A woman should carefully monitor changes in the reproductive system. Its normal functioning ensures the possibility of pregnancy, intimate life and the overall health of the body. Deviations in the cycle and atypical discharge indicate the presence of serious gynecological problems.
A cause for concern should be the appearance of bleeding in the first week after menstruation. This alarming symptom in most cases indicates pathology.
Causes of heaviness in the lower abdomen
This area contains the small and large intestines.
There are many reasons for discomfort. Most often they are associated with inflammation of the mucous membranes, which are caused by various bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Heaviness in the lower abdomen can be caused by a decrease in the production of intestinal enzymes, impaired absorption of food, and infection with helminths. The cause may also be the formation of a hernia, which puts pressure on neighboring tissues and organs. The problem may also be a malfunction of the urinary system, in particular, inflammation of the bladder. In women - organs of the reproductive system: uterus, ovaries.
Causes of age-related bleeding
Bloody discharge that occurs in puberty women a week after menstruation indicates deviations in the regulation of the reproductive system.
The main factors causing DMC during this period:
- Disorder of the hormonal function of the ovaries.
The pathology is caused by the presence of a cyst or a dominant follicle that has not been released; - Neoplasms in the uterus
. - Neurosis.
After prolonged, severe psycho-emotional shocks in girls during puberty, the production of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones is disrupted, which provokes bleeding.
In the category of women of reproductive age, spotting a week after menstruation is most often due to the presence of gynecological diseases.
After 45 years, the pituitary gland stops producing the hormone gonadotropin. Irregular production of this substance can cause bleeding 5-7 days after menstruation.
Overeating as a provoking factor
Often the cause of heaviness in the lower abdomen lies in a violation of the diet, when too much fried, smoked food, as well as alcohol is consumed. Low-alcohol drinks containing carbon dioxide are dangerous. Situations are harmful when a person abstains from food for several hours and then finds himself on a rich feast. A sudden filling of the stomach after 15-20 minutes can result in a feeling of discomfort in both the upper and lower abdomen due to active gas formation. It is difficult for a person to take a deep breath, laugh, or bend over. Symptoms usually go away after a few hours. If they repeat after every meal, this may be a sign of gastrointestinal disease6.
What to do when you overeat
- You need to switch from food to warm tea with mint. You need to drink it slowly - this helps to relax the gastrointestinal tract.
- Do not hold back the belching - this will release excess air from the stomach.
- Under no circumstances should you lie down. Try to maintain an upright position for at least 3 hours.
- It is best to walk slowly at a calm pace for 25-30 minutes. This stimulates the gastrointestinal tract.
- You can chew gum for 15-20 minutes - this activates the digestion process.
- On the Internet you can often find advice to take multienzyme drugs. However, they must be prescribed by a specialist; doctors do not recommend doing this on your own.
The cause of heaviness in the lower abdomen may be overeating. Photo: motortion/Depositphotos
Taking hormonal contraceptives
At the very beginning of taking oral contraceptives, the lower abdomen may ache due to hormonal changes in the body. The pills are started when the previous cycle ends. Typically, pain in the abdominal area is temporary, not very intense and goes away on its own. However, it should be remembered that COCs can cause miscarriage if pregnancy occurs. Therefore, the use of these drugs should always be coordinated with a gynecologist.
This concludes the main physiological causes of pain. Now let's talk about what will require immediate gynecological care and expert commentary.
Heaviness in the lower abdomen in women
Physiological reasons
Many women experience discomfort in this area throughout their lives. Its causes are most often physiological in nature and are associated with changes in the body during the menstrual cycle and the onset of menopause. Heaviness can occur during:
- ovulation in the middle of the cycle due to rupture of the follicle and release of the egg;
- before the onset of menstruation - due to hormonal activity, increased sensitivity;
- in the early stages of pregnancy - due to the implantation of the egg into the lining of the uterus (endometrium);
- during pregnancy - due to the pressure of the uterus on surrounding tissues when it is actively growing.
Diseases of the female genitourinary system
Most often, with various pathologies, a nagging pain is added to the feeling of heaviness. It can occur due to inflammatory processes or neoplasms. The most common diseases are the following:
- cystitis - inflammation of the bladder mucosa caused by infection, a characteristic symptom is frequent urge to urinate and pain in the lower abdomen;
- endometriosis - growth of the uterine mucosa beyond its limits, the main symptom is heaviness in the lower abdomen with discharge that can begin at any period of the cycle, and nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
- the formation of an ovarian cyst is accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the groin area; if left untreated, the cyst may rupture, resulting in acute pain;
- malignant neoplasms of the uterus and ovaries at the initial stage can cause a feeling of heaviness, and then sharp and unexpected pain, discharge with traces of blood;
- various complications during pregnancy - ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption;
- infectious diseases of the uterus, its appendages, peri-uterine tissue - adnexitis, salpingitis, parametritis.
Important! In most cases, a pulling heaviness in the lower abdomen in women is a physiological norm before menstruation, during ovulation, and during the onset of menopause. If it begins to be accompanied by pain or uncharacteristic discharge, you should urgently consult a gynecologist.
Heaviness in the lower abdomen during pregnancy
In the first weeks of bearing a child, discomfort is the norm. The uterus increases in volume. The intestines and bladder, located nearby, experience pressure from her side. Constipation is common and causes heaviness. Painful sensations from the muscles and ligaments may also occur, as they are stretched and can become overstrained. Most often, muscle pain occurs after physical activity (sometimes even when coughing), and goes away after rest.
If the feeling of heaviness is accompanied by noticeable pain that does not go away within several hours, you need to see an obstetrician-gynecologist. Pain may be a sign of early placental abruption or ectopic pregnancy. When there is a threat of miscarriage, the pain is aching, reminiscent of contractions, radiating to the lower back. The pain usually does not go away after taking painkillers. In this case, bloody discharge from the genital tract may be observed.
If heaviness in the lower abdomen in a pregnant woman is accompanied by pain, you need to make an appointment with a gynecologist. Photo: biancoblue / freepik.com
Beginning of pregnancy
If you have early ovulation and your lower abdomen ache 10–14 days after your period, you should think about the possibility of pregnancy. It is on these days that the fertilized egg may attach to the wall of the uterus.
A woman may feel, in addition to nagging pain, slight weakness and observe short-term, small-volume bleeding for 1–3 days (implantation bleeding).
Sometimes, with an unstable cycle, during the last scanty menstruation a girl experiences just implantation bleeding, then after that the stomach will also hurt due to pregnancy.
If you feel pain in your lower abdomen immediately after your period, this may be the beginning of pregnancy. You need to use a test (modern technologies make them hypersensitive and capable of detecting the onset of gestation at the earliest stages). You can donate blood to determine the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a antenatal clinic.
Read about whether it is possible to be pregnant during menstruation and how to distinguish true menstruation.
Heaviness in the lower abdomen in men and women
Intestinal diseases
Constipation
One of the most common pathologies, which in its symptoms is heaviness in the lower abdomen, is chronic constipation. With this disease, the patient has bowel movements less than three times a week. This process is difficult and may not be completed completely. It is the feeling of incomplete bowel movement that patients take for heaviness. There are many reasons for this pathology - diseases of the stomach, liver, gall bladder, obesity, dysfunction of the cardiovascular system, problems with nerve conduction.
Colitis
Inflammation of the colon mucosa, most often occurring due to infection, insufficient blood supply, and poor nutrition. Symptoms are heaviness in the lower abdomen, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, sharp and nagging pain. The disease is both acute and chronic. It is the chronic form that is characterized by a periodic feeling of heaviness².
Enteritis
Inflammation in the small intestine, which leads to degeneration of its mucosa. The reason is infection with bacteria, helminths, and exposure to chemical agents. Heaviness is accompanied by bloating and loose stools. The patient loses weight, complains that his stomach is constantly rumbling and pain appears in the navel area.
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis
Chronic inflammatory process in the large intestine. The reasons for this are not clear enough. Doctors suggest that it lies in specific viruses and bacteria that attack the immune system. Pain similar to contractions, bleeding, and diarrhea are added to the feeling of heaviness.
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix of the cecum can also begin with a feeling of heaviness. Then there is acute pain in the lower abdomen on the right, nausea. Patients feel dizzy and have a fever.
Intestinal colic
Food poisoning and helminth infection can lead to impaired intestinal motility. As a result, severe spasms occur, accompanied by acute pain. A feeling of heaviness occurs with prolonged intestinal colic, when the patient finds it difficult to empty his bowels4.
Important! Most often, discomfort in the intestinal area appears 5-6 days after starting to take antibiotics and cytostatics. Patients report a feeling of fullness. At the same time, loose stools occur, which can last about a week.
Peritoneal diseases
Intestinal adhesions
They arise as a result of gluing of the membranes of the intestinal loops due to trauma, unsuccessful surgical intervention, for example, cesarean section in women. The disease is accompanied by bloating, the stomach becomes heavy, and sharp or aching pain occurs in the intestinal area. The patient suffers from constipation and nausea5.
Peritonitis
A severe and acute inflammatory disease that almost always threatens the patient’s life. Medical assistance must be provided immediately. The cause of the pathology is infection, chemical irritants that enter the abdominal cavity from the stomach. This can occur due to intestinal rupture, perforation of an ulcer, perforation of a tumor, inflammation, or internal bleeding. The first signs are swelling of the peritoneum, a feeling of heaviness, tension and increasing acute pain in the lower abdomen³. The disease develops rapidly, within 1-2 hours, so the patient always needs emergency medical care.
When to see a doctor
Unpleasant sensations can occur after physical activity, sexual intercourse, or eating a large amount of food. If a symptom persists for more than a day, this is a reason to consult a specialist.
Infectious diseases of the pelvic organs
These include gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis. Their cause is damage to the organs of the genitourinary system by various pathological microorganisms. They are united by a characteristic symptom at the initial stage - heaviness in the lower abdomen.
Heaviness in the lower abdomen can be a symptom of many diseases. The doctor performs palpation, prescribes tests and various studies. For Photo: romankosolapov / Depositphotos
Polycystic ovary syndrome
When the endocrine system is disrupted, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) develops. Due to hormonal imbalance in the ovary, not one follicle matures, but several at once. The body’s strength is not enough to complete at least one egg, so everything ends at the maturation stage.
Due to an imbalance of hormones and an “overcrowded” ovary, the cycle is disrupted, ovulation does not occur, after menstruation, the lower abdomen feels tight and nauseous (pain pain can accompany the entire menstrual cycle), mood and weight changes, and pregnancy does not occur.
How to get rid of heaviness in the lower abdomen
The patient will not be able to diagnose himself based solely on the symptom of heaviness in the lower abdomen, since we are talking about damage to the internal organs. Moreover, you should not prescribe any medications to yourself. Often people do not realize the seriousness of the situation and put off visiting a doctor. Meanwhile, we may be talking about an oncological disease, in the treatment of which early diagnosis is important. Therefore, when the first warning signs appear, consult a doctor.
Is it possible to relieve discomfort with a heating pad?
Doctors strictly prohibit applying a heating pad to the sore area or warming it with compresses.
You do not know what is currently happening in the internal organs. Due to exposure to heat, bleeding or activation of the infectious process can be provoked. Video 1. What hides the pain in the lower abdomen. Source: “Health-Saving Channel”
Inflammatory processes in the pelvis
If it hurts on the left or right side after menstruation, it is worth thinking about inflammatory diseases of the reproductive sphere: adnexitis (inflammation of the ovary and tube), oophoritis (isolated inflammation of the ovary), salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tube).
Neglect of these diseases will lead to serious complications, in most cases requiring surgical interventions. Therefore, with an increase in body temperature, lethargy and fatigue, menstrual irregularities, if your period has passed, but the lower abdomen still feels tight. It is worth seeking help from a specialist.
Diagnostics
You should contact a therapist. He will refer you to more specialized specialists. Basically, patients are received and examined by a gastroenterologist. If women are suspected of having diseases of the reproductive system, they are examined by a gynecologist. The doctor interviews the patient, palpates the abdomen, and orders blood, urine, and stool tests. A study of the microflora of the urogenital tract is being carried out. Treatment cannot be prescribed without instrumental examination of internal organs. Most often used:
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity (often with duplex scanning of blood vessels);
- plain radiograph;
- endoscopy;
- gastroscopy;
- colonoscopy;
- CT scan of the abdominal aorta.
Ultrasound is a mandatory test for heaviness in the lower abdomen. Photo: freepik.com
Treatment
Since heaviness in the lower abdomen can be caused by various diseases, there is no clear treatment program. It depends on the diagnosed disease and the cause of its occurrence.
Infectious inflammations are treated with antibiotics. If the cause is spasms, antispasmodics are prescribed. Intestinal diseases in most cases require complex therapy. It includes taking enzymes and drugs that help protect and restore the mucous membrane. To restore the intestinal microflora, probiotics and synbiotics are needed. Corticosteroid hormones and cytostatics¹ can be used. The patient is recommended to normalize his diet, go on a certain diet, organize fasting days, and walk a lot.
Surgical treatment is performed in complex clinical cases when conservative therapy is not effective. This mainly concerns the removal of tumors and vascular pathologies of the abdominal cavity.
Sources
- Baranskaya E.K. Abdominal pain: clinical approach to the patient and treatment algorithm // Farmateka. - No. 14. - 2005. - P. 107-111.
- Gastroenterology. National leadership / ed. Ivashkina V. T., Lapina T. L. - M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2022. - 464 p.
- Ivashkin V. T., Sheptulin A. A. Abdominal pain. - M.: MEDpress-inform, 2012. - 110 p.
- Nogaller A. Abdominal pain (from symptom to nosological form) // Doctor. - No. 4. - 2005. - P. 85-87.
- Osipenko M.F., Kholin S.I., Ryzhichkina A.N. Chronic abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome // Attending physician. — No. 2. - 2011. - pp. 28-33.
- Russian Journal of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Coloproctology // Clinical recommendations of the Russian Gastroenterological Association for the management of patients with abdominal pain. - No. 4. - 2015. - pp. 71-80.
