Abdominal pain in women: Treatment depending on the cause
If a disease is the cause of the lower abdominal pain, we must always treat it. The goal is to relieve pain, prevent it from returning, and improve quality of life.
- Painkillers: Medications from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example, are effective for menstrual pain. The active ingredients ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are frequently used. Paracetamol from the analgesics group can also relieve pain.
- Anticonvulsant drugs (spasmolytics), for example the active ingredient butylscopolamine
- Antibiotics, if bacterial infections are the reason for abdominal pain
- hormonal contraceptives, such as for endometriosis
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, for example in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases
- Surgery, for example, for appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy or a hernia
- Psychological pain therapy, when the pain is very stressful and limits everyday life and enjoyment of life.
Treat abdominal pain yourself – Tips
There are still some measures and home remedies that you can use to improve or dispel acute or chronic abdominal pain yourself. However, if diseases such as appendicitis or a hernia are the reason, they can’t do much – a visit to the doctor is necessary.
Some tips against abdominal pain:
- Heat: It is considered a proven home remedy for pain. Heat relaxes and loosens tense muscles. You can apply the heat in various ways, such as a hot water bottle, heat wrap, heat pad or heat belt. Alternatively, you can take a warm bath.
- Herbal teas that have antispasmodic and warming effect
- sometimes also helps a careful massage of the abdomen
- Exercise: A walk in the fresh air, swimming or cycling are good. Gymnastics and dancing can also sometimes improve pain.
- Relaxation: Relaxation techniques such as autogenic training or Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation can be helpful for abdominal pain. Mindfulness exercises, yoga, Tai Chi or Qigong also have a relaxing effect on many people.