Abdominal Pain - Female

Symptoms

DEFINITION

  • Pain or discomfort located between the bottom of the rib cage and the groin crease

General Information

  • There are multiple causes of abdominal pain. In women the range of diagnoses needs to be broadened to include problems related to pregnancy and the female organs.
  • The possibility of pregnancy must be considered in all women of childbearing age.
  • Abdominal pain in the elderly carries with it a higher risk of serious illness.

Top Causes of Abdominal Pain in Women Younger than 50 Years of Age

  • Appendicitis
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Endometriosis
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Nonspecific abdominal pain
  • Ovarian cyst
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Peptic ulcer disease
  • Spontaneous abortion

Top Causes of Abdominal Pain in Women Older than 50 Years of Age

  • Appendicitis
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Diverticulitis
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Peptic ulcer disease

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call 911 Now (you may need an ambulance) If
  • Passed out (fainted)
  • Very weak (can't stand)

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
  • You feel weak or very sick
  • Severe pain
  • Constant abdominal pain for more than 2 hours
  • Vomiting blood or black (coffee-grounds)
  • Vomiting bile (bright yellow or green)
  • Vomiting and abdomen is more swollen than usual
  • Blood in bowel movements (black/tarry or red)
  • Recent injury to the abdomen
  • Fever of 103° F (39.4° C) or higher
  • Fever of 100.5° F (38.1° C) or higher and you:
    • Are over 60 years of age OR
    • Have diabetes mellitus or a weakened immune system (e.g., HIV positive, cancer chemotherapy, chronic steroid treatment, splenectomy) OR
    • Are bedridden (e.g., nursing home patient, stroke, chronic illness, recovering from surgery)
  • Whites of the eyes have turned yellow (jaundice)

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
  • You think you need to be seen
  • Moderate or mild pain comes and goes (cramps), but lasts greater than 24 hours
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge (e.g., bad odor; yellow, gray or green in color)
  • Age greater than 60 years
  • Pregnant or could be pregnant (e.g., missed last menstrual period)
  • Blood in urine

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
  • You have other questions or concerns
  • Abdominal pains are a recurrent problem
  • Pain with sexual intercourse

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD ABDOMINAL PAIN

  1. Reassurance: A mild stomachache can be caused by indigestion, gas pains or overeating. Sometimes a stomachache signals the onset of a vomiting illness due to a viral gastroenteritis ("stomach flu").
  2. Rest: Lie down and rest until you feel better.
  3. Fluids: Sip clear fluids only (e.g., water, flat soft drinks or 1/2 strength fruit juice) until the pain has been gone for over 2 hours. Then slowly return to a regular diet.
  4. Diet:
    • Slowly advance diet from clear liquids to a bland diet
    • Avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages
    • Avoid greasy or fatty foods.
  5. Pass A BM: Sit on the toilet and try to pass a bowel movement (BM). Do not strain. This may relieve the pain if it is due to constipation or impending diarrhea.
  6. Avoid Medicines: Any drug could irritate the stomach lining and make the pain worse, especially an anti-inflammatory medicine such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Do not take any pain medicines, fever medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
  7. Expected Course: With harmless causes, the pain is usually better or goes away within 2 hours. With viral gastroenteritis ("stomach flu"), belly cramps may precede each bout of vomiting or diarrhea and may last 2-3 days. With serious causes (such as appendicitis) the pain becomes constant and more severe.
  8. Pregnancy test, when in doubt:
    • If there is any possibility of pregnancy, obtain and use a urine pregnancy test from the local drug store.
    • Follow the instructions included in the package.
  9. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Abdominal pain is constant and present for more than 2 hours
    • Abdominal pains come and go, and are present for more than 24 hours
    • You are pregnant
    • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Photo Example

Anatomy - Gastrointestinal

First Aid - Shock

  • Lie down with the feet elevated (Reason: counteract shock).

Note: In this illustration the individual in shock is laying down and his feet have been placed up on a stack of blankets.

Source: LMS Inc.

Copyright 2000-2009. Self Care Decisions, LLC. Used by Permission.

Author and Senior Reviewer: David A. Thompson, M.D. Clinical content review provided by Senior Reviewer and Healthpoint Medical Network.

Last Review Date: 1/4/2010

Last Revised: 12/20/2009 10:02:27 AM

Content Set: Adult HouseCalls Symptom Checker

Version Year: 2011

Portions Copyright 2000-2010 Self Care Decisions LLC; Copyright LMS, Inc.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Instructions: The first purpose of Adult HouseCalls Symptom Checker is to help you determine how sick you are and if you need to call your doctor. The second purpose is to help you treat yourself at home when it is safe to do so. Your doctor's advice and your good judgment should always take precedence over information in these topics.

When to Call Your Doctor

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David A Thompson, MD is the author of Adult HouseCalls Symptom Checker. He is a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He has a national reputation in telephone triage, decision support tools, medical information technology and quality improvement. Adult HouseCalls Symptom Checker is a decision support tool for adults that has been reviewed and approved by adult physicians.

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Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker is a parent guide for treating your child at home, calling your child's doctor or seeking immediate medical attention. Developed by Dr. Barton Schmitt, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician on staff at Children's Hospital Colorado. Dr. Schmitt has developed other health tools for parents, including the 3rd edition of Your Child’s Health (available in bookstores) and KidsDoc, a new iPhone and Android app for parents (available online).

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