They are often reductively referred to as “belly or lower abdomen cramps”. Which means everything and nothing. The pains in the lower abdomen can be of different nature and manifest themselves in different ways.

• Lower abdominal pain symptoms
• Possible causes
• Main remedies
• Lower abdominal pain and pregnancy
• When to see your doctor

But, above all, they have multiple possible causes : in the lower abdomen there are:

• The last part of the intestine ;
• the genital region;
• muscle bands;
• the urinary system.

In order to better understand – and provide more accurate information to the doctor to whom we will refer if the symptoms are severe – we try to investigate what are the possible causes and also identify what may be the main remedies.

Lower abdominal pain symptoms

Abdominal pain (“pains under the belly”) is a common complaint. The area affected by pain can be in the center, in the lower right abdomen or lower left abdomen or in the so-called very low abdomen, of a pelvic nature , sometimes involving the back with lower back pain , between the lobar and sacral area.

In most cases it is a mild and temporary problem, but if it persists for entire days or worsens over time, it could be connected to an important pathology and investigated by the doctor.

The pain may be accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal burning especially during urination, abdominal and lower abdomen swelling, fever, back pain, pelvic pain.

Lower abdominal pain: possible causes

To treat pain in the lower abdomen it is advisable to trace the precise cause , because it could also be a very serious pathology for which surgical intervention is required.

The possible causes, the most frequent, are attributable to these factors:

• Intestinal problems : constipation , intestinal blockage, irritable bowel syndrome , Crohn’s disease .
• Gynecological or menstrual disorders : premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis , dysmenorrhea , ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease
• Urinary tract infections , cystitis , stones.
• Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
• Inguinal hernia , especially for men, or the more or less substantial leakage of bowels from the hernial cavity (located in the inguinal region); the leak in severe cases is visible in the groin, and may or may not be painful
• Abdominal aneurysm .

Read also Nutrition for irritable colon 

Pain in the lower abdomen: main remedies

It should be reiterated that for the correct therapy of pain in the lower abdomen , a medical diagnosis that goes back to the precise cause is essential. Whether it is discomfort, swelling, cramps or burning, if they persist and are not connected to constipation problems, it is advisable to investigate carefully.

Once the cause for the pain in the lower abdomen has been identified, remedies (pharmacological if necessary, or natural) can be used to support the treatment.

Some specific remedies for lower abdominal pain are:

• For appendicitis and inguinal hernia : if the inflammation is acute, surgery is required , following which rest and the use of a containment sheath is recommended , which helps to support the tissues and protect from possible efforts, sometimes even a simple sneeze can be harmful. Massaging the operated part with St. John’s Wort oil is useful for absorbing the scar, preventing adhesions, keeping the skin soft and anti-inflammatory.
• For menstrual pain : a hot herbal tea with mallow or lemon balm , and at the same time long-term remedies with supplementation of magnesium , evening primrose or borage oil and chaste tree .
• For urinary infections : antibiotics in extreme cases, or “supportive” remedies such as cranberry, or Cranberry , D-Mannose which also acts as a preventive and bearberry , with disinfectant and antibacterial properties.
• For intestinal problems : therapy based on targeted and specific lactic ferments , prebiotics such as inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides and probiotics , which enrich the intestinal bacterial flora, may be necessary. An adequate diet, rich in fiber and water helps to promote intestinal peristalsis. In the most insidious cases, with rather serious constipation , in agreement with the doctor, remedies such as senna , aloe , frangula can be a temporary solution to soften the stool and facilitate the evacuation.

Lower abdominal pain and pregnancy

It may happen that at the beginning of pregnancy you suffer from pain in the lower abdomen, pelvic pain . It can manifest itself as pains or cramps of an intermittent nature. Generally they are discomfort due to the adaptation of the body to the presence of the fetus , or gynecological disorders not necessarily related to pregnancy.

Pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy if accompanied by blood loss must arouse some more suspicion and in any case it is always recommended to ask for a consultation with the gynecologist.

The causes even in this delicate condition can be many: inflammation of the urinary tract, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, swelling due to the presence of air in the belly , and for each cause a targeted treatment must be prepared. The general basic advice is to drink plenty of water, at room temperature and natural, take care of intestinal regularity and do not take drugs or natural remedies unless under strict medical supervision.

When to see your doctor

As already mentioned , pains in the lower abdomen are common , because the abdominal area, the belly, contains many organs responsible for the metabolism of food, liquids, and consequently everyone suffers from abdominal swelling, cramps or pangs in certain circumstances. This should lead to assessing when it is necessary to see a doctor.

Usually the alarm bell is established by the time, the duration of the pain and its intensity . It is useless to be stoic and try to endure excruciating pangs for hours, perhaps resorting to do-it-yourself painkillers, indeed it would be dangerous.

A diagnosis by palpation is the first intervention a doctor takesand from which he understands if he is facing an attack of appendicitis, a strangulated hernia, compared to a simple indigestion.