What Is Abdominal Pain and Why Does It Matter, Especially for Women

1. What Is Abdominal Pain and Why Does It Matter, Especially for Women? Abdominal pain is any pain that happens between chest and lower belly (pelvic area). It can feel like cramps, a dull ache, a sharp jab, or even a stabbing pain. Sometimes the pain comes and goes, and other times it sticks around. 1,2 Abdominal pain tends to occur more frequently in women (~24%) compared to men (~17%).1 Many cases of abdominal pain are linked to gastrointestinal (GI) problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In addition to GI issues, abdominal pain in women is often related to gynaecological conditions.1 Abdominal pain in women is often underestimated and dismissed as “just period pain,” both socially and medically. This normalization can lead to healthcare professionals overlooking the severity of symptoms. As a result, women may feel unheard or invalidated, which can lower confidence in seeking help and affect future healthcare decisions. Understanding the Types of Abdominal Pain in Women Menstrual Cramps Menstrual cramps, also called period pain or dysmenorrhea, are the aches and pains that many people feel before and during their period. This is often felt as a dull, throbbing, or cramping pain usually affecting the lower abdomen and sometimes the lower back too. The intensity of the pain can vary from person to person, it might feel like a mild discomfort for some, while for others it can be quite severe and hard to manage. 3,4 Digestive pain Some digestive-related causes of abdominal pain include indigestion, gas buildup, constipation, diarrhea, food allergies or intolerances and food poisoning. In many cases, the cause isn’t serious, and the pain often goes away without treatment.2 Many women experience stomach or digestive problems—like bloating, gas, or cramps—around the time of their period. Digestive problems during periods were common in both healthy women and those with IBD.5 Difference Between Period Cramps and digestive Pain6 Type of Pain: Digestive pain moves around the belly and may feel like a lump or pressure. Period cramps, however, usually feel like a steady, tight pain in one area often the lower abdomen.

2. Location of Pain: Gas or constipation pain can occur anywhere, even near the anus. In contrast, period cramps usually cause pain in the lower back and pelvic area. Pain Intensity: Period cramps often last longer and can be more intense. Digestive pain tends to come suddenly and often goes away after passing gas or having a bowel movement. Back and Thigh Pain: Period cramps can radiate to the lower back, thighs, or legs. Digestive pain usually stays in the abdominal area. They Can Happen Together: Hormonal changes during periods can also upset digestion, leading to gas, bloating, or constipation making the pain worse. Bloating and Its Link to PCOS Bloating often happens after eating or drinking a large amount, when gas gets trapped in the digestive system, or when the body holds on to extra fluid. It can also be a common symptom in certain health conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Bloating feels like tightness or fullness in the stomach area. In some cases, the abdomen may also appear visibly swollen, a condition known as distention. Most often, bloating is caused by an excess of gas in the digestive tract.7 PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects multiple systems in the body. Studies have shown a connection between PCOS and gut health—particularly in the balance and variety of gut bacteria. Changes in gut bacteria may contribute to the bloating often seen in individuals with PCOS.7 When toseek medical help for persistent pain It is important to consult a doctor if abdominal pain is ongoing, severe, has no clear cause, or occurs after an injury or during pregnancy. Medical attention should also be sought if the pain comes with any of the following signs:8 •Fever that doesn’t go away •Constant nausea or vomiting •Blood in stool, urine, or vomit •A swollen or tender abdomen •Pain that spreads to other parts of the body •Difficulty breathing or symptoms that worsen with movement or activity Reference: 1.Windrim EB, McGuire BE, Durand H. Women's experiences of seeking healthcare for abdominal pain in Ireland: a qualitative study.BMC Womens Health. 2024;24(1):166. Published 2024 Mar 7.

3. 2.Abdominal Pain: What You Should Know, available at https://www.webmd.com/pain- management/abdominal-pain-causes-treatments last accessed on May 15, 2025. 3.Bernstein MT, Graff LA, Avery L, Palatnick C, Parnerowski K, Targownik LE. Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:14. Published 2014 Jan 22. 4.Dysmenorrhea: Painful Periods available health/faqs/dysmenorrhea-painful-periods last accessed on May 15, 2025. 5.Bernstein MT, Graff LA, Avery L, Palatnick C, Parnerowski K, Targownik LE. Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women.BMC Womens Health. 2014;14:14. Published 2014 Jan 22. 6.Spot the difference between period cramps and poop cramps with these 5 signs https://www.healthshots.com/intimate-health/menstruation/5-signs-to-differentiate- between-period-cramps-and-poop-cramps/ last accessed on May 15, 2025. 7.PCOS and bloating: What to know https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/pcos-and- bloating last accessed on May 15, 2025. 8.Abdominal Pain, available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/4167- abdominal-pain#when-to-call-the-doctor last accessed on May 15, 2025. at https://www.acog.org/womens-