What Causes Lower Abdominal Pain in Females?

It’s common for women to experience mild discomfort during menstruation or ovulation, persistent, severe, or unusual lower abdominal pain should never be ignored. Such pain can sometimes indicate underlying medical conditions that require professional evaluation and treatment.
 
Common causes of lower abdominal pain include urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, and endometriosis. In some cases, gastrointestinal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or appendicitis may be responsible. Other potential causes include fibroids, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and complications related to the reproductive organs. More rarely, lower abdominal pain may signal a life-threatening condition like an ectopic pregnancy, which needs immediate attention.
 
If your pain is accompanied by symptoms like fever, vomiting, heavy bleeding, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or occurs during pregnancy, it’s important to seek prompt medical care.

Yes, urgent care centers are generally equipped to evaluate and manage many common causes of pelvic-related lower abdominal pain in women, especially for non-life-threatening conditions. They can provide initial assessments, perform basic tests, and offer treatment for issues like urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, and some less severe pelvic infections.

However, urgent care has limitations and is not a substitute for a gynecologist or the emergency room in all cases. While they can perform urine tests and basic blood work, most urgent care centers do not have on-site ultrasound or advanced diagnostic tools that are often necessary to pinpoint the cause of pelvic pain. Conditions such as ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancies, or appendicitis require the immediate resources of a hospital’s emergency department.

You should visit an emergency room if your pain is severe, sudden, and accompanied by symptoms like high fever, fainting, or abnormal bleeding. For ongoing or chronic pelvic pain, the best course of action is to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or a gynecologist.

Common symptoms that often occur alongside lower abdominal pain include abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting—sometimes unrelated to your menstrual cycle. Changes in menstrual patterns, such as heavier or lighter periods or unusually painful periods, are also frequently reported.
 
In addition, you might notice gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, or changes in appetite. Urinary symptoms such as a frequent urge to urinate, pain or burning during urination, or difficulty passing urine can also be present. If your pain is related to an infection, you may experience fever, chills, and a general feeling of unwellness.
 
Other possible symptoms include pain during sexual intercourse, unusual vaginal discharge, lower back pain, pelvic tenderness, or swelling in the lower abdomen. Paying close attention to these symptoms—and sharing them with your provider—can help our team at Eastway Medical Clinic determine the underlying cause and create a personalized treatment plan for you.

About halfway through your menstrual cycle, a mature follicle in your ovary ruptures to release an egg. This natural event can sometimes cause mild bleeding or fluid release, which may irritate the lining of your abdomen (the peritoneum), leading to pain or discomfort.
 
What Does Ovulation Pain Feel Like?

The pain is usually sharp or crampy and felt on one side of your lower abdomen—depending on which ovary is releasing the egg that month.
It can switch sides from month to month.

The sensation usually lasts from a few hours up to two days.

Other factors, such as minor swelling of the ovary before ovulation or the movement of the egg through the fallopian tube, can also contribute to this discomfort.
 
When to Seek Medical Advice: Ovulation-related pain is generally mild and temporary. However, if you experience severe or persistent pain, it could be a sign of another underlying condition. At Eastway Medical Clinic, our providers are here to help. If you’re concerned about pelvic pain or notice any unusual symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment for a thorough evaluation.
 
Your health and comfort are important to us at Eastway Medical Clinic. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding your reproductive health. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1220 Eastway Drive Charlotte, NC 28205. We serve patients from Charlotte NC, Newell NC, Mint Hill NC, Matthews NC, Allen NC, Harrisburg NC, and surrounding cities.