Which is listed as a cause of abdominal pain in women?

Which is listed as a cause of abdominal pain in women?

• A. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• B. Menstrual cycle
• C. Ovarian torsion
• D. Appendicitis

Answer: (B)

Pain during the menstrual cycle is a common and expected cause of abdominal pain in women. During menstruation, prostaglandins trigger uterine contractions to shed the lining, which can irritate nearby tissues and produce cramping felt in the lower abdomen, back, or pelvis. This physiologic pain tends to occur just before or during menses and often improves with time, NSAIDs, heat, or rest. Because it reflects a normal, cyclical process, it’s commonly listed as a cause of abdominal pain in women. By contrast, pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper reproductive tract and often comes with fever and cervical motion tenderness; ovarian torsion causes sudden, severe unilateral pain needing urgent care; appendicitis typically presents with pain migrating to the right lower quadrant and other signs of infection. These are pathologic conditions rather than regular menstrual pain.

Pain during the menstrual cycle is a common and expected cause of abdominal pain in women. During menstruation, prostaglandins trigger uterine contractions to shed the lining, which can irritate nearby tissues and produce cramping felt in the lower abdomen, back, or pelvis. This physiologic pain tends to occur just before or during menses and often improves with time, NSAIDs, heat, or rest. Because it reflects a normal, cyclical process, it’s commonly listed as a cause of abdominal pain in women.

By contrast, pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper reproductive tract and often comes with fever and cervical motion tenderness; ovarian torsion causes sudden, severe unilateral pain needing urgent care; appendicitis typically presents with pain migrating to the right lower quadrant and other signs of infection. These are pathologic conditions rather than regular menstrual pain.