What Causes Lower Abdominal Pain in Females?

Lower abdominal pain in women can be concerning and sometimes signals a serious underlying condition. Our experienced healthcare providers follow a thorough and systematic approach to ensure you receive the best possible care when you visit our clinic with this symptom.

Comprehensive Medical History
When you arrive with lower abdominal pain, our clinicians begin by taking a detailed medical history. We ask about the onset, location, and character of your pain, as well as any associated symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, or urinary complaints. We also inquire about your menstrual cycle, sexual activity, contraceptive use, and any previous medical or surgical history. This important information helps us determine whether your symptoms might be related to gynecological or non-gynecological causes.

Focused Physical Examination
Next, our providers perform a careful physical exam. This may include gently pressing on your abdomen to identify any areas of tenderness, tightness, or other signs that could indicate a more urgent condition. When appropriate, a pelvic examination may be performed to check for tenderness, abnormal discharge, or masses, which could point to issues such as infections or ovarian cysts.

Onsite Diagnostic Testing
To further investigate the cause of your pain, Pine Knob Urgent Care suggests a range of diagnostic tests right onsite. Urinalysis can help detect urinary tract infections, and pregnancy testing is performed for all women of childbearing age to rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening. Blood tests may be ordered to look for infection or anemia, and if needed, we can arrange for imaging studies such as an ultrasound to assess for conditions like ovarian torsion, cysts, or appendicitis.

By combining a thorough history, targeted physical exam, and appropriate diagnostic testing, we can quickly differentiate between minor causes of abdominal pain and those that require urgent attention.

Chronic lower abdominal pain in females can be distressing and disruptive to daily life. Our experienced medical team is committed to providing compassionate, thorough care to help identify the underlying cause of your pain and develop an effective management plan tailored to your individual needs.

Our Approach: Your visit begins with a comprehensive clinical evaluation. Our providers will take the time to review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and, if needed, order diagnostic tests. This helps us pinpoint common causes of chronic lower abdominal pain, such as endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, interstitial cystitis, or musculoskeletal issues.

Personalized Management: Once a diagnosis is established, we work with you to create a treatment plan that targets both your symptoms and the underlying condition. Our approach may include:

Lifestyle & Dietary Guidance: If gastrointestinal issues are identified, we provide advice on diet modifications and prescribe specific medications as needed.

Physical Therapy Referrals: For pain linked to musculoskeletal or pelvic floor dysfunction, we can connect you with local physical therapy specialists.
Emotional & Psychological Support: Chronic pain can take a toll on mental health. We can provide resources and referrals for counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy if anxiety or depression are contributing factors.

Specialist Coordination: If your condition requires more advanced care, such as minimally invasive procedures or ongoing specialist management, we can facilitate referrals to trusted local gynecologists, gastroenterologists, or pain specialists.

Understanding the potential digestive causes can help you know when to seek prompt medical attention.

Common Digestive Causes:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This condition often leads to abdominal cramping. Constipation: Difficulty passing stool can cause discomfort or aching pain in the lower abdomen.

Gastroenteritis (“Stomach Flu”): This infection can result in lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may cause chronic pain, diarrhea, and sometimes blood in the stool.

Food Intolerances: Sensitivities to foods like lactose or gluten can trigger abdominal discomfort and bloating.

Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of small pouches in the colon can cause significant pain, especially on the lower left side of the abdomen.

Intestinal Obstruction: Severe constipation, adhesions, or hernias can lead to blockage, resulting in severe pain, bloating, and vomiting.

It’s important to note that many digestive symptoms can overlap with urinary or reproductive system issues. Persistent or severe pain—especially if accompanied by fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, or weight loss—should not be ignored.

Early evaluation is key to ensuring the best possible outcome and peace of mind.

Lower abdominal pain is a symptom that can sometimes be caused by pelvic infections, also known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID develops when bacteria travel upward from the vagina or cervix into the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. The most common culprits include sexually transmitted bacteria like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but other bacteria normally found in the vagina can sometimes be responsible as well.

When these bacteria reach the upper reproductive organs, the body responds with inflammation. This inflammation leads to swelling, redness, and sometimes the buildup of pus or fluid within the pelvic organs. Such irritation and swelling can stretch the sensitive lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum, and trigger pain signals—often felt as crampy or aching discomfort in the lower abdomen. The infection can also cause spasms in the uterus and fallopian tubes, making the pain worse.

In more severe cases, pelvic infections may lead to complications such as abscesses (pockets of infection), scarring, or adhesions (bands of scar tissue), all of which can intensify pain and even affect fertility. Pain with movement, intercourse, or urination, as well as symptoms like fever, abnormal vaginal discharge, or irregular bleeding, are important warning signs.

Prompt evaluation and treatment are essential to prevent complications and protect your reproductive health. Visit us for expert, compassionate care when you need it most. For more information, contact us. We are conveniently located at 6310 Sashabaw Rd, Suite C, Clarkston, MI 48346. We serve patients from Clarkston MI, Waterford MI, Pontiac MI, Auburn Hills MI, Oxford MI, Rochester MI, Rochester Hills MI, and surrounding areas.