Severe pain in the lower abdomen on the left in women: reasons, which doctor to contact, treatment

What can indicate severe pain in the lower abdomen on the left in women? A similar question may be of interest to every representative of the beautiful half of humanity. Of course, not only women, but also a strong half of humanity are subjected to such a test (sometimes not so easy). But the former are faced with such a problem more often. As a rule, with such symptoms, they turn to the antenatal clinic. At the same time, this may be a sign of the development of another pathology. In particular, we are talking about the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, urinary system, etc.

From an anatomical point of view, in the region of the left side is the left kidney, the ureter, the just mentioned spleen, part of the small intestinal tract, including a segment of the descending colon and its sigmoid region. Such pain can be associated with their pathological condition.

Nature of manifestations

It can be sharp pains in the lower abdomen on the left in women or bursting. In any case, they can be of a different nature, depending on the cause of their cause. In this case, the syndrome after injury is significantly different from the physiological point of view from the pain associated with the pathological condition of the internal organs. The appearance of the first signs must be timely stopped by taking painkillers.

If the pain is caused by pathology of the internal organs, then it is necessary to act here with a high degree of caution. In this case, it is possible to exert a cooling effect on a part of the body from the affected area.

As for the nature itself, here we can distinguish the following classification of pain:

• stupid;
• pulling;
• aching;
• constant;
• cramping;
• acute;
• weak;
• intensive;
• cutting;
• pricking.

There may also be throbbing pain in the lower left abdomen in women. In this case, the appearance of the symptom directly depends on the etiology of the pathology. But in addition to their nature, it is necessary to pay attention to the frequency of occurrence. The syndrome can occur on an ongoing basis, occur periodically or even manifest itself in episodes.

In addition, the nature of the pain is already a clear diagnostic indicator, which indicates a malfunction in the body. In particular, sharp pain may indicate the development of any dangerous pathology, which requires immediate surgical intervention.

Causes of pain

Why, in fact, does pain appear in the lower abdomen on the left side in women? It is worth noting that the reasons for this physiological state are quite diverse. As a rule, the appearance of pain is a natural reaction of the female body to changes that are not inherent in nature and occur against the background of the development of pathologies.

It is not by chance that medical workers insist that self-medication is by no means unacceptable! Especially with acute pain in the lower left abdomen in women. Such therapy in many cases muffles pain, but does not eliminate the cause of the disease. In this case, there is a high risk of missing a serious disease that can provoke severe complications.

In other words, pain is an alarm that arises from various circumstances:

• The inflammatory process of tissues in the lower abdomen.
• Dystrophic changes.
• The disturbed blood circulation of an organ or its site.
• Intracellular metabolism is impaired.

But in addition to this, it is worth considering that the appearance of a pain syndrome can be associated with natural physiological processes in the body that occur within normal limits. This condition does not need treatment - it is only necessary to wait until the process is completed, after which everything will return to normal. As a striking example, the menstrual cycle, which some girls or women perceive painfully.

Gynecological group

In women, acute pain in the lower left abdomen can occur due to a number of problems in the gynecological part. In this case, they experience not only painful sensations, often there are additional symptoms:

• menstrual irregularities;
• various discharge from the vagina (purulent, bloody and other nature);
• previous surgery.

In this case, pathological conditions, which are mainly characteristic of the female body, can occur in one of two forms:

• Sharp. In this case, sharp and cutting pain appears in the lower abdomen.
• Chronic Here the nature of the pain syndrome is somewhat different: dull, aching, pulling.

Unlike dull pain in the lower left abdomen in women, the appearance of “acute” sensations requires urgent and timely hospitalization. In this case, every minute is precious!

Ectopic (ectopic) pregnancy

When pregnancy proceeds under normal conditions, a fertilized female cell is fixed on the surface of the endometrium of the genital organ. However, if the process is ectopic, then the implementation is carried out in other places:

• ovary;
• fallopian tube;
• abdominal cavity.

This condition is manifested by a strong paroxysmal pain syndrome. Over time, the embryo, developing, increases in size, which ultimately leads to rupture of the fallopian tube. In this case, the expectant mother may feel sharp and sharp pain in the lower abdomen. And if the left pipe has suffered, then the sensations will be localized precisely in this area.

Since an ectopic pregnancy is always accompanied by bleeding in the abdominal cavity, the woman needs immediate hospitalization!

Intestinal tract

Often, it is because of the pathologies of the sigmoid colon that severe pains appear in the lower abdomen on the left in women. The S-shaped form helps to delay the movement of feces, which is due to the requirements of Mother Nature herself. However, due to this physiological feature, a disease may develop.

The causes of pain are very diverse, but the symptomatology in some cases is similar:

• Stool disorder against diarrhea.
• Before bowel movements, pain intensifies.
• Feces change their composition: you can notice the presence of blood clots or mucus, or all together.
• Bad smell of intestinal contents.
• General malaise, weakness of the body.

Usually, the pathological state of the sigmoid part of the intestine also passes to its direct section. But this happens far from always and there are exceptions to the rules.

Infectious diseases

The causative agents of these diseases with their waste products are able to poison the entire body and, in particular, the terminal section of the intestine. It may even reach the development of erosion of the mucous membrane. In this case, the development of a disease gives itself out as cramping pains in the lower left abdomen in women. Symptoms that correspond to intestinal infections also appear.

As a result of poisoning the female body, body temperature rises, signs of intoxication begin to appear:

• weakness;
• drowsiness;
• headache.

To reduce the risk of catching any infection, basic hygiene rules should be followed. Wash hands before eating, as well as vegetables and fruits, drink mostly boiled water. An ailment present in the body must be treated, and the sooner it begins, the better. Otherwise, any disease becomes chronic, which is not too good.

It is worth noting that some people in whose body the pathogenic microflora have settled do not necessarily become ill: they become bacterial carriers or sources of infection.

Chronic non-ulcer sigmoiditis

The reasons for the development of this disease are also different:

• allergy;
• infections
• dietary failure;
• heredity;
• alcohol addiction;
• the presence of gastrointestinal diseases;
• taking antibiotics for a long time.

Ultimately, it all ends with the fact that the intestinal microflora undergoes changes, and not for the better. Bursting pains begin in the lower abdomen on the left, which sink into the inguinal region and perineum. With sudden movements, as well as physical exertion, they are amplified. The rest of the time, the syndrome remains mild.

This disease differs from all others in that it is accompanied by constipation. They can be constant or alternate with diarrhea. Pathology can cause serious complications, up to the complete depletion of the nervous system, the development of a depressive state, and the appearance of phobias. When the cause is eliminated, the disease itself is removed.

Spleen problems

It was not just that at the beginning of the article there was a mention of an unpaired parenchymal organ called the spleen - it is just located in the left hypochondrium. In this regard, probable problems on her part should not be discounted. And like any other organ, this one can also have all sorts of troubles.

When the lower abdomen is aching on the left in women, the cause may be in one or another pathology:

• Abscess - the pain is spastic in nature. Appearing in the left hypochondrium, it spreads to the left side of the chest and goes to the lower abdomen.
• Inversion - in this case, the pain appears under the ribs on the left side, falling down to the abdominal region. Gradually, the woman's condition begins to worsen.
• Lymphocytic leukemia, myelogenous leukemia - the pain appears after eating, and also if you press on the area of ​​the spleen. Over time, the syndrome begins to intensify.

There are several stages of lymphoid and myeloid leukemia. A woman begins to feel pain syndrome on the second and it increases with the onset of the third. Moreover, its localization occurs not only in the abdomen: the lymph nodes of the groin, joints and bones of the pelvis hurt.

Inversion of the spleen can occur due to stretching and lengthening of the fascial ligaments that hold this organ. Provoking factors can be not only injuries, heredity can also not be ruled out. A sharp pain in the lower abdomen on the left in women, which descends into the inguinal region, usually occurs due to the twisting of blood and lymph vessels, as well as nerves. The syndrome is associated with constipation, vomiting, excessive gas formation in the intestines. And the greater the angle of twist, the stronger the pain. In addition, this factor affects the urgency of surgical intervention.

With an abscess, minor inflammatory foci can pass on their own, without requiring treatment. However, in the case of an extensive lesion, purulent exudate enters the abdominal cavity, which leads to peritonitis, which is characterized by severe pain syndrome on the left lower side of the woman's body. There may also be other concomitant signs of an inflammatory process.

Diagnostic research

Why does it hurt in the lower left abdomen in women? Given the variety of causes that cause pain in the lower left peritoneum, one can guess that there are no fewer diagnostic methods. As a rule, research in this area is carried out by specialists in gynecology and gastroenterology. But which doctor should be consulted for pain on the left? First of all, you need to visit a gynecologist to confirm or deny the development of any specialized disease.

To begin with, the specialist conducts an oral survey, simultaneously making up the patient’s history in writing. At the same time, all complaints from her words are recorded. It is necessary to clarify whether any disease is present at a given time or was in the past.

To further identify the occurrence of periodic pain in the lower left abdomen in women, they are usually sent for bimanual examination and examination using special mirrors. This will reveal the presence of a pathological condition of the organs of the female reproductive system. In addition, it is necessary to take OAM, OAC, analysis for hCG, sowing cervical mucus.

The specificity of the work of a gastroenterologist is to assess the condition of the intestine. For this, other studies are already being conducted - irrigoscopy and colonoscopy. As for other methods for identifying a particular pathology, the main studies are usually prescribed:

• X-ray of the peritoneum in a different position - on the back, side, standing.
• Ultrasound
• CT
• MRI

In some cases (if there are problems with urination), an urologist or a nephrologist may be required to make an accurate diagnosis.

Features of laparoscopy

It is worth a few words to say about this modern procedure. Today this technique is very popular in many countries of the world, including Russia. This is due to a high degree of information and accessibility. This operation (in fact, this procedure is) helps to identify all the causes of pain in the lower left abdomen in women.

The procedure is performed using an endoscopic instrument called a laparoscope. At the same time, its capabilities are much wider than conducting a traditional surgical incision. This is not only a diagnostic study: if necessary, treatment is immediately carried out.

The essence of the operation is as follows: small holes are made on the front wall of the abdominal cavity with a size of no more than 2-4 mm. The device itself is equipped with lenses that provide high visual clarity of the investigated organ. There is also a video camera - the image is displayed on the monitor.

What can be done?

In medical language, abdominal pain is commonly referred to as an “acute abdomen”. In no case should you ignore this condition, since in some cases it is an alarming signal of the female body, which can indicate a serious pathology. Without proper diagnosis and the course of therapy, the patient's condition will begin to deteriorate, which can lead to more dangerous complications. In this case, the probability of a fatal outcome cannot be ruled out.

But if there is pain in the lower abdomen on the left, what should I do? If they are sharp or sharp, appropriate measures must be taken: call an ambulance team. Even if the general condition of the woman is satisfactory, you do not need to close your eyes for pain, in this case you need to visit a family or district doctor as soon as possible. But in no case do not hesitate!

As we know, self-medication will only be harmful, but something can be done. To endow pain, you should go to bed and take a pose in which the sensations are not so disturbing - on the stomach, on the side, with your legs pressed to your chest and other options. Severe pain can be relieved if ice is applied to this place (in a container, container, tissue). This will also reduce the speed of the inflammatory process.

At the same time, when the cause of the pain is unknown and there are no obvious signs of inflammation, ice, on the contrary, can be dangerous. Since it leads to a narrowing of blood vessels, then with certain pathologies, things can end badly. In this regard, with cramps in the lower abdomen on the left in women, it is imperative to wait for a doctor.

Therapy

Treatment in this case is etiological in nature. In other words, all efforts are aimed at eliminating the causes that provoked the development of pathology. For this, therapy includes taking medications from various pharmaceutical groups:

• Antispasmodics - serve to eliminate spasms of the intestines, kidneys, ureters, genitals.
• Analgesics - with their help, strong pain syndromes and associated discomfort are removed.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate the inflammatory process and pain.
• Antibiotics, including antifungal and antiviral agents, are used when there is an infection.
• Diuretics - relevant in the presence of dense formations in the cavity of the organs (kidney stones). However, if their size is large, then the use of these drugs is fully prohibited due to the huge risk.
• Antipyretic drugs - indicated at elevated body temperature (drugs based on metamizole sodium, acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, ibuprofen).

If severe pain in the lower abdomen on the left in women is provoked by a malignant neoplasm (tumor) or if there is a diverticulitis, adhesions, appendicitis, peritonitis, cancer, then surgery can not be done. The nature of such a procedure is mainly determined only by a specialist!

Most common disease

Since the case concerned pains in the left abdomen, it is worth considering the most common disease, which in terms of frequency of diagnosis is in first place in the ranking of inflammation of the female genital area. We are talking about an ailment called "salpingoophoritis" or "adnexitis" (this is one and the same).

Under this marvelous name lies an insidious process affecting the appendages of the uterus - the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments. And yet, this is also the reason that a woman experiences pain on the left side of the peritoneum in its lower part.

It is clearly not worth ignoring the symptoms and treatment of adnexitis in order to avoid serious consequences. The signs of an acute form are as follows:

• High body temperature - from 38 ° to 38.5 ° (lasts a long time).
• Cutting pain in the lower abdomen, aggravated by filling the intestines.
• Headache, excessive sweating against a background of general malaise.
• Purulent discharge in advanced cases.
• Impaired urination.

If not treated, the disease goes into a chronic stage:

• Ailments appear undulating.
• The presence of mucous, purulent discharge with an unpleasant odor.
• Menstrual irregularities.

It is much more difficult to get rid of a chronic disease, therefore it is better to deal with it in a timely manner. And the sooner an ailment is detected, the better the outcome of therapy.

Acute treatment

The treatment of the acute form of the disease consists in the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, which are designed to stop the unwanted internal process. As a rule, to prescribe the symptoms and treat adnexitis, doctors prescribe these medications:

• Indomethacin;
• Diclofenac
• "Longidaza".

These drugs provide tissue repair. However, they are not able to stop the spread of infection. For this, doctors usually prescribe a course of taking other drugs:

• "Metronidazole".
• "Azithromycin".
• Ceftriaxone.
• Tsiprolet.
• Sumamed.
• Amoxiclav.
• "Genferon" (immunomodulating action).
• "Digital".

Just these drugs are able to destroy the pathogenic microflora. If the disease is in an advanced stage (there is suppuration), then in this case the operation is indicated. An abscess is opened, the internal cavity is washed from the remnants of the purulent mass, after which sanitation is done.

Chronic stage

With this form of the disease, first of all, the acute period is stopped by injections, drugs, candles. But when the disease "subsides", weakening its onslaught, you can use a more gentle therapy:

• Autohemotherapy - the patient’s own blood is taken from the venous network, after which it is administered intramuscularly. This allows you to activate the immune system, while the disease is in a sluggish stage with frequent relapses.
• Physiotherapy - as a rule, ultraviolet irradiation is prescribed in order to increase the strength of the immune system of the female body. In addition, electrophoresis using iodine, potassium, zinc, magnesium.
• Magnetotherapy - the Almag device shows good results. With its help, not only the inflammatory process is eliminated, but also the pain is removed.

Along with this, vitamins are taken, it is necessary to observe the diet, do strengthening physical exercises.

Finally

The appearance of severe pain in the lower abdomen on the left in women is not a sentence. The main thing is to seek medical help in a timely manner, in particular this applies to cases where pain is felt in acute form.

And as previously mentioned, in no case do not self-medicate! Otherwise, such "therapy" can lead to dangerous complications.