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Pulling pains in the lower abdomen: causes, signs
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Pulling pains in the lower abdomen are a fairly common phenomenon today, which mainly bothers women. There are also special conditions when pains can make themselves known, and this is the norm. In addition, it is necessary to take into account that pain can simply radiate from other areas where inflammation has developed to the genital area, or arise on nervous grounds, with prolonged overexertion, disruption of the daily routine and nutrition.
Causes of pulling pain in the lower abdomen
Among the wide variety of phenomena by which they can develop, one can find both physiological mechanisms that are quite natural and explainable, and pathological ones that arise as a result of a pathological process, dysfunction and disruption of normal processes in any organ. It often happens that a person feels pain in a specific place, and upon examination, a structural or functional disorder is detected there. But there are also cases when a person complains of pain and discomfort in one, very specific area, but upon examination, no pathology can be detected. All processes and functions proceed in full compliance with the norm. This means that the localization of the main pathological process should be sought in a completely different place. Such a signal is transmitted along the nerve.
The cause may be a structural or functional disorder. A structural change implies a change in anatomical structures that may arise as a result of damage, or was such initially as a result of genetically determined pathology or intrauterine development. A functional change means a change in the function of an organ or system that occurs due to various reasons. In this case, no anatomical pathologies are detected.
Lower abdominal pain may be associated with disorders in the reproductive and genitourinary systems of various origins. Sometimes it only seems to a person that the pain is localized in the pelvic area, while in fact it simply radiates from neighboring areas and is a consequence, for example, of an intestinal inflammatory process. These pains are especially common with constipation, inflammation of the appendix. Intestinal spasms, flatulence also cause similar sensations. The female half of the population suffers from such pains as a consequence of gynecological diseases, various kinds of dysfunctions. If we talk about men, then among the main causes it is advisable to highlight and consider such reasons as prostatitis, adenomatous processes, tumors, neoplasms and growths. In representatives of both sexes, the cause of such pains can be hernias, injuries to the lumbar and sacral spine, oncological pathologies. Cystitis and kidney problems can manifest themselves in this way. If a person has impaired renal function, this problem can be easily differentiated from similar pathologies by frequent urination. It is also advisable to pay attention to blood in the urine, unnatural color, and smell of urine. Situations when fainting, weakness, pallor, and a sharp drop in blood pressure should be considered especially dangerous. Intra-abdominal bleeding almost always develops in this way, requiring urgent surgical intervention.
Often you can also find cases in which the accompanying symptom is nausea and vomiting, indicating that intoxication is progressing. Also, a bad sign is the appearance of persistent pain that does not go away for quite a long time, and even painkillers are ineffective. This almost always indicates that a tumor of a benign or malignant nature is developing in the body.
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Risk factors
It is simply impossible to single out a special group, since absolutely any person is at risk, be it an adult, a child or an elderly person. It is not surprising, since there is an infinite number of reasons why they may arise. This risk is especially increased by the fact that the reasons may even be natural, which cannot be avoided. Women are most at risk, since they often experience premenstrual changes. Hormonal levels can play an important role in the development of absolutely any sensations and contribute to the development of various pathologies. Tissues and other components of the female uterus and ovaries can become inflamed or painfully transformed. Moreover, the female uterus, in its constancy and functioning, is very changeable, and can be in different states. This depends on the cycle, with the slightest change in which it can undergo various transformation processes. This is especially intense during pregnancy, menopause, and adolescence, when major hormonal changes occur.
The risk group includes people who suffer from constant constipation or other bowel disorders. Sheep feces, feces with blood and mucus, insufficient digestion of food can be accompanied by pain. In most cases, such pain occurs in the intestinal area, which is subject to an inflammatory process. In this case, receptors are affected, which are nerve endings. Their intense irritation leads to the fact that the perception of the impulse, its transmission along the reflex arc and processing by the corresponding structures of the brain are disrupted. Thus, the brain can "blur" the signal and send it to other anatomical structures. Or the pain can spread along the nerve fiber. This is facilitated by the anatomical structure of the nerve itself, in which the cells are connected to each other in single anastomoses.
People who develop polyps in their intestines and stomach are also at great risk. They can cause pain. It will be especially severe if the polyp grows or if transformed cells appear in its structure, which gradually degenerate into cancerous ones.
Pathogenesis
Pathogenesis depends on the etiological factor and the state of the body. If it is a physiological cause, the pain can pass quite quickly. For example, against the background of hormonal changes, a woman's uterus and other internal organs can change in shape and size. Pregnancy contributes to the stretching of muscles, ligaments and skin, and there is also pressure on the internal organs, their compression. If we talk about males, it is advisable to consider such physiological factors as, for example, excessive accumulation of seminal fluid in the gland, hormonal changes.
The pathogenesis of pathological pain is based on various mechanisms: blood circulation is disrupted, spasm occurs.
Types of pulling pain in the lower abdomen
Their occurrence is indicated by unpleasant, painful sensations in the lower abdomen, a burning sensation, pain, discomfort. If you suspect the development of any pathology, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Only timely diagnosis and timely treatment can guarantee a cure.
Pain in the lower abdomen and pulling in the lower back
The lower back can be pulled by kidney and urinary tract diseases, or by a hidden infection. Such sensations can also occur after an intense workout, or vice versa, after a long break in training. This is often caused by damage, stretching, or excessive compression of the muscle frame or the accumulation of uric acid.
The lower abdomen can pull in women during pregnancy, in the premenstrual period, with hormonal imbalances and changes. In men, this is most often a consequence of adenoma or inflammatory processes in the prostate gland. The lower back and abdomen can pull with kidney inflammation and intestinal diseases, acute appendicitis.
Pulling pain in the lower abdomen on the left
This may indicate inflammatory processes in the intestines, in particular, the sigmoid colon. Often, such sensations arise with constipation, flatulence. Sharp, persistent pain may indicate oncological processes, the presence of polyps or other neoplasms, benign tumors. In women, it may indicate gynecological diseases, inflammation of the left ovary. In men, it most often indicates inflammatory processes of the genitals or hidden infections.
Aching pain in the lower abdomen on the right
May indicate inflammatory and infectious processes in the intestines, poisoning or inflammation of the appendix. This may be a sign of exhaustion, loss of strength, in which storage substances come from the appendix into the blood (as the body's last reserve). This is observed during prolonged fasting, frequent dieting. In women, it may be a sign of gynecological diseases, inflammation of the right ovary, hidden infections, ectopic pregnancy.
There is pain and pulling in the lower abdomen
If the pain is periodic, intermittent, not too intense, it may indicate inflammation or an infectious process in the intestines, genitourinary system. If the pain becomes persistent and constant, it may be a sign of severe damage to the abdominal organs, a sign of a tumor (both benign and malignant), or a polyp.
Pain in the lower abdomen, pulling pain in the legs
Often such phenomena are observed during pregnancy, when the uterus presses on the surrounding nerves and tissues, as a result of which the impulse spreads along the entire nerve. It can also indicate a pinched nerve, intervertebral hernia, or injury.
Pulling pains in the lower abdomen and groin
Pain in the groin may indicate a muscle strain as a result of heavy physical work, a pinched muscle or nerve, an inflammatory process, as well as inflammatory and infectious processes in the pelvic and abdominal cavity.
Constant pulling pain in the lower abdomen
If the pain becomes constant, one can suspect an adhesive and inflammatory process, intense muscle spasm. Such pain can be a sign of the development of malignant or benign tumors.
Sharp pulling pain in the lower abdomen
May indicate trauma, damage, acute inflammatory processes or poisoning. May be a sign of acute appendicitis, which requires urgent surgical intervention. May also indicate an ectopic pregnancy, tumor, or miscarriage in women. May be a sign of damage to the prostate gland in men.
Aching pain in the lower abdomen and fever
It can be a sign of severe inflammation, bacterial and viral infection, acute intestinal pathology. This condition is especially dangerous for women: it can indicate the risk of uterine bleeding, severe inflammation of the ovaries. In pregnant women, it indicates problems and complications: ectopic pregnancy, threat of miscarriage, placental abruption.
Men often develop prostatitis or adenoma. The temperature may rise during intensive recovery processes in the postoperative period, with the development of complications, suture divergence, infection, exacerbation of other chronic and concomitant diseases. It may also be a sign of the development and progression of the tumor process, twisting of the cyst and polyp stalk.
Periodic pulling pains in the lower abdomen
They indicate periodic hormonal disturbances or changes, spasms. This may indicate a hidden infection, a disease that is asymptomatic.
Pulling cutting pains in the lower abdomen
If the pain is of a cutting nature, it usually indicates an acute pathology. Often, such pathologies require urgent surgical treatment. If cutting pains appear, you need to call an ambulance as soon as possible.
It may occur as a result of inflammation, trauma, stretching. It is necessary to exclude the risk of appendicitis, since this is a rather serious pathology that requires urgent surgical intervention. The disease is dangerous due to peritonitis - infection and inflammation of the entire abdominal cavity, sepsis.
In women, such pain occurs as a result of gynecological diseases, ectopic pregnancy, and complicated pregnancy.
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Pulling pains in the lower abdomen and bloating
Bloating usually occurs with bowel diseases, as well as with gas accumulation, constipation. Often observed after surgery, or after a procedure such as gastroscopy. Usually in such cases it goes away within a few days.
If the bloating does not go away within a few days, it may be a cause for concern. Pain and bloating may indicate inflammation or exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal diseases. With a violation of the gastric and intestinal environment, with insufficient digestion of food, stagnation and dysbacteriosis, bloating may also develop, which does not go away for a long time.
Nagging pain in the lower abdomen with cystitis
Cystitis is one of the main reasons for the occurrence of pulling pains, the exact location of which is impossible to determine. The main reason for the development of cystitis is not only the disruption of normal microflora and disruption of some anatomical structures, but also the appearance of bacterial and viral flora. Often these symptoms are accompanied by burning, pain in the perineum, urethra. The pain occurs immediately at the time of urination, and also some time after. The pulling is strongest in the morning, but during the day these sensations also do not go away. In the evening, everything depends on the state of the body. Usually, if the body is in a relatively normal state, in which the immunity corresponds to the norm, then the pain will decrease in the evening. If the state of the body is disturbed, the immunity is reduced, then the pain increases in the evening. At night, pain may bother a person, or may not bother. Basically, everything is determined by the individual sensitivity of the body and the reaction to inflammation and progression of diseases, endurance and the ability of the body to resist infectious and somatic pathologies. Body temperature often rises.
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Pulling pain in the lower abdomen when walking
It is almost impossible to determine the cause of pain without using a complex of laboratory and instrumental studies. It can be either an inflammatory process or a direct consequence of injuries that have arisen as a result of intensive training or physical activity. The paradox is that such pain can be experienced by both trained athletes with fairly well-trained skeletal muscles and bone system, and disabled people who have been immobile for a long time or with an insufficient level of motor activity. When walking, pain can occur in people with muscle atrophy or weakened muscle tone who are recovering from an injury, a wheelchair, or walking on crutches. Similar pain can also occur in athletes with muscle hypertonicity, or uneven development of skeletal muscles, with excessive use of muscle growth stimulants, abuse or improper use of functional and sports nutrition.
Pulling pains in the lower abdomen and diarrhea
If diarrhea occurs against the background of nagging pains, this also indicates functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It can occur with inflammation, after surgeries. It is often a consequence of food poisoning, chronic infections, intoxications. Diarrhea is also considered an individual reaction to a change in food, a symptom of food intolerance and indigestion.
Pulling pain in the lower abdomen at night
This may indicate both inflammation and recovery from illnesses, tissue regeneration after surgeries. Most often - during the resorption of adhesions, scars. The main regenerative processes occur at night, since at night the body is relaxed and the protective mechanisms, recovery resources are maximally mobilized. Sensitivity also increases at night. If a woman could not notice mild pain during the day, then at night they will be more noticeable.
Sometimes pain occurs due to various anomalies and inflammations, processes, development of tumors, polyps. Most polyps also form at night.
Pain and pulling sensation in the right side of the lower abdomen
If the pain is localized in the right side, it is better not to endure and not to wait. This will simply result in a loss of precious time that could be used for therapeutic purposes. You need to act immediately: undergo diagnostics and exclude the possibility of appendicitis. This is a fairly serious disease that can end in peritonitis and sepsis if timely measures are not taken. It is also important to exclude a number of gynecological diseases and inflammations, ectopic pregnancy, neoplasms.
Pulling pain in the lower abdomen when moving
It is quite possible to suspect that there is a spasm or adhesion process. Also, similar sensations accompany the intensive training process of athletes (overexertion, stretching of the abdominal muscles and ligaments). Sometimes - a pathological process, disease, pinched nerve, intervertebral hernia.
Pulling pain in the lower abdomen in the morning
They can occur with muscle hypotonia, or, conversely, excessive tension, intense training. For women, it is advisable to associate this phenomenon with ovarian cyst torsion, spasm, and gynecological diseases.
A nagging, girdle-like pain in the lower abdomen
Pain in the encircling localization is a consequence of severe inflammation, which is often accompanied by an adhesive process, affects the genitourinary sphere. Often damage, pinching of the nerve develops. As a result, the pain signal spreads along the entire length of the nerves. This occurs with a cold nerve, pregnancy. The uterus grows and compresses the internal organs and nerves: the pain spreads, loses its clear localization.
Pulling pain in the lower abdomen after unprotected intercourse
Often, an objective examination reveals inflammation against the background of viruses and bacteria, the development of a latent infection. This is an infection that can persist in the body for a long time, multiplying and causing various damages in the body. Often, a person does not even suspect the presence of this infection, since it does not make itself known in any way. It often manifests itself only when irreversible processes have developed. If even the slightest signs of pathology appear, you need to immediately get treatment. It is advisable to undergo a full examination.