Abdominal discomfort & cramps

[April2]

What can cause abdominal discomfort when bending over (lower abdomen), a feeling of fullness in lower abdomen (bloating) and menstrual like cramps when it's not that time of the month? And no, I'm not pregnant and I've had my appendix out. I'm 44, female, non smoker, non drinker and in general good health. Just curious. It's not excruciating, just trying to figure it out. Thanks.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the forum!
The symptoms could be due to IBS, diverticulitis, colitis, lactose intolerance (which you have), gluten intolerance, polycystic ovary and extra uterine endometriosis. Keep a stress diary and see which food items are causing your symptoms to worsen. Consult a gynecologist to rule out ovary and endometriosis problem. I would strongly recommend you to see a gastroenterologist too (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system).
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[April2]

Isn't that something how everything seems to go back to the gut?  I think I may be lactose intolerant too. Thanks so much for writing. I appreciate it!

[FurballsMom]

I have both GERD and IBS.  Some of these pains you're describing sound like IBS.  IBS can cause the bloated and fullness feeling you're talking about.  And, it can cause the cramps you're talking about.  These sound a lot like how my symptoms of IBS were when I was first diagnosed.  Usually a change in diet can resolve the symptoms.  A lot of us with IBS have gluten and lactose intolerances.

[April2]

I do have GERD, I guess, but I don't know if any of this could be related.