Abdominal pain in women : remote triage

Abdominal pain in women is a multifaceted clinical issue that presents significant diagnostic challenges due to its diverse etiologies and the unique physiological and psychological factors influencing women’s health. The complexity of diagnosing abdominal pain in women is heightened by the interplay of gynecological, gastrointestinal, urological, and other systemic conditions that can manifest as abdominal discomfort. For instance, conditions such as acute appendicitis, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis are prevalent among women of reproductive age, while postmenopausal women may experience abdominal pain related to different pathologies, including adnexal torsion or gastrointestinal disorders (Callan et al., 2019; KM, 2022; Biler et al., 2016; Aydin et al., 2019).

Epidemiologically, the prevalence of abdominal pain in women is notable, with studies indicating that women report higher pain sensitivity and a greater incidence of chronic pain conditions compared to men (Callan et al., 2019). This disparity may be attributed to hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline in estrogen levels during menopause, which has been linked to increased pain severity (Callan et al., 2019). Furthermore, psychological factors such as stress and anxiety have been shown to exacerbate abdominal pain, particularly in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which disproportionately affects women (Han et al.,...