OVERVIEW
This page is designed to organize content that is relevant to the topic of lower abdominal pain in females. This term is a subcategory of the broader topic of abdominal pain.
WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?
Before going any farther, let us make sure we clearly define the “medical problem”. Lower abdominal pain (sometimes called pelvic pain) involves one of the two lower abdominal quadrants. Because the anatomy does differ significantly in this region between males and females, this page is dedicated to only the topic of females. Because the anatomy between the right and left side of the lower abdomen is mostly symmetrical however, both lower quadrants are lumped into this category of abdominal pain.
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
ORGANIZING THE DIFFERENTIAL
The differential diagnosis for lower abdominal pain in females can be organized in a few different ways:
- Can’t miss diagnosis
- Organ systen
- Disease category
- Diagnostic modality
- Most common diagnosis
CLINICAL “WORKUP”
Now that the possible causes of lower abdominal pain in females have been established, the focus can shift to how one would actually “work-up” a patient who presents with lower abdominal pain in females.
- Collecting the history
- Performing the physical
- Ordering studies/tests
- Interpreting clinical data
Page Updated: 01.23.2017