Certain reproductive conditions and disorders such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, cervical cancer or STDs can cause abdominal pain accompanied with spotting. Some of these conditions are benign and may go away without treatment and others require medical attention. Abdominal pain does not always point to a reproductive or hormonal issue, however, spotting in conjunction with cramping usually does.
Pregnancy
During the first few days of conception, the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining. At this time, pregnancy often goes unnoticed. However, some women feel mild abdominal cramps or implantation cramping, and experience light bleeding at this time called spotting or implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding normally occurs a week to a few days before the menstrual period would normally start, according to Just Mommies. Since this bleeding occurs so closely to the time that the menstrual period would begin, some women assume that it is an early period. However, the bleeding will not become heavier as it does in menstruation. Light bleeding and cramping are two symptoms of early pregnancy.
Ovulation
Ovulation occurs midway through a woman's menstrual cycle. This process takes place when levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone surge. During this surge, a follicle within the ovary bursts open and releases an egg. Some women may feel mild cramping around this time known as middle pain or mittelschmerz. Mittelschmerz are one-sided pains that may occur from the surface of the ovary stretching at the time of the follicle releasing an egg or from a small amount of blood or fluid escaping the ovary and irritating the abdominal lining. This same blood may make its way through the uterus into the vagina.
Uterine Growths
Uterine growths such as uterine fibroids can cause abdominal cramping and irregular menstrual cycles. Uterine fibroids are round rubbery masses that form on the uterine lining, within the uterine muscle, under the outside covering of the uterus or under the endometrial surface. Although the causes of these fibroids are not fully understood, MedlinePlus states that they are estrogen sensitive and may continue to grow as long as a woman is menstruating. A woman can have one fibroid or several and they can become big enough to fill the entire uterus. Symptoms of uterine fibroids are abdominal pain, bloating, heavy menstruation and pain during intercourse.
Ovarian Growths
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form within the ovaries. The most common ovarian cysts are follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts. Follicular cysts form when the follicle within the ovary fails to open during ovulation. When it doesn't open, the follicle remains full of fluid, which then becomes a cyst. Corpus luteum cysts form when the follicle releases an egg, but doesn't seal off properly after. Symptoms of ovarian cysts are bloating, abdominal swelling, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse and severe pelvic pain. MedlinePlus states that spotting and menstrual irregularities occur with corpus luteum cysts and not so much with follicular cysts.
Cervical Cancer
MedlinePlus states that the third most common type of cancer in women worldwide is cervical cancer. This form of cancer begins on the surface of the cervix. Cervical cancer develops slowly and is normally 100 percent treatable if caught in the precancerous, or dysplastic stage. If cervical cancer is allowed to develop it can spread to the intestines, bladder, lungs and liver. MedlinePlus states that having multiple sex partners, weakened immune systems, poor economical status or having sex at a young age may increase your risk of developing cervical cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer are loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, spotting and heavy vaginal bleeding.
