What causes a dull ache in the lower left abdomen during pregnancy?

There are many reasons for dull pain on the left side of the abdomen in pregnant women after conception. It could be physiological, as hormone levels in the body undergo significant changes during pregnancy and the enlarging uterus may pull on surrounding ligaments, causing mild left-sided abdominal discomfort. It could also be pathological, associated with ectopic pregnancy, threatened miscarriage, colitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or other conditions. If the pain persists or gradually worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to seek medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

1. Physiological Causes

Dull pain in the lower left abdomen of pregnant women may occur because most women's uteruses are slightly tilted to the right. As gestational age increases, the growing uterus can stretch tissues on the left side, leading to mild discomfort in the lower left abdomen. Generally, this does not affect daily life and does not require special treatment—regular prenatal checkups are sufficient.

2. Pathological Causes

1) Ectopic Pregnancy

Pregnant women experiencing dull pain in the lower left abdomen, especially during early pregnancy, should consider ectopic pregnancy as a possibility. An ectopic pregnancy located in the left adnexal region may cause such discomfort. If the ectopic pregnancy ruptures, severe, tearing pain may develop in the lower left abdomen. Surgical intervention at a hospital is recommended to terminate the pregnancy.

2) Threatened Miscarriage

Dull pain in the lower left abdomen during early pregnancy may also indicate a threatened miscarriage, which could result from abnormal embryonic development or external adverse stimuli affecting the mother. If abdominal pain worsens or vaginal bleeding occurs, prompt medical attention is necessary for fetal preservation treatment.

3) Colitis

Dull pain in the lower left abdomen during mid to late pregnancy may often be due to intestinal inflammation caused by abdominal exposure to cold or consumption of unhygienic food. A blood test at the hospital can help confirm the diagnosis. If colitis is confirmed, treatment with a small dose of penicillin under medical supervision may be appropriate based on the type of pathogen involved.

Additionally, if a woman had a history of pelvic inflammatory disease before pregnancy, particularly with inflammatory adhesions in the left pelvic region, the growing uterus during pregnancy may pull on these adhesions, leading to dull pain in the lower left abdomen. Under a doctor’s guidance, anti-infective medications such as cephalosporins may be used to relieve symptoms.