What Do Periodic Lower Abdominal Pain With Dizziness And Fatigue Suggest?

Posted on Thu, 9 Jun 2016

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

Thu, 9 Jun 2016 Answered on

Thu, 7 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having periodic sharp pains to my lower abdomen. I'm also experiencing dizziness and increasing fatigue

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Some questions to help me answer you better.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Where in your lower abdomen is the pain? Is it on both sides? Is it in the area of your ovaries?

How severe is the pain? And how long does it last?

Is it throbbing?

In a 28 day menstrual cycle, if day 1 is first day of period, what day are you now?

How long has this been going on?

Are you pain free at any time?

Do you have your appendix?

Any chance you can be pregnant?

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (11 minutes later)

The pain is closer to my pelvis beneath the belly button. It's more that a sharp pain that lasts 10-30 minutes and comes and goes through the the day. I usually do have very painful and heavy periods but this pain has been occurring within the last week or so. I am day 17 of my cycle. I do have an appendix. I'm not sure if I am pregnant or not.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibly periovulatory pain but can't know unless you go in to be seen.

Detailed Answer:
If the pain is severe, I think you should go in to be seen in person. Directly below the navel, several finger breadths down, is the uterus.

Some women get ovulatory pain - pain from the egg rupturing off of the ovary - at mid cycle, around day 14. Usually the pain is more to one side of the lower pelvis or the other.

Appendicitis pain usually does not come and go and usually not sharp. And there is often fever with it.

If there is a chance of pregnancy, then this pain could be concerning.

My guess, given that this is day 17 and it has been going on for several days, is it may have to do with ovulation. But I can't be sure.

I think the best thing is for you to go in to dr. or an urgent care clinic. If it is too late for that, then the ER.

There they can do a physical exam of your abdomen and pelvis, and a bimanual exam of your ovaries and uterus. They can take and they can get an imaging study such as an ultrasound (an ER might be able to do the U/S, not your own dr.).

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (54 minutes later)

Ok thank you very much

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your welcome -

Detailed Answer:
I hope you feel better soon.

Please feel free to let me know how you are doing.

Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD

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

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 minute later)

Thank you. I made an appointment with my provider

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Ok

Detailed Answer:
That is good. But if the pain increases, please don't wait to go in to be seen!

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