Abdominal pain and tenderness

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am a 27-year old female with abdominal pain and tenderness. The pain is in my lower abdomen, and seems to be a gassy pressure-type pain that worsens when I have to have a bowel movement or pass gas, but eases off once I'm finished and never quite goes away. My lower abdomen is tender to the touch. I have had this problem before, and usually it goes away by itself in a couple of days, but this is the second week so far this time. What is wrong with me, and how can it be treated? Thanks.

Dear Tina:

According to your symptoms, In my opinion it could be related either with gas accumulation in your intestines, however since you notice tenderness to touch, It could also be normal pain caused by our menstrual cycles when they reach peak of hormones also know as mittelschmerz, or pain, during ovulation. This pain occurs when the woman's body releases an egg (ovulation) approximately two weeks before the start of her menstrual period. Mittelschmerz is usually not severe, and the pain typically goes away in a few days and also by the characteristic of increasing pain when defecating, endometriosis might need to be ruled out as well. In the meantime, Warm baths and a heating pad can help relax pelvic muscles, reducing cramping and pain.