What Could Cause Lower Abdominal Pain Without a Period?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

Lower abdominal pain when you're not on your period can be due to many causes including gynecologic or gastrointestinal conditions.

Explanation

If you have lower abdominal pain even when you are not menstruating, it might be due to several different reasons. Gynecological conditions like ovulation pain, ovarian cysts, or uterine fibroids can all cause lower abdominal pain that occurs outside of your menstrual period. Infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or pelvic inflammatory disease might also be responsible. Sometimes, digestive issues such as constipation or food intolerances can create similar symptoms. Additionally, appendicitis, kidney stones, normal pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy (a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention) can also cause lower abdominal pain without being related to menstruation. Ultimately, there are many causes of pain in the lower abdomen. Paying attention to when the pain happens, how long it lasts, and other associated symptoms changes in stool habits or fever can help a healthcare provider figure out what is causing your pain. If the pain is severe, persistent, or impacting your daily life, it's a good idea to talk with a doctor.

(References)

Luscombe GM, Markham R, Judio M, Grigoriu A, Fraser IS. Abdominal bloating: an under-recognized endometriosis symptom. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2009 Dec;31(12):1159-71. doi: 10.1016/s1701-2163(16)34377-8. PMID: 20085682.
Heitkemper MM, Chang L. Do fluctuations in ovarian hormones affect gastrointestinal symptoms in women with irritable bowel syndrome? Gend Med. 2009;6 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):152-67. doi: 10.1016/j.genm.2009.03.004. PMID: 19406367; PMCID: PMC3322543.
Oladosu FA, Tu FF, Farhan S, Garrison EF, Steiner ND, Roth GE, Hellman KM. Abdominal skeletal muscle activity precedes spontaneous menstrual cramping pain in primary dysmenorrhea. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jul;219(1):91.e1-91.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.04.050. Epub 2018 May 5. PMID: 29733841; PMCID: PMC6741772.

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