Pain in the lower tummy · For ages 8–12
Why does my lower tummy hurt when I am not on my period?
Pain low in your tummy can have many different causes. If you have periods, it is particularly useful to notice whether pain happens only around your period or on other days as well.
About what you notice
What is happening?
Perhaps you have pain low in your tummy on days when you are not having a period, or before you have had your first period. The pain might ache, press, feel sharp or come as cramps. Tell an adult where it hurts and when it began.
Several parts of your body lie close together low in your tummy. The intestine is a long tube that food passes through after you eat. The bladder is a kind of pouch that stores urine. The uterus is a small hollow organ with muscles in its walls, and is where a baby can grow before birth.
When you have a period, blood and small pieces of a soft lining from the uterus pass out through the vagina, a passage that ends at an opening between your legs. Menstrual pain usually happens just before or while you bleed. Pain on other days may have several other causes.
For example, you may have pain if poo is hard and difficult to pass. This is called constipation. Pain may also come from the urinary tract, the parts of your body that make, store and release urine. Other things can cause pain as well.
You do not have to work out which body part the pain is coming from. Explain what it feels like, whether it is on one side or in the middle of your tummy, and whether you also have a fever, vomit or have trouble peeing or pooing. A doctor can investigate the cause.
If the pain is sudden or severe, you develop a fever, vomit several times or feel very unwell, tell an adult immediately. You should also get help if pain keeps returning or makes school, sleep or playing difficult.
Find what fits best
Which sounds most like what you notice?
Choose the option closest to what you have seen, felt or noticed.
Why does my lower tummy hurt when I am not on my period?
Forklaringskort
Important to know
Low in your tummy are the bladder, parts of the intestine and the uterus. The bladder stores urine. The intestine is a long tube food passes through, where what is left after digestion becomes poo. The uterus is a small hollow organ with muscles in its walls.
Because these parts lie close together, it can be difficult to know exactly where pain is coming from. A doctor can help find that out.
No. Menstrual pain usually happens around the time of your period. Pain occurring on completely different days can have other causes.
The intestines and bladder can also cause pain in this area. You do not have to guess which organ is involved. Explain where it hurts, whether you have your period and whether you have other symptoms. An adult can help you find the right care.
It may help to remember whether the pain happens before, during or after your period, after eating, when you pee or without any pattern you can see.
Think about the last time it happened: Were you at school, had you just eaten or were you using the toilet? One example is enough to begin with. You do not need a complete record, and you should tell an adult straight away if you become very unwell.
Pain may feel like aching, pressure, cramps, stinging or a sharp pain. It can also be useful to explain whether it is on one side or in the middle of your tummy.
You can point, draw or use words such as 'waves', 'stabbing' or 'pressure'. Also say if you had to stop playing or lie down. This tells someone about your experience even if you cannot describe the pain exactly.
Also say if you have a fever, vomiting, difficulty peeing, bleeding or unusual discharge. This information can help an adult or doctor understand more.
Explain whether you are having trouble pooing, need to pee more often or have less appetite than usual. That does not mean you have to find the cause yourself. An adult can help you describe the full situation to healthcare professionals.
Tell an adult if pain returns often, lasts a long time or makes it difficult to attend school, sleep or play. A doctor can help find the cause.
Tell an adult immediately if pain starts suddenly and is severe, becomes stronger, or you also have a fever, vomit repeatedly or feel seriously unwell. Then you need prompt help. If the situation is urgent and your GP is unavailable, you can call the out-of-hours medical service on 116 117.
What next?
What can you do next?
You can say: 'My lower tummy hurts even though I am not on my period.' Explain whether it is on one side or in the middle, when it happens and whether you notice anything else at the same time.
If you need help urgently, an adult can contact your GP or call the out-of-hours medical service on 116 117.
Sources
These are the sources used for this article. Some are written for teenagers, adults or healthcare professionals.
- Helsenorge: Magesmerter hos barn og ungdom (Norwegian), opens in a new tab
- Helsenorge: Forstoppelse hos barn (Norwegian), opens in a new tab
- Helsenorge: Menstruasjon og smerter (Norwegian), opens in a new tab
- Helsenorge: Urinveisinfeksjon hos barn (Norwegian), opens in a new tab
- Helsenorge: Legevakt (Norwegian), opens in a new tab