Lower right abdomenal(abdominal) pain

I am 23 years old and for couple months now I have expereinced pain in my lower abdomenal (abdominal) area. At first it was just nagging pain but recently the pain has increased. I also noted that it starts to hurt more when my period begins and some time after it ends. However, it does not hurt me when I sleep. I do have my monthy cramps but this pain is not the same. In the last month the pain has moved to my right side. I went for a vaginal ultrasound and no abnormalities were discoverd. The doctor said there was a small cyst but of no great concern becasue it is 1.5cm.In addtion, they also took an external ultrasound of my right abdomen, checked gallbladder, and kidneys. Everything was normal. I do exercise and maybe I strayed my abdomen. Is the problem in my reproductive organs, could it be endometriosis?

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
It could be endometriosis, it certainly has characteristics that suggest endometriosis, such as worsening around the time of your cycle.  The way to find out is by laparoscopy.
I usually have my patients follow a good bowel regimen ( fibre/water/milk of magnesia) for a few weeks before surgery to rule out irritable bowel syndrome. (the part of your story that is suspicious for IBS is that the pain moves around.)  If the bowel regimen helps, then GREAT!  If not, then we move on to laparoscopy.
Another option is to try oral contraceptive and anti-inflammatories ( Aleve, etc) for awhile. If these help, then surgery can be deferred, and a presumptive diagnosis of endometriosis can be made.
I hope this helps!
Good luck!
Dr B