Yes, lower abdominal pain can be a sign of pregnancy. However, the well-known pains in the “lower” belly or lower abdomen can have other causes besides being one of the signs of early pregnancy1. Pains or even cramps can occur after ovulation and also in other situations such as PMS, for example.
However, pain in the lower abdomen can also indicate that there is something wrong in the body. Find out when to be concerned if you feel these pains and when they can be a sign of pregnancy.
Lower Abdominal Pain: What Could It Be?
Lower abdominal and back pain may indicate pregnancy when they occur after a missed period and after the fertile period2. Sometimes the pain can feel like a sharp twinge on one side of the lower abdomen, sometimes on both sides. The belly may also feel slightly bloated. It’s also very common for a woman who ovulates and has an active corpus luteum function to experience cramps and even more intense pain in the lower abdomen and back. She may worry that there is a more serious problem behind these pains, but in most cases they are functional pains of the body. There are appropriate medications to relieve these symptoms, and if there is in fact a pregnancy, using them poses no risk.
IMPORTANT: It’s important that women pay attention to other symptoms their body gives before suspecting a possible pregnancy.
Not all lower abdominal pains mean pregnancy. As mentioned, many times the pain is due to ovulation3, and this egg may or may not have been fertilized. Even if it is fertilized, there’s the chance it won’t implant, in which case pregnancy does not occur. Therefore, it’s best to wait, and if the pain persists after a missed period, then there is a greater possibility it may be pregnancy.
If the pain gets stronger and there is a light, non-flowing bleeding, brownish or pink in color, it may be the well-known implantation bleeding. However, not all implantation cases have visible bleeding, and the pain simply becomes a bit stronger from one day to the next. It’s worth noting that lower abdominal pain can be pregnancy, but also problems with that pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy, or a tubal pregnancy, causes increasingly severe pain for the woman. That’s why it’s best to consult a doctor to investigate the cause of these pains if you are already sure you are pregnant.
When Are These Pains a Sign of Problems?
Most women of fertile age automatically associate lower abdominal pain with pregnancy, but not all pains are caused by it. Some cases involve an intimate problem such as a uterine infection, for example. This infection can affect any woman who is sexually active. They are treatable in most cases, as they are usually simple. Other cases of lower abdominal pain may indicate the presence of sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia for example. That’s why keeping your Pap smear up to date will help with early and proper diagnosis so that the doctor can prescribe the best treatment for each situation.
Pain from Urinary Tract Infection
Pain in the lower abdomen can also be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Not all women consider this as a possibility. However, even if there is no pain in the urethra, the bladder will alert the body that something is wrong. Therefore, if the pain is constant, it is also advisable for a woman to have a urinalysis (type 1) to check for any developing infection.
Pain from PMS
Another possible reason for lower abdominal pain is PMS. When a woman is about to menstruate, she will experience typical discomfort of this phase, such as increased cramps and also back pain accompanied by abdominal bloating. These lower abdominal pains tend to disappear when menstruation begins or ends.
In truth, we should treat any pain in the lower abdomen as a warning sign. A possible cause that is rarely discussed is the presence of cervical cancer. This causes stronger pain than usual for women, but these cases are isolated. Even though these cases are rare, they should be considered and investigated by a doctor. Even if the pain is caused by the woman’s physiological cycle such as ovulation, it’s recommended to discuss the condition with a doctor to clarify and investigate possible problems in this area. Don’t be afraid to investigate and make your gynecologist your best ally!
Readers’ Questions:
How do I know if lower abdominal pain is pregnancy?
Unfortunately, pain alone can’t confirm a pregnancy. To know if lower abdominal pain is a sign of pregnancy, you need to combine it with other symptoms and confirm with a pregnancy test, whether it’s a pharmacy test or a beta HCG blood test. Famivita tests are very reliable and accessible.
What is lower abdominal pain like at the beginning of pregnancy?
Lower abdominal pain at the beginning of pregnancy is easily confused with premenstrual cramps or even pains during the ovulation phase. This pain is very common, which is why many women mistake it for PMS symptoms. If you are trying to conceive, the best way to track your cycle and increase your chances of getting pregnant quickly is to know exactly when you are ovulating. A menstrual cycle tracking app on your phone and using ovulation tests to confirm when ovulation is approaching, occurring, and even when it has ended, can make it easier to get your positive result.
I feel pain in my lower abdomen during sex, what could it be?
Lower abdominal pain during sex can be related to several factors such as: low cervix, cervical lesions, urinary tract infection, or even other types of vaginal infections. To diagnose the cause you need to see a gynecologist, undergo evaluation tests, and then receive appropriate treatment. Important Tip: Famivita has developed a line of products ranging from vitamins for men and women to lubricating gels. You can check out the whole range on Famivita’s website. See also: Can White Discharge Be Pregnancy? How to Identify?
