What are the Causes of Lower Abdominal Swelling In Women?

Lower Abdominal Swelling in Women

Lower abdominal swelling in women is any kind of distention, bloating, or enlargement of the organs in the area including the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and blood vessels. This is considered as a common symptom of several mild to severe disorders and medical conditions affecting the digestive, lymphatic, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems.

It can happen throughout the lower abdomen or in one particular small area called the abdominal mass.

The severity and length of the swelling depends mainly on what is causing it. There are times when it can be experienced after an episode of overeating.

Symptoms that are observed together with the swelling have different levels of severity. This can range from mild feelings of bloating to severe distention that can cause breathing difficulties and malfunctioning of bodily processes. Female patients who experience dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting, and jaundice ,together with lower abdominal swelling should seek immediate medical care since these symptoms indicate a serious and potentially fatal condition.

Causes of Abdominal Swelling in Women

• Appendicitis
• Celiac Disease. This is a hereditary disorder that causes nutrient absorption problems and can lead to damage of the small intestines.
• Colorectal and pancreatic cancer
• Diverticulitis. A condition characterized by the formation and protrusion of pouches in the lining of the intestines. These pouches when exposed to continuous tear and pressure can become inflamed or infected.
• Food poisoning that is usually caused by the bacteria known as Salmonella.
• Gastritis or the inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• IBS or the Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Food intolerances specifically lactose intolerance.
• Liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver failure.
• Pancreatitis and viral gastroenteritis
• Growth of a tumor or mass in the abdominal area
• Cancer in its advance stages causes abdominal swelling especially breast, lymphoma, colon, ovarian, and stomach cancers.
• Chronic alcoholism, overeating, weight gain, and obesity.
• Ascites or the accumulation of fluid-like substances within the abdominal cavity.
• Ovarian cysts
• Portal hypertension. An increase in blood pressure within a group of veins called the portal venous system which generally comes from and affects the stomach and other parts of the digestive system.
• Uterine fibroids.
• Pregnancy
• Trauma to the abdominal area
• Abdominal abscess, abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute congestive heart failure, and bowel obstruction
• Hepatic encephalopathy. An advanced form of liver failure that is caused by accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream which are generally removed by the liver.
• Peritonitis. A condition that affects the soft membranes lining the inner abdominal wall and coating the organs in the abdominal area.