What causes severe abdominal pain?
Patient: My girlfriend is on her period and started yesterday.  We were just recently lying around watching a movie and all of a sudden she started complaining about a severe abdominal pain.  She turned pail white, had to rush to the bathroom to relieve her bowels.  The pain is in the center of her pelvic area.  Sharp pain.  She says that it isn't like any other cramps she's had.  She  has dizziness as well.  She says that it feels better when she lays on her side.  the pain is slightly subsiding but I am worried it could possibly be her appendix.  Please advise Doctor: Hello,Apart from appendicitis and a urinary tract infection (UTI), I would be more concerned about an unsuspected ectopic pregnancy in case you both are sexually active. Diagnosing any of this condition would require a physical examination of your abdomen along with some routine blood tests like a complete blood count, a serum HCG test, and an ultrasound of the abdomen at the earliest. Therefore I would advise you to please take her to the emergency room of the nearest hospital for a detailed assessment and appropriate management. Till then you could give her some antispasmodic drug for symptomatic relief.Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.Regards,Dr. M Y Shareef