What Causes Lower Left Sided Abdominal Pain?

Posted on Wed, 20 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 Answered on

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Age: 25 yrs

History: Have Thyroid problem; Underwent D&C in 2012; Scans were normal; Was on pills for 1.5 years (stopped from past 6 months); Have had regular periods (29-30 days cycle); Most importantly, have slight pain in left side of abdomen till date;

Recently:
LMP on 7th July. On the same day, consulted a physician regarding my abdominal pain. I was prescribed Ofloxacin(5 days) and VSL#3(10 days). Was relieved a bit. I had protected sex on 19th July. My period was due on 4th August. Got negative UPT on day 1 (due day). Repeatedly, got negative for the next 3 days. On day 6, I checked Free-T4, TSH and B-HCG.

FT4 was very low, TSH was very high and B-HCG was 0.1 mIU/ml.

From day 7, I stopped taking Thyronorm tablet (50mg) and got my period on day 8. It continued for 5 days.

I am still having continuous mild pain in my lower left abdomen. Pain shifts from lower region to little up.

I am worried about,
1. What is it which is causing pain in my lower left abdomen? 5 months back my doctor suspected PID and I was diagnosed with thickened ET. I was put on an antibiotic for 10 days and medication for thickened ET for 3 menstrual cycle.

2. Am I having ectopic pregnancy? Could the period like thing be symptoms of ectopic pregnancy? I am also experiencing burps. Since, I was scared I did another UPT after 5 days my period stopped (i.e, 20th August, today) and got negative result.

3. What should I do?

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
transvaginal ultrasound

Detailed Answer:
Hello mam, thanks for trusting health care magic.
This lower abdomen pain on left side can be due to either an ovarian cyst or mild local inflammation of colon which is very common in patients with constipation.
In my opinion you need to get an ultrasound and see for results.
Chances of PID are less because you just had a course of ofloxacin.
Chances of ectopic pregnancy are negligible because bHCG is 0.1 and you got your periods for 5 days.
Ovarian cyst is the most common probable diagnosis because your periods though normal were delayed a little and you have a history of increased ET.
In case ultrasound is normal then I will like to put you on a course of broad spectrum antibiotic for 7 days.
Till then take ample water and curd.
Curd will relieve your burps also and will provide you good bacteria for gut.
In case you have other questions I will be happy to help.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (45 hours later)

Hi doctor, thanks for your guidance.

I am sorry, the pain is not in the left lower abdomen area but is in the left abdominal region. I mean the left lumbar region. Do you still recommend TVS?

I checked with a XXXXXXX physician in Manipal Hospital. He did a physical checkup by pressing belly and said there's nothing abnormal. He has prescribed me iLadac tablets for 15 days.

I am not satisfied. Although, not severe but the mild pain irritates me. Please suggest.

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ultrasound needed

Detailed Answer:
Hi, I understand the Botheration but you have to have ultrasound via abdomen route and in case radiologist finds anything abnormal in ovaries or uterus he can have the transvaginal route to see the pathology clearly.
The tablet given to you is most probably fludac. If something else then please send me the salt name so that I can infer its mechanism of action as brand names tend to differ in different parts of country.
And in case everything is normal on ultrasound and tablet is fludac then keep taking this tablet along with a full course of antibiotic.
You can take ibuprofen as analgesic till you go for ultrasound but that will treat the symptoms but not pathology.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (26 hours later)

Thanks doctor!

I got Abdomen and Pelvis Scan done today. Reports are normal (Summary below). The iLadac tablet which has been prescribed by the doctor contains Ilaprazole. I will start taking it from tomorrow morning.

****************
Report Summary:

Liver- Normal in size, measures 10.8cms. Normal texture. Intrahepatic biliary and portal radicles are normal. Portal vein is normal;

Gall Bladder- Normal wall. Echofree lumen. CBD is normal;

Spleen- Normal in shape and echotexture. Normal size;

Pancreas- Partially visualized due to bowel gas. Visualized extent appears normal;

Right Kidney- Normal in position and axis. Cortico-medullary differentiation is intact. PCS and upper ureter appears normal. Lower ureter is not visualized. Right Kidney measures 9.2x4.1cms;

Left Kidney- Normal in position and axis. Cortico-medullary differentiation is intact. PCS and upper ureter appears normal. Lower ureter is not visualized. Left Kidney measures 9.6x4.0cms;

Urinary Bladder- Normal wall. Echofree cavity;

Uterus- Normal in size. Measures 8.2x4.2cms. Normal myometrium. Endometrium is normal thickness 8.3mm;

Ovaries- Both ovaries are normal in size. Show normal follicular pattern;

Others- No ascites. No mass or collection seen in the RIF region. No collection in POD;

Impression- Normal Study;
*************

1. Based on the above report, what do you suggest?
2. What should I do if, even after taking iLadac (as prescribed for 15 days) the pain still persists?
3. What can I do to make my menstrual cycle regular?
4. What will be the best time to indulge in sex if one does not want to get pregnant?

In case you advise any medication, I request you to provide complete instruction which include:
Name of the medicine,
Strength (mg),
When to take (x-x-x),
Whether to take before or after breakfast/lunch/dinner

Thanks again for helping me out with my questions and worries.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
oral pills

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Your ultrasound is normal except for increased ET.
You should take ilaprazole tablet as prescribed but along with that take tablet doxycycline 100mg twice a day for 7 days with meals but not with milk.
In case after 15 days of course of ilaprazole tablet you still have pain then visit a surgeon for examination.
Best time to have sex without fear of pregnancy is just before or just after periods because best time of conception ranges from day 10-18 of a regular 28 day cycle.
In my opinion you should start oral contraceptive pills which will help in providing contraception as well as regularise the periods.
Take care.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar