What Causes Sharp Lower Abdominal Pain Followed By Fainting?

Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2014

Question: I am female, 52 years old, post-menopause. I woke up during the night with sharp, deep lower right abdominal pains. I passed out on my way to the bathroom to urinate. My husband helped me to the toilet and I urinated and passed out again. I tend to faint when I'm scared which I was because the pain was so bad. I had no urge for a bowel movement although I hadn't gone in two days which is not unusual for me. I used to wake with sharp pains there at night fairly often but haven't in several years. This was the worst ever. The pain seemed to radiate into the front of my hip (hip flexor area). The intense pain lasted maybe 5-10 minutes and slowly dissipated. That was at 3 am and I feel fine now, just sore in that area. I did have a bowel movement this morning that seemed normal.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Probably urinary tract stones.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.

The way you describe it seem to have been a stone in your urinary tract,that has passed through your ureters,to your bladder and to your urethra and get out during urination.
In this case you don't need treatment just drink plenty of fluids.
Just to be sure and to exclude other possible causes (ovary cysts,appendicitis,constipation etc) you should run some tests:
-Urinalysis
-Complete blood count
-Abdominal ultrasound and X-ray of abdomen.

Hope my answer has helped.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify,I will be happy to help.

Wish you good health.

Dr.Rovena Murati

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (5 hours later)

Thank you, Dr. Murati,
I am not sure if that's what it was because I had many bladder infections over the years and I had none of those symptoms. I didn't feel any pain urinating, only in my lower right side. But I do have a urinalysis and blood test scheduled later this week. Since I've had no more pain today, I will hope you are correct! :-)
Thanks so much, this really helped on a Sunday! XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome!

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

It is not meant that kidney stones will cause for sure an urinary tract infection that would cause frequent and painful urination.So kidney stones may present with pain in one side of abdomen that radiates in front of the hip.

Apart your urinalysis and blood test,I would recommend to do an abdominal ultrasound to exclude other possible causes including ovarian cyst.

You can discuss it with your treating doctor.

Wish you good luck!

Regards.

Dr.Rovena Murati

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