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Is Severe Abdominal Pain A Symptom Of Cancer?
Question: Looking to put some concerns of mine to rest before I go and see my actual Doctor. I need to speak to an OBGYN if possible?
Brief Answer:
Thank you for the question
Detailed Answer:
I am here to help - please provide me with details of your question.
Dr. Raichle
Thank you for the question
Detailed Answer:
I am here to help - please provide me with details of your question.
Dr. Raichle
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Ive been having abdominal pain, and ofcourse i think the worst. Im afraid of cancer, and havent seen a dr for almost 2yrs. My last pap came back crystal clear other than a functioning cyst they found. Painful intercourse, but not always. I guess i just want to rule out cancer as much as possible?
Brief Answer:
You almost certainly do not have cancer...
Detailed Answer:
Thank you again for the question. So, in summary, you are a 30 year old with abdominal pain but otherwise healthy. Here are some facts:
1. Cervical cancer is rare in 30 year olds and a pap smear two years ago that was normal almost completely rules this out as a source of your pain. In fact, women in their 30's really only need this test every three years (when combined with HPV screening)
2. Ovarian cancer typically has its onset at age 61 years. Even in familial syndromes, the occurrence is sometime after 40.
3. Uterine cancer - this is typically found in older women as well and typically associated with very abnormal bleeding
4. GI related cancers (colon, stomach, pancreas, etc.) almost never occur in women at 30 years of age
So, the point is that the chance of a cancer is so rare that you should just get this out of your head. I could not really comment, though, on your abdominal pain without a lot more details. Please provide more of your symptoms and I will try to help you further.
Dr. Tim
You almost certainly do not have cancer...
Detailed Answer:
Thank you again for the question. So, in summary, you are a 30 year old with abdominal pain but otherwise healthy. Here are some facts:
1. Cervical cancer is rare in 30 year olds and a pap smear two years ago that was normal almost completely rules this out as a source of your pain. In fact, women in their 30's really only need this test every three years (when combined with HPV screening)
2. Ovarian cancer typically has its onset at age 61 years. Even in familial syndromes, the occurrence is sometime after 40.
3. Uterine cancer - this is typically found in older women as well and typically associated with very abnormal bleeding
4. GI related cancers (colon, stomach, pancreas, etc.) almost never occur in women at 30 years of age
So, the point is that the chance of a cancer is so rare that you should just get this out of your head. I could not really comment, though, on your abdominal pain without a lot more details. Please provide more of your symptoms and I will try to help you further.
Dr. Tim
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Dr XXXXXXX
After finding out about my cyst, and that i could come back during my menstrual period then go away again, ive related some of the pains i feel to that. Since giving birth to my second child, intercourse has become less enjoyable and more of a chore. I am extremely tender sometimes, or it may not bother me at all other times. I have pains that feel like menstrual cramps, in that area. Not pain that is unbearable, but more of a constant ache. More often than not. Im tired alot, but i have insomnia and two children so i blame that on my fatigue. Aside from the cramps i feel and pain during intercourse, i generally have no other issues. Backpain now and then but it is hard to tell if thats related to what i feel or not. Im lifting a toddler daily, moving heavy things from time to time. Your answer helped my fears, but im not quite ready yet to face them.
After finding out about my cyst, and that i could come back during my menstrual period then go away again, ive related some of the pains i feel to that. Since giving birth to my second child, intercourse has become less enjoyable and more of a chore. I am extremely tender sometimes, or it may not bother me at all other times. I have pains that feel like menstrual cramps, in that area. Not pain that is unbearable, but more of a constant ache. More often than not. Im tired alot, but i have insomnia and two children so i blame that on my fatigue. Aside from the cramps i feel and pain during intercourse, i generally have no other issues. Backpain now and then but it is hard to tell if thats related to what i feel or not. Im lifting a toddler daily, moving heavy things from time to time. Your answer helped my fears, but im not quite ready yet to face them.
Brief Answer:
This sounds like a common GYN problem
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the details. I will summarize them as follows:
1. You are a 20 year old with two children
2. You have cycle related pain that has been associated with the typical cysts that come and go during a cycle
3. Intercourse has been more of an issue after the birth of your second child
4. The pain with intercourse might be felt as a menstrual like cramp / deep ache
5. You are fatigued and have sleep disturbance
So, you sound pretty normal, for what that is worth. But seriously, we deal with problems related to painful intercourse all of the time. Common causes like you are describing might include:
1. Endometriosis - a common cause of painful cycles and painful intercourse with deep insertion
2. Poor healing from an obstetrical laceration - this would be the easiest thing to fix
3. Pain related to ovarian cysts - it is normal to have cysts that come and go each month, but these can be a source of pain
4. Relaxation of the pelvic floor or 'prolapse'
With regard to the fatigue, you should have a blood count checked (CBC) and your thyroid checked. The best treatment for you is to:
1. Schedule a visit with an OB/GYN
2. Be specific about the pain and WHERE it is and WHEN it occurs
3. Make sure they do an exam and specifically comment on how you healed from the deliveries and whether there is any prolapse present
One option, if you are not on them already, is to consider birth control pills. They will help to reduce the recruitment of ovarian cysts AND decrease pain that might be related to endometriosis.
Dr. Tim
This sounds like a common GYN problem
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the details. I will summarize them as follows:
1. You are a 20 year old with two children
2. You have cycle related pain that has been associated with the typical cysts that come and go during a cycle
3. Intercourse has been more of an issue after the birth of your second child
4. The pain with intercourse might be felt as a menstrual like cramp / deep ache
5. You are fatigued and have sleep disturbance
So, you sound pretty normal, for what that is worth. But seriously, we deal with problems related to painful intercourse all of the time. Common causes like you are describing might include:
1. Endometriosis - a common cause of painful cycles and painful intercourse with deep insertion
2. Poor healing from an obstetrical laceration - this would be the easiest thing to fix
3. Pain related to ovarian cysts - it is normal to have cysts that come and go each month, but these can be a source of pain
4. Relaxation of the pelvic floor or 'prolapse'
With regard to the fatigue, you should have a blood count checked (CBC) and your thyroid checked. The best treatment for you is to:
1. Schedule a visit with an OB/GYN
2. Be specific about the pain and WHERE it is and WHEN it occurs
3. Make sure they do an exam and specifically comment on how you healed from the deliveries and whether there is any prolapse present
One option, if you are not on them already, is to consider birth control pills. They will help to reduce the recruitment of ovarian cysts AND decrease pain that might be related to endometriosis.
Dr. Tim
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Im sorry, what is obstetrical laseration? While giving birth to my second son, i felt something pop inside of me as i was delivering him. I didnt have an episiotomy like i did with ny first, and both of my deliveries were all natural. Feeling something pop is the best way i can explain it. I had no problems afterward as far as recovery, i was walking around within 30mins.
Brief Answer:
The pop was probably a tear of some kind..
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry and I should have been more clear in lay terms. An obstetric laceration is a tear at the time of the delivery. It is almost always the same as an episiotomy, and patients who have had an episiotomy almost always tear in the same location with subsequent deliveries. So, the pop you heard was a tear. And if the tear was not repaired (which sometimes is the case if it is not too big and is not bleeding), then this could be part of the long-term problem. I have been involved in thousands of deliveries and this 'pop' is almost always related to a tear on the back side of the vagina.
Yes, you were up and moving great after the delivery, but the cost of not repairing even small tears is that the area does not heal normally and certainly might be related to problems like you are describing.
I will stick by my prior answer otherwise. Does this help?
Dr. Tim
The pop was probably a tear of some kind..
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry and I should have been more clear in lay terms. An obstetric laceration is a tear at the time of the delivery. It is almost always the same as an episiotomy, and patients who have had an episiotomy almost always tear in the same location with subsequent deliveries. So, the pop you heard was a tear. And if the tear was not repaired (which sometimes is the case if it is not too big and is not bleeding), then this could be part of the long-term problem. I have been involved in thousands of deliveries and this 'pop' is almost always related to a tear on the back side of the vagina.
Yes, you were up and moving great after the delivery, but the cost of not repairing even small tears is that the area does not heal normally and certainly might be related to problems like you are describing.
I will stick by my prior answer otherwise. Does this help?
Dr. Tim
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Very much so. Thank you so much for all of your help. You have helped ease my mind and that is exactly what i needed
Brief Answer:
You are very welcome...
Detailed Answer:
It has been a pleasure and I wish you the best of luck.
Dr. Tim
You are very welcome...
Detailed Answer:
It has been a pleasure and I wish you the best of luck.
Dr. Tim
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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