5 Causes of Stomach Cramps in Women, Apart from Menstruation

Contents:

Medical Video: Endometriosis

Abdominal cramps in women are usually synonymous with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, of the 90 percent of women who experience PMS symptoms, as many as 20 percent of them experience severe stomach cramps. But on the other hand, under certain conditions women can also experience abdominal cramps outside their menstrual cycle. Beware, this should not be underestimated because it can be a sign of a serious problem with your health. So, what causes stomach cramps besides menstruation? Find out through the following reviews.

Various causes of abdominal cramps other than due to menstruation

Abdominal cramps due to menstruation usually occur for 5 to 11 days before menstruation. If you feel stomach cramps outside that time, you need to be vigilant.

According to Alyssa Dweck, an obstetrician and writer The Complete A to Z for Your V, causes of abdominal cramps that are painful and outside the menstrual cycle may be due to other pelvic problems that need further examination.

The following are causes of abdominal cramps that are not caused by menstruation and need to be aware of, namely:

1. Endometriosis

One of the causes of abdominal cramps that you need to be aware of is the possibility of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition when the tissue that is supposed to coat the uterus (endometrium) grows and accumulates in other organs outside the uterus.

Normally, the endometrium will thicken before ovulation to prepare yourself so that prospective fetuses can attach to the uterus, if fertilization occurs. When fertilization does not occur, this endometrium will collapse and come out with menstrual blood.

But in women who experience endometriosis, the uterine wall tissue that decays does not come out through the vagina, but settles around the reproductive organs. Over time, these deposits will cause inflammation, cysts, or scar tissue. This is the cause of abdominal cramps, although not menstruating.

Abdominal cramps due to endometriosis are similar to abdominal cramps during menstruation but usually occur more often in a month. Usually, abdominal cramps are felt in the lower back and below your belly button.

Even though the cause is not known for sure, taking birth control pills can help you deal with the pain caused by endometriosis. In addition, abdominal cramps due to endometriosis can also be treated with injections to suppress hormones or by endometriosis surgery.

2. Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are small, fluid-filled sacs that form in the ovary. This disease can be one of the causes of abdominal cramps outside the menstrual period.

Ovarian cysts can usually disappear by themselves, fire eight percent of other women need medication or surgery because the cyst is severe enough.

Abdominal cramps due to cysts are not only felt when the cyst still grows and persists in the ovary, but also when the cyst ruptures.

When an ovarian cyst ruptures, you may feel crunchier abdominal cramps on both sides of the lower abdomen, especially below the navel. However, the location also depends on which ovary there is a cyst.

overcome menstrual pain and stomach cramps

3. Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are a condition when there is a benign tumor that grows in the uterus. Some symptoms include abdominal cramps, bloating, pain during sex, and feeling depressed in the urinary or intestinal tract.

If you have fibroids that grow in the uterus, fibroids will suppress the lining of the uterus more strongly, especially before the menstrual period. Towards the decay of the uterine wall during menstruation, the uterine wall will push out the lining and make you feel cramps in the abdomen.

To determine the cause of abdominal cramps due to uterine fibroids, immediately consult a doctor to undergo an ultrasound procedure.

4. The onset of scarring or keloids

If you have had pelvic or abdominal surgery, then you run the risk of developing scar tissue (keloid) that causes pain.

This scar tissue can cause the surrounding organs to feel stiff, triggering trauma to the uterus. This is usually caused by curettage, caesarean section, uterine infection, and other surgical procedures.

5. Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the biggest types of cancer that causes death in women. Because, more than 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and the numbers continue to increase. Some symptoms of ovarian cancer include pain, bloating, abdominal cramps, and irregular bleeding.

Abdominal cramps due to ovarian cancer are often misinterpreted as heartburn due to constipation or flatulence. However, this abdominal cramps is felt more in the lower abdomen and lasts long enough.

To determine the cause of abdominal cramps due to ovarian cancer, the doctor will usually do a pelvic exam.

5 Causes of Stomach Cramps in Women, Apart from Menstruation
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