{"id":626697,"date":"2024-02-08T16:19:24","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T21:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626697"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:10:03","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:10:03","slug":"causes-of-lower-abdominal-pain-in-females-who-arent-pregnant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/causes-of-lower-abdominal-pain-in-females-who-arent-pregnant\/","title":{"rendered":"Causes of lower abdominal pain in females who aren\u2019t pregnant"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lower abdominal pain in females can feel dull, sharp, shooting, or cramp-like. Depending on the cause of the pain, it may radiate to the pelvis, back, or other areas of the body. Lower abdominal pain can last a couple of hours, or it could be a sign of a chronic issue that needs management.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Read on for possible causes of lower abdominal pain in women who are not pregnant, additional common symptoms, when to get medical advice or treatment, and how to treat the pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes lower abdominal pain in females who aren’t pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are causes of lower abdominal pain other than pregnancy that arise from different parts of the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gastrointestinal upset<\/span><\/h3>\n

For starters, several kinds of gastrointestinal issues might be at play. Bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea are some examples, according to <\/span>Supriya Rao, MD<\/span><\/a>, a quadruple board-certified physician at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, Massachusetts. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Those issues typically aren’t severe,” Dr. Rao says, “and can be treated at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.” You can <\/span>treat diarrhea<\/span><\/a> by drinking plenty of water or sports drinks and eating small amounts of mild foods. Anti-diarrheal medications, such as <\/span>Pepto Bismol<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>bismuth subsalicylate<\/span><\/a>) and <\/span>Kaopectate<\/span><\/a> (docusate-calcium), can also help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation<\/span><\/a> can also cause lower abdominal pain. You can typically treat it without going to the doctor by engaging in physical activity, managing stress, drinking enough fluids, and eating a diet high in fiber and low in dairy. Laxatives and stool softeners, such as Metamucil (psyllium) and <\/span>Colace<\/span><\/a> (docusate sodium), can also help relieve symptoms. <\/span><\/p>\n

Stomach illnesses such as the <\/span>stomach flu<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>food poisoning<\/span><\/a> can also cause lower abdominal pain. The two share common symptoms, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n