What Causes Pain in the Lower Right Abdomen in Women?

With societal progress and the elevation of women’s status, increasing work and life pressures have left many women feeling fatigued and physically unwell—sometimes experiencing abdominal pain. So, what could be causing right lower quadrant abdominal pain in women?

What Causes Right Lower Quadrant Abdominal Pain in Women?

Right lower quadrant abdominal pain in women may stem from several causes: 1. Adnexitis (inflammation of the uterus and adnexa): Typically presents with right lower quadrant pain and is often accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, and purulent vaginal discharge. 2. Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Usually causes recurrent lower abdominal pain and discomfort, frequently associated with increased vaginal discharge, menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, or infertility. 3. Malignant tumors: Cannot be ruled out—these may not only cause lower abdominal pain but also lead to symptoms such as indigestion, unintentional weight loss, and changes in bowel habits. 4. Ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage: In women of childbearing age, right lower quadrant pain may indicate a ruptured ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous abortion.

Women presenting with right lower quadrant pain should undergo ultrasound examination to assess for acute appendicitis, corpus luteum rupture, ovarian cyst torsion or rupture, and other possible conditions. Sexually active women should also have serum β-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) testing to rule out ectopic pregnancy. If ultrasound reveals uncomplicated adnexal inflammation, conservative management—including local heat application and traditional Chinese herbal enemas to promote blood circulation and resolve stasis—may help alleviate the pain. However, conditions such as acute appendicitis, corpus luteum rupture, ovarian cyst complications, or ectopic pregnancy may require surgical intervention.

In daily life, women should remain attentive to bodily changes and seek timely medical evaluation and treatment when symptoms arise. We hope this information proves helpful.