Pelvic or lower abdominal pain

Content provided by Healthwise

Pelvic or lower abdominal pain

Abnormal vaginal discharge with fever and lower abdominal pain may mean an infection in the pelvic organs. During your period and during intercourse, bacteria can travel up the vagina into the uterus and into the fallopian tubes, causing an infection.

A tubal (ectopic) pregnancy could also cause lower abdominal pain.

Symptoms of pelvic infection include:

• Pain (especially during intercourse).
• Bad-smelling vaginal discharge.
• An increase in vaginal discharge.
• A change in the color of vaginal discharge to gray, green, or yellow.
• Bleeding between periods.
• Fever.
• Nausea or vomiting.

Pelvic infections are usually caused by bacteria. It is important to treat pelvic infections right away to:

• Prevent scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can cause infertility.
• Prevent infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
• Reduce the risk of passing the infection to your partner.

Sexually active women, especially those who have more than one partner, have an increased risk of getting pelvic infections.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an extremely rare condition that has been linked to tampon use. An important symptom of TSS is a sunburnlike rash that develops within 2 days of the onset of a high fever [over ]. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle aches, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, profound weakness, confusion, and signs of shock.

If you have symptoms of a pelvic infection, do not have sexual intercourse until you see your health professional. This will reduce the risk of spreading a possible infection to your partner.

Credits

Last updated:	February 15, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer