Abdominal pain

I am a 38 year old female with two children, 4 and 1. Uneventful pregnancy and births, although I did need to take Clomid to become pregnant with #2.

Ever since the second baby, my bowel movements have been irregular but seem normal when I have them. For several months I have had a pain in my lower left abdomen and lots of gas. Usually it's an ache but sometimes it can be a pinching/burning sensation. And sometimes it's closer to the middle than the side.

My family doctor, an internist, had me do an abdominal catscan which was normal. I'm going to question her further about what might be the cause but haven't got an appointment yet.

1) What can the catscan rule out? (For example, ovarian cancer which terrifies me??)

2) Could there be a "normal" cause for this?

I don't want to turn into a hypochondriac but I also don't want to miss something that could have been caught early on. I did have a colonoscopy about 5 years ago due to bleeding from hemarroids (sp?) and that was also normal. Overall, I feel good and I'm not overweight.

Thanks.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:

1) CT scan can rule out mass effects, obstruction, or inflammatory process.  Specific diseases that can be evaluated for on a CT scan would be diverticulitis, colitis, tumors or masses, appendix, liver/gall bladder (although ultrasound is better for this), and the pancreas.  

If you're concerned about ovarian cancer, a transvaginal ultrasound would be a better test.

2) I'm not sure if there is a "normal" cause for this.  If the CT scan and colonoscopy are negative, I would suggest that treatment for irritable bowel syndrome be discussed.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.