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Health ResourcesSymptom AdvisorStomach or Lower Abdominal Pain - Adult Female

Stomach or Lower Abdominal Pain - Adult Female

If this is an emergency, call 911 immediately

Symptom Search:

Step 1Symptoms

Does this describe your symptoms?

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

General Information

  • There are multiple causes of abdominal pain. And 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.

Step 1Should I Call?

  • 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 have any ONE of the following:
    • You feel weak or very sick
    • Severe pain
    • Constant abdominal pain for more than 2 hours
    • Vomiting contains blood or black ("coffee ground") material
    • Vomiting bile (bright yellow or green)
    • Vomiting and abdomen looks much 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
    • Have diabetes mellitus or a weakened immune system (e.g., HIV positive, cancer chemotherapy,chronic steroid treatment, splenectomy)
    • Are bedridden (e.g., nursing home patient, stroke, chronic illness, recovering from surgery)
    • White of the eyes have turned yellow (jaundice)
    • Pregnant or could be pregnant (e.g., missed last menstrual period)
    • Blood in urine

    Action: If you are unable to reach your doctor - go to one of our nearby urgent care clinics or to a local hospital Emergency Department.

    Use our Facility Search to find an urgent care clinic near you.

  • Call Your Doctor WITHIN 24 HOURS (during regular daytime office hours) 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
  • Call Your Doctor DURING WEEKDAY OFFICE HOURS IF:
    • You have other questions or concerns
    • Abdominal pains are a recurrent problem
    • Pain with sexual intercourse
  • Provide Care at Home to children for:
    • Mild abdominal pain and you don't think you need to be seen

Step 1Care at Home

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 infection (gastroenteritis).

Rest

Lie down and rest until you feel better.

Fluids

Sip clear fluids only (e.g. water, flat soft drinks or ½ strength fruit juice) until the pain has been gone for over 2 hours. Then slowly return to a regular diet.

Diet

  • Slowly advance diet from clear liquids to a bland diet.
  • Avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
  • Avoid greasy or fatty foods.

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.

Avoid Medicines

Any drug could irritate the stomach lining and make the pain worse, especially anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Other than Tylenol, do not take any pain medicines, fever medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.

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.

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.

IF your symptoms become worse:

Review Should I Call? recommendations.

Copyright 1994-2008 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.; David A. Thompson, M.D., Self-Care Decisions LLC
Last Review Date: 10/1/2008

 
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