Downstairs toilets: 100 Downstairs toilet ideas | makeover kamar mandi, dekor kamar mandi, kamar mandi

Downstairs Toilet Ideas: 14 Designs for a Statement Cloakroom

Whether it’s tucked away in an awkward corner, situated right by the entry way or hidden under the stairs, your downstairs toilet can be a difficult space to decorate. Usually small, dark and awkwardly shaped, many homeowners leave them plain and locked away, rarely to be seen.

But this doesn’t need to be the case. There are plenty of ways to transform your dingy downstairs toilet into a design haven your guests will be asking questions about. Where did you get that wallpaper? What colour are the walls? Where did you find that wonderful decor?

Whether you’re a maximalist wanting to go wild in the W/C or a neutral minimalist creating a calming space, these downstairs toilet ideas are sure to inspire you…

Make a statement with wallpaper

Graham & Brown

Usually, homeowners avoid using wallpaper in bathrooms due to the damp nature of the room – showers produce a lot of condensation that, without proper application, can cause wallpaper to either fall down, or worse, fall apart. But your downstairs toilet is the perfect place to make use of that maximalist wallpaper you’ve been dying to incorporate into your interiors, like this example from Graham & Brown. Typically, the ground floor w/c simply houses a toilet and a sink, so you don’t have to worry about extensive water damage. Often a smaller area, you can get away with covering every wall in a busy print without overwhelming the space. Why not even cover the ceiling too? There’s no rules when it comes to interiors, especially in the loo!

Incorporate original features into your downstairs toilet design

@artdecojewel

If you live in an older home with period details and quirky features, incorporating them into your downstairs bathroom design gives a really unique look. When Nina of @artdecojewel on Instagram transformed her cupboard under the stairs, she made a one-of-a-kind feature a focal point in the space. ‘We knew we could make a feature of the original stained glass window’ she says, explaining ‘we teamed it with these glorious crackle glaze pink tiles and then spent ages looking for colourful wallpaper, but when we saw the Faunacation wallpaper from Divine Savages it changed everything. I love the drama of the space, the magical light from the stained glass and the expressions on the big cats faces!’

Create a feature wall with colourful tiles

Bert & May

Tiles are an obvious choice when it comes to decorating your downstairs toilet, but an easy way to make it more interesting is to choose something with a fun colour or pattern. These tiles by Bert & May are really rather simple; just half white, half green, but when they are applied to the wall they create a striking striped design. Adding colour and pattern is an easy way to make a small space like a cloakroom feel more interesting, perfect if you’re trying to avoid a bland room struggling to find a sense of identity in your beautifully designed home.

You might also like feature wall ideas to make a stylish statement

Transform your W/C into a maximalist haven

@zephs_house

For a downstairs bathroom that has it all, why not combine a dark colour scheme, busy wallpaper, patterned tiles and luscious house plants? Leila of @zephs_house chose a gorgeous jungle-themed wallpaper which, paired with the black and white floor tiles and more decorative wall tiles, creates a cohesive space with more to discover the longer you admire it. ‘We love the space because it has the wow factor and surprises new guests’ she explains, adding ‘we chose to decorate it like this because the space is so small we could really go ‘wild’ without spending a fortune. It’s my favourite room in the house.’

Create a smart layout with built-in units

Victoria Plumbing

Going back to the fact downstairs toilets are often shorter on space than the average bathroom, you’ll want to think about your choice of appliances. Built-in units are ideal, tailored to perfectly fit your space, but why not take it one step further? This example from Victoria Plumbing has a toilet and vanity combined in one unit, which not only saves on crucial floor space, but it actually makes the cloakroom look more tailored and put together. A win-win if you ask us!

Keep it traditional with wall panelling

The English Panelling Company

If you’re more of a traditionalist, panelling is a great way to give your downstairs toilet a fresh look. Tongue and groove panelling is particularly popular in spaces like the downstairs toilet as they look lovely, like this bathroom by The English Panelling Company, and are also easy to clean. They are a great alternative to tiles as you skip the enduring chore of trying to clean grout. These panels interlock with no gaps between them, so there’s no need to a material like grout and the cleaning process is much easier and, more importantly, much quicker. Plus, if you want to switch up the colour after a couple of years, wood is much easier to add a lick of paint to!

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Use mirrors to give the illusion of more space

Pooky

When designing your downstairs toilet, make sure to add mirrors wherever you can. Aside from their obvious use, mirrors are great for making a space feel larger. Particularly effective in small, dark spaces, a mirror will help to bounce light to multiple surfaces, which is especially useful in a W/C that might lack light sources. And for downstairs loos that have the rare luxury of a window, a mirror will spread that daylight and make the room feel much brighter and more welcoming. This round wall mirror from Pooky is perfectly positioned between two wall lights, so what would have been a small section of the room benefitting from the lights has now become a beacon for every corner.

Embrace the darkness with a moody colour scheme

@madelaineblogs

Sometimes, letting a dark space stay dark can look incredibly sophisticated. Your downstairs toilet is a great room to do this, which is exactly what Madelaine of @madelaineblogs on Instagram did. ‘When we decided to turn our unused under-stairs cupboard into a downstairs toilet, I knew straight away I wanted to embrace the fact it had no natural light and to go dark’ she says. ‘I’m so glad we did. It’s one of my favourite rooms in the house, despite being the smallest, and is probably our most commented on by visitors. Who says small rooms can’t pack a punch? The dark green walls, ceiling and woodwork, paired with brass finishes help to create a perfectly moody, sophisticated and dramatic feel. I absolutely love it.’

Save space with a dual toilet and basin

Plumbworld

For a lot of properties, particularly those on the older side, the downstairs toilet would have been added at a much later date, which means it has probably been squeezed into a small corner or in the space under the stairs. Adding a toilet with a built in sink, like this one from Plumbworld, not only saves space, but it’s also more water efficient, so you can give your W/C a fresh look whilst helping to save the plant.

Be bold with a colour and pattern

@awholenewbuild

There’s no reason you can’t go all out with bright colours and busy patterns in your downstairs bathroom. Mel of @awholenewbuild on Instagram took the plunge in her W/C, mixing vivacious colours, printed wallpaper and patterned floor tiles, creating the cloakroom of a maximalist’s dreams. ‘Our downstairs W/C is so tiny, I felt like I’d be able to get away with going a little crazy with pattern and colour in here – it always surprises visitors when they see it for the first time’ says Mel. ‘I had fallen in love with the wallpaper and colour matched the paint for the panelling to the pink from the wallpaper. I also had the lino flooring colour matched to bring the different colours together. We love how fun and vibrant it is, it always makes me smile.’

You might also like how to mix and match pattern in your home

Have fun with floor tiles

Tile Giant

Busy walls and vibrant tones all over the walls isn’t to everyone’s taste, so why not switch things up by creating interest with floor tiles? From reclaimed encaustic tiles to porcelain squares inspired by the past, you can find some truly beautiful options. The beauty with floor tiles is there is so much variety – opt for a more neutral, patterned tile like these ones from Tile Giant, or create an eclectic mosaic with mis-matched designs.

Create storage options with a freestanding vanity

Better Bathrooms

When you’re tight on space, smart storage is everything. A freestanding vanity is usually a popular choice in a downstairs toilet, often looking refined and sophisticated in a small space. The great thing about this style of bathroom storage is that you not only have the cupboard space, but also a perfectly usable gap between its base and the floor, so you can slide a couple of baskets holding your less used items that have nowhere else to live.

Draw the eye up with contrasting colours

Farrow & Ball

A trick as old as time, using contrasting paint colours is an easy way to elongate a space. Opt for a darker paint colour on three quarters of the wall, and top it off with a much lighter colour. Not only will it make the room look taller, but you eye will naturally be drawn to the lighter paint colour. Go one step further by adding some art work, like in the downstairs toilet created using Farrow & Ball paint colours.

Lean into the light with neutral tones

Little Greene

Light, airy neutrals are an easy and effective way to brighten a small space. Instead of opting for stark white tones in every corner, why not pair a few neutral tones to add some warmth to an otherwise cold space? This bathroom by Little Greene combines three different shades of the same colour to add depth and interest to the walls. On the lower part of the wall, Travertine Light, the palest of the colours has been used, and on the upper portion, Travertine Mid has been used, which makes the space feel cosy without the room feeling smaller. On the dado rail, the darkest tone of the colour has been used, pulling all the shades together. This is great way to add multiple colours into a space while keeping to a more minimalist palette.

Downstairs Toilet Ideas: Get the Most from a Small Cloakroom

(Image credit: David Barbour)

Small in stature, but an important space to get right, downstairs toilet ideas can come in all styles and designs.

A small cloakroom is generally used by guests and is a must in home with a young family, but they an often a forgotten corner of a floorplan. As such, ensuring the bathroom design is well-considered, practical and welcoming should be top priority.

Designing a downstair toilets in a self build or extension will require a different level of imagination when compared with renovating or updating an existing spatially-challenged spot under the stairs. From bold wallpapers to space-saving sanitary-wear, there are all kinds of clever tricks to make compact water closets the best they can be.

So, we’ve collected a range of inspirational ideas, with comments from bathroom and industry experts as well as interior designers to help you eke out every inch of potential from your space.

Practical Advice for Downstairs Toilet Ideas

“If you’re planning to add a downstairs toilet or cloakroom to your home then there are a few things that you need to consider. One of the most important factors is size; how much space do you have?” advises Graeme Borchard, MD of UK Bathrooms .

“To ensure your new cloakroom is functional the minimum space to work with would be 1,300mm x 700mm, anything bigger than this means that your new space will be that much more comfortable.

“When planning a new downstairs toilet or cloakroom, homeowners forget that Building Regulations require that any new cloakroom has to have suitable ventilation such as an extractor fan. Also it’s very useful if your door opens outwards.”

You should also have at least two doors between a downstairs bathroom and a kitchen area.

1. Work Out the Size and Shape of Your Downstairs Cloakroom

(Image credit: UK Bathrooms)

Let the frequency of the use of the downstairs small bathroom guide the size of the space.

“The size of an additional bathroom area is dependent on your requirements, the main limit would most likely be determined by the layout and space available in your property,” advises Lydia Luxford, customer and technical services manager, of Easy Bathrooms . “However for a downstairs bathroom I would suggest only using the amount of space needed to fit the specific items you want in there.

“Unless you have a sprawling home, you won’t want to take extra space from other rooms as this could impact the resale value. My recommendation before going shopping to purchase a suite and tiles would be to really assess what you want from the room. Most downstairs bathrooms are just a simple toilet and basin or a toilet, basin and shower area for ease of access and use in a busy household.”

2. Prioritise Storage in a Small Downstairs Toilet

(Image credit: Easy Bathrooms)

Choosing the right bathroom storage ideas to incorporate into a limited space will be high on the list of things to get right from the off. Too much storage and the room will feel cramped; too little and supply of items like towels, cleaning products will have to be outsourced elsewhere.

“Storage is essential in a downstairs bathroom,” begins Ann Marie Cousins, founder of AMC Design . “Often these rooms are more compact, so use every nook and cranny available and consider a wall-mounted loo and vanity unit with storage underneath.

“Wall mounted makes the room feel bigger as the eye is drawn to the corners. Make sure you think about what you need to store in there. If it’s only extra loo rolls and smaller items, opt for a small unit — don’t buy larger for the sake of it.”

3. Choose the Right Layout for your Downstairs Loo

(Image credit: Easy Bathrooms)

For long and narrow rooms, positioning the sink and toilet along the longest wall is a good idea as long as there is enough leg room when sat down. If not, consider dedicating the very end for the toilet and centralise the sink, as in the above example.

Square layouts are blessed with a few different options. For one, adding a built-in units to keep toilet, sink and vanity unit together is a neat solution (plus the opposite wall can be used to hand coats and bags).

L-shaped cloakrooms can be tricky to lay out as you want guests to have room to manoeuvre, while still being practical for storing bits and bobs.

Freestanding and wall-hung units will help to make the floorspace feel less cramped and, if you’re building from scratch, concealing the cistern with a stud wall is a worth-while plan.

4. Use Space-saving Sanitarywear in Compact Cloakrooms

(Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

There is a fantastic range of space-saving sinks, vanity units and toilets available designed specifically for smaller water closets.

As no one will (generally) will be brushing their teeth or putting on make-up in this space, feel free to simply install a sink with no worktop. Plus, a narrow design will prevent bumped hips while squeezing past.

This stunning bathroom has kept the sanitarywear simple, but the decor interesting; the space is interesting and stylish for guests.

5. Add Some Personality with Quirky Wallpaper

(Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

Let a small space make a big impact by going bigger and bolder with the interior design and modern bathroom ideas.

“Bathrooms, in particular cloakrooms, are the perfect places to be a little bit bolder and braver with your interior design choices,” explains Rebecca Drury, co-founder, MissPrint . “Homeowners aren’t scared any more to make a statement and a vibrant, large-scale or bold dark wallpaper is definitely a great way to do this!”

Note in this small cloakroom that the built-in toilet and storage unit is finished in a complementary green, giving the entire space a cohesive look.

(Image credit: The Curious Department)

“Downstairs loos can often be one of the smallest rooms in the house but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a statement in them, explains Abbie Ireland, director at Patrick Ireland Frames .

“In my opinion, they are an opportunity to have a bit of fun and play around with patterns and designs that you might not feel bold enough to use anywhere else in the house.

“A statement wallpaper with a beautiful mirror can be all you need, or alternatively, stick to single wall colour and use the wall space for a photo gallery wall using different frame profiles to create more interest.”

Here, brassware, the mirror, lighting and vanity handles have been carefully matched for a smart, elegant look.

7. Try a Downstairs Toilet Under the Stairs

(Image credit: Matt Clayton)

“It’s pretty simple to create a cloakroom under your stairs; first of all measure the space, keep it simple with just a toilet and basin,” explains UK Bathrooms’ Graeme Borchard.

“Think about head room; ceiling heights are different from one house to the next but plan for your toilet to be placed under the stairs slope and your basin on the tallest wall or even in a corner.

“The next thing to consider is the waste pipe for your toilet, all waste pipes need to be connected to a soil pipe. Chat to a plumber if you’re unsure and at the same time you can plan for the water supply for both your basin and toilet.”

8. Play with Optical Illusions in Small Downstairs Bathrooms

(Image credit: Easy Bathrooms)

Include bathroom tile ideas for small bathrooms, specifically when researching laying patterns, materials and colours. There are endless options that can trick the eye into perceiving a room to be larger, or simple adding a little glamour to a practical space.

“Tiles can really bring a small space to life, especially in a tiny bathroom,” Amanda Telford, marketing manager at CTD Tiles , advises. “Try to be creative with the way you lay your tiles — think focal point splashbacks, interesting layouts etc.

“There are so many ways to use rectangular metro tiles for instance, whether that’s stacking them horizontally, which can make the room appear larger (as above), or creating a herringbone effect for maximum impact.

“Small bathrooms are often a place where you can be a bit bolder with your design choices, consider opting for pinks, greens, blues for a designer statement.”

9. Install a Wetroom or Shower for a Practical Space

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

Downstairs wetrooms are a highly practical thing to include in a renovation, extension or self build. Not only can they be used to future-proof a ground floor layout (for those who might take in a parent later in life), but they’re also ideal for families with pets or small children.

It can be helpful to use shower room ideas to help navigate the options available.

The project above is fabulous example of a small shower room which uses every inch of the space to create an inviting and functional bathroom. The stylish shower screen smartly protects the loo from getting splashed (a bugbear for many with wetrooms) while the monochrome-cum-period design won’t easily go out of style.

10. Place a Small Cloakroom Next to a Utility

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

If you’re really short on space, add a compact room next to the utility and only add a toilet — users can wash their hands at the utility sink, rather than cramming it into one space.

Combining downstairs toilet plans with small utility room ideas can also help you maximise the practicalities of both. For instance, if you lay the waste pipes along one wall for both rooms, you will save costs on plumbing.

This space-savvy house renovation included merging the two spaces together to form a unified cloakroom. An old butcher’s block was turned into a stand and an antique pail into a sink to save on costs of fitting a bathroom.

11. Go Bold with the Latest Styles

(Image credit: Burlington Bathrooms)

Homeowners tend to be braver in including the latest bathroom trends into a small downstairs toilet than in larger family bathrooms.

“Coloured sanitaryware is making a comeback,” explains interior designer Ann Marie Cousins. “If you’re tempted, think about a bold basin in your downstairs bathroom. Many companies are doing brilliant bright colours now in a range of materials, from porcelain to concrete. You’re not likely to change your sanitaryware often, so make sure to choose wisely!”

While we all remember (and have probably ripped out) turquoise, avocado or pink suites of the past, less garish options are now available and can be mixed-and-matched to tone down the brighter styles.

12. Add Tiles for a Practical Finish

(Image credit: Mereway Kitchen & Bathrooms)

In a similar way to small en suite ideas, choosing the right tiling is essential for a compact cloakroom. Anything too big and the room can feel oppressive, but tiny tiles are equally dangerous (and hard to clean).

“It is important to think about the tile scale relative to the size of the bathroom,” says Ann Marie Cousins. “A reduced number of grout lines can help create a sense of space. Small tiles like penny tiles are great for floors but walls need more character.”

13. Include Practical Cloakroom Flooring

(Image credit: Future)

As with any bathroom flooring, durability and low-maintenance qualities are king:

Porcelain, ceramic and real stone tiles can be expensive, but when designing such a small space, easily offset.
LVT or laminates are cheaper and can be installed on a DIY basis fairly quickly.
Engineered wood flooring will add some luxury when paired with underfloor heating (also eliminating the need for a towel rail or radiator).

In this under-stairs loo the same flooring has been continued into the small room — the result is a space that feels integrated into the rest of the house.

14. Clever Lighting Can Enhance a Small Downstairs Toilet

(Image credit: Iconic Lights)

The key to lighting a small cloakroom isn’t in the layering, unlike most other rooms in the house. No, in these compact spaces, choose one type of bathroom lighting ideas to illuminate the space well and to avoid over-cluttering.

A bonus of such a small floorspace is that you will probably only need one or two downlights or one bright pendant, saving money on fixtures and electrician bills.

Remember to check the IP rating before buying any new lights for a bathroom. This stylish design hangs the matt black pendant in line with the mirror so the space receives twice the illumination.

Where Should a Downstairs Toilet be Placed?

“Downstairs toilets are usually located on outside walls as this will give you easier access to drainage,” says Lydia Luxford of Easy Bathrooms.

“For most properties, they are most commonly positioned in areas of wasted space such as an unused cloakroom area or under the stairs, which avoids using up much needed floor space in other rooms of the property.

“If neither of these are suitable for your property, I would highly recommend positioning the toilet room close to an entry/exit of the property and as close to outside drainage — this will reduce the costs of linking the toilet to the draining system.”

(Image credit: Burlington Bathrooms)

How Much Does a New Small Cloakroom Cost?

Interior Designer Ann Marie Cousins advises: “Taking into consideration the brassware and surface materials which can hugely fluctuate the final cost, we’d give a rough estimate of the below:

£1,000 – £3,000: Vanity unit, basin and taps
£600 – £1,200: Toilet
£300 – £400: Accessories including mirror
£500: Tiles
£800: Electrical items including lighting, radiator / heated towel rail or underfloor heating
£1,500: Labour

(Image credit: CTD Tiles)

How Much Value Does a Downstairs Toilet Add in the UK?

“On average the value increase of an extra downstairs toilet can be up to 5% of a property value as they most definitely make houses more appealing to prospective buyers,” says Easy Bathrooms’ Lydia Luxford.

Assistant Editor Amy began working for Homebuilding & Renovating in 2018. She has an interest in sustainable building methods and always has her eye on the latest design ideas. Amy has interviewed countless self builders, renovators and extenders about their experiences for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine. She is currently renovating a mid-century home, together with her partner, on a DIY basis, and has recently fitted her own kitchen.

Small downstairs bathroom ideas – Grand Designs Magazine : Grand Designs Magazine

Bathroom

Small space ideas and practical tips to help you create a stylish, functional cloakroom

By Rebecca Parker | 12 August 2021

Whether you’re building a new home from scratch, giving a redundant under-the-stairs cupboard an overhaul or ripping out a dated suite, these downstairs bathroom ideas and practical tips will help you create a stylish, functional room in a small space.

Plan the layout

Identify exactly what you want the space to achieve. ‘Is it primarily for your family or will guests use it, too?’ asks architect Richard Gill at Paul Archer Design. ‘A room next to the utility/boot area where children, adults and dogs come in from outdoors will need to be very different to a cloakroom off the main entrance hall.’

If you’re renovating, the layout may be dictated by the existing services. ‘If you’re updating a cloakroom as part of a major project, the process of redirecting drainage, relative to the overall works, will be minor,’ says Gill. ‘But if you’re adding a new one, the cost and disruption of reorganising drainage can be limiting.’

This under-the-stairs scheme showcases Crosswater’s compact Kai collection

Pipes and ventilation

According to Melanie Clear, founder and director of Clear Architects, the position of the soil pipe is a key consideration. ‘It needs to be sited on an outside wall, ideally not on the front of the house,’ she says. ‘If this isn’t possible, a macerator, a unit that reduces waste so it can be pumped to the drain, is the best alternative – although it will need to be incorporated in the initial design.’

Adequate ventilation is also important when considering small downstairs bathroom ideas. Building regulations state that a window or extractor fan should be included to ensure the room has a sufficient supply of fresh air and to remove condensation.

Planning a layout that works should be your main priority. The position of the door, windows and basin are primary considerations, ensuring there’s enough space to make the room comfortable to use. Before choosing furniture and fittings, get a feel for the dimensions by marking out where products would be placed. This will provide an idea of how many square metres you’ll have once everything has been installed.

Paul Archer Design created this quirky cloakroom with brightly coloured taps from Vola

Space-saving solutions

If you are working in a small room, many bathroom suppliers offer a range of space-saving solutions, such as shallow basins and short-projection toilets. Some, like Victorian Plumbing, offer two-in-one toilets and basins (with the basin above the cistern) for the tightest of spots.

‘Avoid filling the floor: a wall-mounted loo and basin will give the impression the area is larger than it is,’ says Emma Scott, principal designer at CP Hart. ‘A shallow countertop with a small inset basin and shelf below is preferable to a chunky vanity unit with storage that you may not need.’

This cloakroom by Britton Bathrooms features a variety of patterns, colours and textures

Be storage savvy

A cloakroom doesn’t tend to have the same storage requirements as a family bathroom or en suite, so avoid cluttering the space with bulky furniture you won’t need. ‘Somewhere to keep spare loo rolls or a couple of cleaning products is normally ample,’ says Scott. ‘An area of countertop space is practical, somewhere to stand a handwash and hand lotion for guests.’

Incorporating built-in shelving or a cupboard in the recess creates a space-saving way to store items in a small downstairs bathroom. Alternatively, a slim, wall-mounted vanity cabinet offers a streamlined solution.

Plan the layout

This under-the-stairs scheme showcases Crosswater’s compact Kai collection

Pipes and ventilation

Paul Archer Design created this quirky cloakroom with brightly coloured taps from Vola

Space-saving solutions

This cloakroom by Britton Bathrooms features a variety of patterns, colours and textures

Be storage savvy

Image: Ripples bathroom featuring Val washbasin by Laufen and Axor Citterio E basin mixer tap

Choosing ceramics

Striking a balance between practicality and aesthetics can be challenging when considering small downstairs bathroom ideas, but it also provides an opportunity to be a little extravagant. ‘An expensive tile or wallpaper that may be out of your budget for larger areas could be more achievable,’ says Melissa Robinson, director at MW Architects.

Experiment with colour, choose a decorative basin or an interesting tap. As it’s most likely to be used by guests, this is a great place to make a big impression. ‘It’s an opportunity to showcase your individual style,’ says Scott.

‘Tiling the entire room in the same design is effective in small spaces, creating a tailored look,’ says Clear. Hanging a large mirror will also make the space feel bigger.

Duravit Vero handbasin with Landmark Pure wall-mounted basin filler by Samuel Heath. Photo: Duravit

Light works

Putting time and thought into the lighting scheme will pay dividends, especially if your small downstairs bathroom doesn’t have a window. Layer different levels of lighting rather than relying solely on ceiling fittings that illuminate the space from above. ‘A great effect can be achieved by adding LED strips below basin counters or within niches,’ says Scott. ‘Back-lit mirrors are also ideal for creating a luxurious feel.’

The materials you choose will play an important role in how the light is reflected. ‘Pale, reflective surfaces will help make a small area feel bigger,’ says Martin Carroll, managing director at Duravit UK. Incorporating gloss or satin finishes will achieve this effect.

Crosswater Infinity round mirror. Photo: Victorian Plumbing

Small bathroom styling tips

Stephanie Matthews, bathroom expert at Kohler on styling a cloakroom

To some extent, spaciousness is perceived by the amount of visible space rather than the size of the room, so you can make a big difference by opening up the floor area.
Choose your basin and loo from a range that offers a mix-and-match approach, so you can keep the design consistent while choosing the perfect size.
The installation of wall-hung WCs may require a false wall for the pipework to be boxed in, which is an opportunity to create alcove shelving for display items. It can create a point of interest in an otherwise plain wall.
Don’t dismiss a vanity or countertop basin because you think you don’t have the room. It can be combined with under-basin storage or shelves to keep clutter at bay.
Look for integrated storage and simple lines that are easy to clean, and design features that will minimise dirt traps and the spread of germs.

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Adding a Downstairs Toilet – Should You Or Shouldn’t You?

This article was written by Checkatrade, the most searched-for website for finding tradespeople in the UK

If you’re thinking of installing a downstairs toilet, you might be wondering if it’s a good idea and whether it’s worth it or not.

An extra toilet can prove to be very useful for you, your family, and guests. It could be the missing link to make a house your dream home. It even helps to add value to your property if you’re looking to move in the future.

You might still be in two minds about installing a downstairs loo, and that’s ok. To help you decide, here are the pros and cons of adding one.

The pros to installing a downstairs toilet

You can keep visitors downstairs

If you entertain guests regularly then you will know all too well the issue when people use the only toilet in your house. They have to wander upstairs, treading mud into your lovely carpet or wandering around your bedroom. It’s understandable that you don’t want them to go up there, especially not into your bedroom. A downstairs toilet means your visitors no longer need to go upstairs, giving you that privacy and peace of mind that you want.

The downstairs loo also means they’re never too far away from the conversation and entertainment either!

You offer easy toilet access for the elderly and disabled

If your guests are elderly or disabled, going up the stairs to use the toilet is neither easy nor comfortable. A downstairs toilet makes life easier for them.

It’s easier for everyone

Fitting a downstairs toilet near the living area means you and your family don’t have to go up and down all day. If you’re potty training your kids, it’s simple to just pop them in your new downstairs loo, instead of going upstairs constantly. It’s more convenient for everybody in the house.

Less chance of queues to the loo

An additional toilet makes it less likely for you or your guests to queue for the toilet. Whether the downstairs or upstairs toilet is occupied, it means there’s another option.

Adds value to the property

Having a downstairs toilet is not only convenient but it also adds value to your property. It can add as much as 5%!

Find out what else you can do to add value to your home.

Find Local Tradespeople

Cons of adding a downstairs toilet

Fitting a downstairs toilet does give you several advantages. However, there are a few disadvantages to consider as well.

You may be limited on space

Fitting a downstairs toilet means considering where it will be installed. Will you be converting a space or creating a new area of your home for the toilet? To convert or extend essentially.

If you’re converting an existing space, then will you be converting a garage into a toilet, or will you be cleverly using the space under the stairs? If you’re converting the space under your stairs, then your new room may be small, limiting the space available to get creative. If that’s the case, definitely check out these smart bathroom storage ideas to free up limited space.

There could be an additional cost for lighting

Unless you have a corner with a window where the toilet can be fitted, it’s going to be dark even during the day.

Wall insulation work may be needed (additional building work)

Is your downstairs toilet fitted in an extension or onto an exterior-facing wall? Then you may need wall insulation, which could be an unexpected cost to you.

Without wall insulation you may face several problems with your toilet; it will get cold in the winter and you may have dampness to deal with inside and out. The correct wall insulation is key in your new downstairs toilet build.

Unfortunately, additional building work can be an unexpected expense with many home renovation projects. Do your best to spot where there could be additional costs in your project, and have a buffer in your budget – then additional work needed won’t be such a hard hit on you.

Drainage could be expensive

If the only space for a downstairs loo is away from the main drainage pipe then you will need to install the connecting pipes. You may even need a macerating or an upflush toilet, like Saniflow.

If you’re active or on a diet – less steps recorded on your exercise app!

Without the need to go upstairs constantly to go to the loo, a downstairs toilet will significantly reduce the steps you make in a day – this is either a pro or con to you!

As you can see, a lot of the cons of installing a downstairs toilet may not even impact your decision.

If you’re still looking to go ahead with your new downstairs toilet installation project, then what else should you be aware of?

What to keep in mind when installing a downstairs toilet

When fitting a downstairs toilet, there are other considerations beyond picking a space and deciding that’s where the toilet will go.

The do’s to installing a toilet downstairs

Invest in good lighting and heating

Plan the drainage and ventilation

Plan a storage space for cleaning products

Check if you need planning permission for it

Make sure you comply with downstairs toilet building regulations

Make it easily accessible (this might be a requirement for downstairs toilets by your council)

The don’ts to fitting a toilet downstairs

Settle for the smallest size – it will be difficult to use

Install it somewhere inaccessible – defeating the purpose of your toilet

Ignore ventilation and lighting

Assume you won’t need planning permission

How much does adding a downstairs toilet cost?

Installing a downstairs toilet can cost, on average, around £650 for the material and another £600 for labour. You may also have to spend around £300 on groundworks and £100 on soil removal.

Installing a downstairs toilet needs a bit of planning, but when done properly, it can add value to your life and your property. That’s why it’s important to find reliable toilet installers, which is something Checkatrade can help with.

FAQs

Is it worth having a downstairs toilet?

Whether a downstairs loo is worth it or not is really down to what you and your family need. Some of the pros to making a downstairs toilet worth it include:

Keeping your privacy from guests – they no longer need to go upstairs to the loo
Reduces chance of mud being stomped through the house
Easy access for elderly or disable guests
Less chance to wait or queue for the loo
Adds value to your property

Find out more about the pros to installing a downstairs toilet above.

How much value does a downstairs toilet add?

It’s expected to add up to 5% onto your property’s value.

Considering the fact that a downstairs toilet can cost around £1,250 (materials and labour) to complete and it can add 5% to your property’s value, it’s a clever investment.

Find out how you can cut costs on your home renovations to get even more value from your downstairs toilet.

What do you put in a downstairs toilet?

At the very least, you would need a toilet and a washbasin, along with a light source and a point of ventilation. If there’s more space to play with, then you may consider turning it into a downstairs washroom or bathroom.

For inspiration, take a look at these small bathroom ideas.

Can you put a downstairs toilet anywhere?

Within reason. Installing a downstairs toilet is a common job for homeowners, so it’s always possible to install it anywhere in the house. There are various options available to make it happen.

This question would be best answered by a professional tradesperson on Checkatrade. Search for recommended professional toilet installers near you, and get a date in the diary for them to visit your home and weigh up your options. Find a tradesperson and get a quote below.

Last Updated: August 16th, 2021

6 traditional downstairs toilet ideas

Inspiration

Posted by Ruth Foster in
Inspiration
| 5 months ago

8 min read

Captivate your house guests and create the warmest of welcomes with these traditional downstairs toilet ideas.

There’s something truly magical about timeless, traditional interiors. Featuring tried and tested designs, patterns and colours, vintage-inspired décor helps to create a genuine sense of homeliness—something reassuringly comfortable and familiar. As property expert and TV presenter Sarah Beeny stated in her recent interview with us, the beauty of traditional décor is that it has longevity. In other words, it never goes out of style.

This sense of elegance lends itself perfectly to those areas of your home in which you’ll entertain house guests. While the first spaces which spring to mind may be your living room, kitchen or even your hallway, the downstairs toilet is a room which will also leave a lasting impression.

If vintage or classic style is your thing, I’ve come up with 6 totally traditional downstairs toilet ideas that’ll certainly wow your house guests.

1. Art Deco opulence

The first of our traditional downstairs toilet ideas draws inspiration from a classic interior design period. The Art Deco movement first came to prominence in the 1920s and 30s, doing away with the conformity and overly fussy designs of the Victorian era and ushering in a new, more modern approach to design.

Based around geometric shapes and bold colours, Art Deco style has remained popular, not least due to lavish period dramas like Poirot and Downton Abbey which add a certain glamour to the look.

So, how do you go about creating a traditional downstairs bathroom in the Art Deco style? Well, the first thing to think about is your walls. Metro tiles were very much in vogue during this period and remain a popular wall covering, especially for bathrooms and cloakrooms. However, instead of choosing a single colour, why not consider adding a row or 2 of different coloured tiles for contrast?

For that classic Art Deco look, keep an eye out for period style accessories, like the Beaumont mirror (pictured above)

Ever considered building out your wall a little? A wooden frame can be used to conceal plumbing, providing you with a handy shelf for those cloakroom essentials and pot plants. And, while you’re at it, why not furnish with a repurposed chair for some authentic Art Deco styling?

If this is a look you love, why not find out more by reading our Art Deco bathroom style guide?

Which products?

Toilet: Orchard Winchester close coupled toilet with painted wood seat black
Basin: Orchard Winchester 2 tap hole full pedestal basin 600mm
Mirror: Accents Beaumont bathroom mirror
Wall lights: Forum Helios bathroom wall light
Wall tiles: Victorian Metro white gloss bevelled ceramic wall tile
Floor tiles: Polar white marble effect matt wall and floor tile

2. Vintage grey

Our first traditional downstairs toilet was relatively large, but what if you only have a tiny space to work with?

Many downstairs toilets or cloakrooms are built into the space beneath the staircase, meaning there’s just enough room for a toilet, basin and not much else.

For a coordinated look, why not continue the colour scheme and theme from your hallway? Grey bathrooms are massively popular and work particularly well in a traditional setting too.

Grey needn’t be dull when it comes to traditional downstairs toilet ideas

To maintain the vintage theme, choose a traditional style close coupled toilet complete with handle flush, decorative flourishes and a grey wooden seat. And, perfect for small bathroom spaces, a compact vanity unit hides plumbing, whilst providing storage space for cleaning materials and toilet roll—so you’re guests needn’t ever be caught out!

If you have the luxury of a window, use a large mirror to reflect natural light.

Which products?

Toilet: Orchard Winchester close coupled toilet with grey soft close seat
Vanity unit: The Bath Co. Camberley satin grey cloakroom floorstanding vanity unit and basin 460mm
Tap: Orchard Dulwich basin mixer tap

3. Floral

Again, making use of just the space beneath your stairs, this traditional downstairs toilet is a little softer in style, based on the French Floral look.

Blush and pastel pinks have been very popular in recent, not least when used in bathroom interiors. With this design, we’ve continued the floral theme, which begins when you step into the hallway, with further flowers and blinds with a floral motif.

Decorative wall boards at half height are another popular way to create a traditional theme in a downstairs toilet.

Vintage and gorgeous, we love the floral touches to this traditional downstairs toilet

If you’re searching for a vintage bathroom suite which brings genuine period charm to your cloakroom, a low level toilet (like the one pictured above) is perfect. With the wall hung cistern connected to the pan with a chrome flush pipe, it is representative of earlier toilet designs. It’s a great alternative to the much sought-after high level toilet, which can often be too tall for traditional downstairs toilets.

With a compact cloakroom basin, you can go smaller without compromising on style. Separate pillar taps are a very traditional look, and with this pedestal basin they’ve been placed on the outside to make space.

Which products?

Toilet: The Bath Co. Camberley low level toilet with wooden soft close seat white
Basin: The Bath Co. Camberley 2 tap hole full pedestal basin 500mm
Taps: Orchard Dulwich basin pillar taps
Mirror: Accents Traditional round pivot bathroom mirror 500 x 500mm

4. Victorian charm

If you live in a Victorian home or simply adore the more ornate, vintage look, there are quick and easy ways to create a Victorian style downstairs toilet.

One of the first things to consider is your colour scheme. Green, in all its different shades, is a very popular choice for period style bathrooms, and painted decorative boarding can make an instant impact. Why not check out all our great green bathroom ideas?

Next, why not consider Victorian style patterned tiles for your floor? If you also wish to use around your walls, limit it to a single feature wall, or else it’ll dominate what is a small space.

With patterned tiles and classic ceramics, this Victorian style cloakroom looks truly regal

Your choice of heating is also key to creating an authentic traditional downstairs toilet. Victorian radiators add a decorative element to your interiors, whilst performing a vital function. Now, how’s that for a warm welcome?

Which products?

Toilet: Orchard Dulwich close coupled toilet with black wooden toilet seat
Basin: Orchard Dulwich 1 tap hole full pedestal basin 500mm
Radiator: The Heating Co. Santa Fe black traditional radiator 952 x 659
Mirror: Accents Traditional round pivot bathroom mirror 500 x 500mm

5. Warming wood & majestic marble

If you’re looking to achieve a luxurious yet welcoming cloakroom, organic materials like wood and stone hold enduring appeal. However, genuine hardwood or marble do come with a hefty price tag and aren’t always particularly suited to areas of high footfall, like a downstairs toilet. So, to make the look, why not “fake” the look?

Marble effect wall panels are incredibly cost-effective and easy to install, when compared to tiles. Plus, with no grout, there’s nowhere for mould to develop. Don’t believe me? See how quick and easy they are to fit.

Why not be inspired by our marble bathroom ideas?

Create that real sense of opulence with marble effect wall panels

Wood adds a warming, welcoming element to any traditional downstairs toilet, and, with this cloakroom, we’ve opted for a low level toilet complete with oak effect seat, plus wood effect flooring. Again, much like the wall panels, this type of flooring is quick and easy to install, providing a hygienic, easy-clean surface that looks just like the real thing.

Add a charming traditional mirror cabinet to store things like soap or even spare toothbrushes, for those times when the main bathroom is occupied.

Which products?

Basin: Orchard Winchester 2 tap hole full pedestal basin 600mm
Toilet: The Bath Co. Camberley low level toilet with oak effect soft close seat
Mirror cabinet: The Bath Co. Camberley white mirror cabinet 598 x 620mm
Wall panel: Multipanel Linda Barker Calacatta Marble Hydrolock shower wall panel

6.

Colour combinations

We’ve looked at grey colour schemes and also pink colour schemes, but what about combining the two?

There are plenty of harmonious bathroom colour combinations, with pink and grey proving popular in recent times, especially in traditional settings.

By arranging metro tiles in unusual patterns (in this instance, vertically), you can easily personalise your space, without having to go to too much extra expense. In this case, we’ve used maxi metro tiles to quickly cover more wall space, cutting down on tiling time.

When searching for traditional downstairs toilet ideas, I bet you never thought you’d consider combining pink and grey?

As well as colours, this cloakroom combines many of the traditional downstairs toilet ideas we’ve utilised throughout this blog post. Victorian style patterned floor tiles create real visual interest, while the grey furniture theme is continued through our choice of toilet seat and wall panels.

Which products?

Toilet: Orchard Dulwich close coupled toilet inc stone grey soft close seat
Vanity unit: Orchard Dulwich stone grey floorstanding vanity unit with semi recessed basin 600mm
Mirror cabinet: The Bath Co. Camberley satin grey mirror cabinet 598 x 620mm
Wall tiles: Victorian Maxi Metro blush pink bevelled gloss wall tile 100mm x 300mm

Small bathroom ideas

I hope this article has provided you with all the traditional downstairs toilet ideas you’ll ever need. If not, you’ll be pleased to know there’s plenty of small bathroom inspiration right here at Victoria Plum.

Discover all our latest small cloakroom ideas and find out more about clever small toilet solutions.

Need help and advice? Find out how much it costs to fit a cloakroom and read our cloakroom planning guide.

Shop for downstairs toilets

Whatever style you’re looking to achieve, whatever budget you’re working to, at Victoria Plum you’ll find the perfect solutions for small bathroom spaces. From downstairs toilets to compact ensuites, we’ve come up with a comprehensive range of cleverly designed products to fit even the tiniest of rooms. Click on the image below to begin browsing.

Posted by Ruth Foster in
Inspiration
| 5 months ago

As our resident Interior Designer, Ruth is passionate about home-related trends and loves light, airy interiors shaped by organic forms and colours. With a background in textiles for interiors, she is studying for a masters in interior design.

“My Basement Toilet Is Backing Up!” Steve In Sacramento Has A Clogged Downstairs Bathroom

Posted by bellbros

blog Plumbing

Steve has a guest bedroom and bathroom in his basement. A friend recently stayed down there but, unfortunately, that friend left behind some serious damage after a clogged toilet started to flood. He says:

“I have a sink, a washer/dryer, and a toilet in my basement that my family and I don’t use all that much. Recently, we had a friend of the family stay overnight. Well, in the morning he came up to breakfast with this embarrassed look on his face. The toilet was clogged—and our basement was flooding. I dried everything up down there, but every time we try to flush the toilet it floods again. Also, I noticed a while back that whenever the washer is going, the toilet starts to gurgle. I’ve snaked the toilet a bunch of times, but I haven’t come across any major blockage and there’s been no improvement. Help! What’s wrong and how can I get it fixed?”

Man, Steve, a basement full of water from the toilet isn’t a very nice thank you for your hospitality, at least not where I come from. It does happen, though, and the truth is that it’s not your friend’s fault. Combined with your washer gurgling noise issue, I think we can start to piece together a few scenarios why your basement toilet is backing up, clogging your downstairs bathroom.

Sewer Line Clogs: The Culprit Behind Your Basement Toilet Back Up

The main sewer line in your house affects all of your plumbing. A clogged toilet in your basement can often be a clue that there’s a major issue developing. I say major because when it comes to the main Sacramento city sewer line of your home, there really are no minor problems. If your basement toilet is backing up, it’s serving as a warning of sorts that the main sewer line is struggling. Since main sewer lines are buried under the ground, a basement toilet is almost always nearest to it—and the plumbing fixture closest to the pipe problems will be the first to show signs of trouble.

A clogged toilet in your basement can often be a clue that there’s a major issue developing.

The type of problem Steve described (the flooding toilet, the lack of obstruction in it, and the gurgling while he uses the washing machine) is nine times out of ten indicative of a clog. In Steve’s case, my guess is that the clog hasn’t gotten all that severe yet because, when it does, flushing the upstairs toilets or putting water down upstairs drains will also force the downstairs toilet to back up and overflow with waste water. The reason for this is that a full clog means there’s no way at all for water to get out of the house and, again, the basement toilet will be nearest to the sewer line—and the clog. The water from upstairs still has to go somewhere, though, and your basement will be ground zero, thanks to a little thing called gravity.

Unclogging Your Main Sewer Line

Now that we’ve solved the mystery of the basement bathroom back up, it’s time to give poor soggy Steve some solutions. As I detailed above, Steve’s clog is not yet at a worst case scenario sort of level. If it was, whenever he flushed his upstairs toilets, water would back up in his downstairs toilet. Since that’s not yet happening, my guess is that Steve currently only has a partial clog—although if he doesn’t address it, it’s bound to get worse.

It’s only a matter of time until a total clog takes place under Steve’s house. Every time his family flushes a toilet, takes a shower, or uses his washing machine, water tries to flow through his main sewer line and out of his house. The clear hole from which the water is escaping will get smaller and smaller because increasingly diminutive debris will join the existing obstruction. This will happen until the obstruction is complete, and no water can pass through.

Unfortunately for Steve, this is not the sort of job that he can take on himself. It involves underwater pipes, for one. Secondly, it’s pretty labor intensive because it means tinkering with a line that affects every last plumbing fixture in his house. The capacity for error here is high. The potential severity of the negative ramifications is even higher. What’s really called for in this situation is a video confirmation to make sure that the main sewer line is, in fact, obscured—and then a heavy duty sewer line repair or replace job by a professional plumber.

How to Prevent a Toilet, or Sewer Line, from Clogging

Steve didn’t do anything to cause this. It’s a serious problem, to be sure, but it’s one that can happen to anyone, especially in older houses. And since Steve lives in Sacramento, his odds of suffering this sort of sewer set back are pretty high right now because, as I’ve talked about a whole lot as of late, Northern California was absolutely pounded by storms that caused plumbing damage this winter. Steve, like most residents of the Sac Valley, was probably caught off guard by the sudden deluge because it’s been a year, or five, since we last got major rains.

My sense is that a lot of folks were caught off guard, and could have used some plumbing storm preparedness tips. These rains were responsible for washing debris into public and private drainage that doesn’t usually belong there. Another thing the rains did to many homes this season was to make the grounds in their backyards soft and soggy so that tree roots and large rocks may have shifted around and slammed into pipes, possibly even the main sewer line. However, if this was the case with our friend Steve, he’d likely be experiencing flooding in his backyard as well. This seems like the sort of thing a homeowner would mention but, then again, Steve had sewage backing up into his basement, which may have grabbed his full attention.

My impression of Steve is that he’s a good host and doesn’t want his favorite guests coming upstairs thinking it’s their fault the toilet is flooding—and I’m sure his guests don’t want to suffer that indignity either. With the proper equipment, a professional plumber can solve Steve’s main sewer line issue right away, saving both the host and his buddy embarrassment.

Stop wondering if your basement plumbing is out of whack because of your main sewer line. The trained professionals at Bell Brothers can help you clear it out today.

Image courtesy Unsplash user Inge Maria

Pain in the lower abdomen – causes, symptoms and diagnosis, indications for visiting a doctor

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Stomach ache is a fairly common complaint in people of all ages. They come to therapists and gynecologists, urologists and gastroenterologists with it, and more often they treat it on their own and try to justify its appearance with normal physiological processes.

With the participation of doctors from different specialties, we have compiled a detailed list of possible causes of pain in the lower abdomen. Where exactly, how, after which it hurts, what additional symptoms are there – after analyzing all this, you can guess why the stomach is bothering you and how dangerous it is. Such information will not be superfluous in order to understand when you can get by with just a pill, and when you need to call emergency help. But we remind you that making an accurate diagnosis and prescribing treatment is a task for the doctor. And this is done not only on the basis of complaints and feelings of the patient, but with the help of informative diagnostic methods. However, first things first.

What can hurt in the lower abdomen

There are quite a lot of organs in the lower part of the abdomen:

Urinary system.
Reproductive system.
Gastrointestinal tract.

There are also a large number of nerve plexuses, the lumbosacral spine. All this can cause pain and discomfort.

There may be various pains in the lower abdomen:

Drawing, dull, aching, reminiscent of a feeling of heaviness.
Acute, colic, cramping.
Recurring after a certain period of time or constant.
Light or intense.
Short-term (for an hour or two) or long-term (which do not pass for several days or even more).

But even mild and chronic pain is not worth getting used to and believing that it should be so. Each pain is caused by a malfunction in some of the organs, and this is a sign of the disease. Normally, this should not be the case.

Causes of pain in the lower abdomen

Major causes of pain in the lower abdomen:

Intestinal cramps, excessive flatulence due to malnutrition, when the large intestine is full.
Hemorrhoids – varicose veins of the rectum. In most cases, it is clearly visible externally, and the varicose vein causes pain during defecation, walking. Other symptoms include itching around the anus and blood during bowel movements.
Appendicitis – inflammation of the process of the caecum. At the same time, it hurts in the lower right abdomen (although the pain can be phantom pain in the left side), inguinal region, muscle tension, fever, constipation or diarrhea. The condition is dangerous with peritonitis – inflammation of the membrane of the abdominal cavity and general intoxication of the body.
Cystitis is an infectious inflammation of the bladder mucosa. It is more common in women due to anatomical features. Causes a sharp pain that radiates to the lower back, aggravated by urination. I constantly want to go to the toilet, there may be pus, blood in the urine, and the smell may change. The nature of pain in cystitis is different from pulling to sharp and burning. Male cystitis is more complicated, and one of its symptoms is a violation of normal urination.
Cancer of the rectum and other organs often appear in the later stages, when the functionality of the organ is impaired.
Intestinal diseases – dysbacteriosis, SIBO, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other pathologies. Usually they are accompanied by symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea, flatulence.
Inguinal or umbilical hernia – protrusion of internal organs through anatomical holes in the peritoneum. Often accompanied by dull pain, which increases with movement. They may be noticeable by an external protrusion on the abdominal wall or in the groin area.
Intervertebral hernia, protrusion – protrusion or rupture of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc. With them, irritation of the nerves occurs, pain appears, which can radiate to the leg, groin, buttocks. Not uncommon – a feeling of numbness in the limbs, muscle weakness.
Urolithiasis – the formation of solid deposits in the organs of the urinary system. Severe pain in the lower abdomen – colic occurs at the time of the movement of stones of different sizes along the urinary tract. Blood may appear in the urine, and in some cases emergency care and even surgery will be required to remove the stones.

These causes can cause pain in people of any sex and age, but there are others that can be in women and men.

Causes of pain in the lower abdomen in women

A significant place in the pelvis is occupied by the organs of the reproductive system. Therefore, the possible causes of pain in women are gynecological pathologies. In addition, in women, pain in the lower abdomen, when it pulls down, gives to the lower back, can be physiological manifestations of the norm:

At the beginning of menstruation. Most women experience these days pulling pains in the lower abdomen. There is no cause for concern if the pain is moderate, and it is repeated during each menstruation. But if the spasms are too strong, have appeared recently, it is necessary to be examined.
Ovulatory syndrome – pain that occurs during ovulation (average 14 days before the onset of menstruation). It can occur from different sides (where ovulation occurred), be accompanied by cramps, abdominal discomfort, increased gas formation in the intestines, and increased secretions. Everything passes by itself in a day and repeats regularly.
During pregnancy, when the growing uterus becomes a cause of discomfort, or the pressure that it exerts on neighboring organs.

Possible causes of pain in the lower abdomen in women:

Acute or chronic inflammation of the uterus (cervix, inner layer), and its appendages (fallopian tubes and ovaries). Additional symptoms may include fever, pain during intercourse, heavy (or unusual) vaginal discharge, and lower back pain.
Ovarian cyst – benign single or multiple neoplasms in the ovaries. They make themselves felt with pain in the lower abdomen on the left, on the right or on both sides, depending on the place of formation. A cyst can also cause acute pain when its pedicle is twisted (the process on which the formation is attached) or when it ruptures. In the latter case, internal bleeding occurs, and in addition to pain, nausea and increasing weakness appear.
Endometriosis is a common pathology in women of childbearing age, when epithelial cells grow from the uterine cavity to other organs.
Uterine fibroids (fibroma) – a benign tumor that has formed and grows in the uterine cavity and can reach a significant size. The pain in this case increases gradually as the tumor grows and compresses adjacent organs.
An ectopic pregnancy when the embryo is implanted and grows in the fallopian tube and not in the uterine cavity. The pain gradually increases, and when the pipe breaks, it becomes acute. In this case, emergency assistance is needed to stop internal bleeding.

Causes of pain in the lower abdomen in men

Men also have reasons to consult a urologist (andrologist), a specialist who deals with the health of the genitourinary system. Pain in the lower abdomen in men, in addition to the general causes listed above, may appear on the background of:

Inflammatory processes in the testicles, orchitis, vesiculitis.
Testicular torsion. In this case, the pain is quite severe, and emergency assistance is needed to save the testicle.
Diseases of the prostate – prostatitis or adenoma.

Men can also complain about unpleasant pulling sensations in the absence of sexual activity for a long time.

Diagnosis

Do not self-medicate, this may worsen your condition. Only a qualified specialist is able to determine the real causes of abdominal pain.

Patients often mistake the symptoms of one disease for another. Even a doctor can find it difficult to recognize the true cause of pain only by complaints. To select the most appropriate therapy, an experienced specialist refers the patient for examination. Depending on the symptoms, the following methods are used:

Blood tests – they can assess the level of leukocytes and the presence of inflammation in the body.
Urinalysis.
Analysis of urinary tract discharge.
Ultrasound to visualize the internal organs and assess their condition.
MRI is the most accurate and highly informative examination technique.
Radiography.
Hysterosalpingography, colposcopy – advanced gynecological examinations for women.

This is the only way to identify the disease and start treating it.

The best thing you can do for your body is to contact the doctors of our clinic at the first manifestations of pain. Remember that self-medication is unacceptable.

When to see a doctor

Emergency care is needed for:

The pain is sharp, worsening and does not go away after taking pain medication.
There is a high temperature – 39°C or more.
There is severe vomiting or traces of blood in the vomit.
The stool is black or streaked with blood.
Very difficult urination.
The abdomen is hard, tense, enlarged.
Pain appeared after a blow, abdominal trauma.

Scheduled consultation with a general practitioner or specialized doctor is necessary if:

There is discomfort, slight persistent or intermittent pain that lasts 3-4 days or more.
Urination became more frequent and painful.
Nausea or diarrhea for more than two days.
The nature of the vaginal discharge has changed.

Modern research methods allow the doctors of the Kutuzovsky Medical and Diagnostic Center to most effectively find the causes of pain in the lower abdomen. Diagnostics with the help of ultrasound, MRI, X-ray devices allow you to determine the diagnosis.

It is extremely rare that a disease can be correctly recognized only by the symptoms, and our experienced doctors know this.

Therefore, the first thing the patient does is go for an examination. All types of prescribed diagnostics are available with us, so you do not have to look for other clinics. Attractive prices, no queues, fast and accurate results – all this is available in our center. And the professionalism of our doctors is a guarantee that your treatment will be effective and comfortable.

Medical center “Kutuzovsky” is a medical center where doctors of many specialties see every day. We have everything you need – from high-precision equipment to experienced doctors to understand the causes of pain. Quickly, professionally, without queues and on any convenient day. Sign up for a consultation so as not to risk your health!

The content of this article was checked and confirmed for compliance with medical standards by a general practitioner of the highest qualification category, an allergist-immunologist Butskikh Yulia Vladimirovna.

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Why does the lower abdomen hurt? Causes of pain in the lower abdomen in women

The lower abdomen hurts, cutting, dull, pulling, aching pains are disturbing – such complaints are often heard by our doctors. The causes of such an ailment can be very different in the lower abdomen, the organs of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), urinary and reproductive systems are located.

First of all, we want to remind you: if you experience pain, do not self-diagnose and self-medicate. Abdominal pain can be a signal from the body about serious “malfunctions”. Timely access to a doctor can significantly facilitate treatment and prevent dangerous diseases in time.

What could be the causes of pain in the lower abdomen

Cystitis. Inflammatory disease of the bladder mucosa, which, due to some anatomical features, is often found in women. For cystitis is characterized by cutting pains in the lower abdomen, frequent urge to go to the toilet. The lower back can also hurt – when the infection enters the kidneys.
Urolithiasis. Periodic severe stabbing pains in the lower abdomen may indicate stones (crystallized salts and esters of various acids) in the organs of the urinary system, the movement of which causes pain. Symptoms of this disease may include blood in the urine, back pain, and difficulty urinating.

In both cases, you should immediately consult a urologist.

Intestinal diseases : dysbacteriosis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and others. In this case, you may be worried about constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, or loss of appetite.
Intestinal spasms. Pain in the intestines can cause overeating, improper diet, the use of gas-producing foods.
Appendicitis. Acute pain in the right lower abdomen in the navel area may indicate appendicitis. Painful sensations will intensify with movement, breathing, coughing. Additional symptoms may include fever, nausea, bloating, constipation/diarrhea, decreased appetite. If appendicitis is suspected, you should not hesitate – you may need urgent surgical intervention.

Gynecological causes of lower abdominal pain

During or before menses. If the lower abdomen hurts during menstruation, this is normal. But only if the sensations do not cause severe discomfort. Pain may appear a few days before the start and in the first days of menstruation. The cause is spasms of the uterus, which seeks to get rid of the old endometrium.

It is worth worrying if the pain has become too strong, and menstruation is more abundant than before.
Ovulation. During ovulation, women may experience pain on the right or left side of the abdomen, depending on which ovary the follicle has matured. Ovulation occurs in the middle of the cycle (about day 14).
During pregnancy. In anticipation of a baby, women experience periodic pains in the lower abdomen, which is a natural side effect: the uterus increases in size, and its ligaments are stretched, there is pressure on the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, kidneys. If the pain is too strong or frequent, accompanied by spotting, headache – this is an urgent reason to go to the doctor.

Possible causes abnormal:

Inflammation of the uterus and appendages. Inflammatory gynecological diseases can be accompanied not only by regular aching pains in the lower abdomen, but also by fever, abundant atypical discharge, itching, and irritation. Inflammation can be caused by hypothermia, sexual infections, excessive reproduction of opportunistic flora.
Neoplasms. Various tumors, both benign and malignant, may not make themselves felt, but sometimes cause spasms, pains of a different nature, bleeding.
Cyst torsion/rupture. Cyst – a benign formation filled with fluid inside. Under supervision, it poses no particular danger until a rupture occurs. Rupture of the cyst or torsion of its legs causes acute pain in the lower abdomen.
Endometriosis. Overgrowth of uterine tissue beyond its limits. With such a pathology, pain during urination, after intercourse, with sudden movements may disturb. Usually the pain intensifies in the days before menstruation, and immediately after.
Ectopic pregnancy. Sometimes it happens that the embryo is attached not to the walls of the uterus, but to the fallopian tube. This is a life-threatening situation, if such a pathology is suspected, an urgent need to contact a specialist. With an ectopic pregnancy, the pain gradually increases over time, then becomes sharply sharp when the tube has already ruptured from the growing embryo.
Spikes. In the presence of a persistent focus of infection, the body tries to protect it, resulting in adhesions. The connective tissue creates a “partition”, splicing the organs or their parts together, which disrupts their proper functioning. Adhesive processes are accompanied by frequent pain in the lower abdomen, which increases with physical exertion, before menstruation.
Other gynecological diseases.

Diagnostics

The causes of pain in the lower abdomen, even within the same disease, can be different in type and intensity, you should not guess and wait until the pathological condition progresses. If the localization of pain is not clear to you, make an appointment with a therapist, he will advise you and advise a narrow specialist (gynecologist, urologist, gastroenterologist), prescribe the necessary studies and tests. It can be:

Urine and blood tests;
Abdominal ultrasound,
Ultrasound of the small pelvis;
Tests for genital infections;
Microflora smear;
Oncocytology.

Return to list

Usability of the toilet cubicle / Habr

Oddly enough it sounds, but we will really talk about the usability of the toilet cubicle.

The purpose of the article is to stretch our brains a little.

Now many people are talking about usability. But not many people take it seriously.

– I’ll make a pop-out panel on my site. After all, this is … how it is … usable!

But now I want to talk not about web interfaces and not about interfaces at all, but about the design of a toilet cubicle.

Preamble

Imagine:

Vanya (programmer) went to the toilet. The doors to all cabins are closed. And he really, really needs it!
There must be a free booth, he thinks.

Petr Petrovich (director) just from the airport, sitting nonchalantly in the booth, not bothering anyone. Reads the quarterly report. He doesn’t even realize that he forgot to close the door.

Vanya jerks open the door, and then…

— Um… Hello, Petr Petrovich! How did they fly?
– Yes, everything is fine, Vanya! Let’s talk in 15 minutes, in my office.

Awkward? It’s embarrassing. But Vanya is still very “needed”!
Or it was not Vanya at all, but a cleaning lady who has a schedule that needs to clean up here right now.
I agree, almost everyone, almost always consciously locks the door. But what if not?

Another case:

Petr Petrovich just from the airport, sitting nonchalantly in the booth, not touching anyone. Reads the quarterly report. The door seems (this time) closed.

And then the handle starts to slowly drop down… (“Did you close it?!” Peter Petrovich thinks in a cold sweat).

The handle goes all the way to the bottom… Then someone starts pulling on the door (“Fuuh, closed it after all”), and finally making sure of the “occupied” status, the stranger on the other side leaves the door alone.

Maybe this stranger didn’t want to disturb the busy Petr Petrovich at all. Just outside go and figure out – free or busy!

That is the premise. Let’s find a way out, save the honor / nerves of Pyotr Petrovich and Vanya’s work!

Problem statement

Before a problem can be solved, it must be formulated. So, the tasks are “human”:

Preserve the honor and nerves of Petr Petrovich
Save Vanya’s job

Let’s translate these goals into more generalized ones:

The person outside should easily understand whether the booth is free or not
The person inside must be safe . ..
… and he should know about it

Competitor analysis

As in any other business, you should start by researching existing solutions (or competitors).

No. 1: Let’s forget about troubles

Cheapest and Angriest Solution:

The door is ajar and there is no one inside, which means free.
The door is closed – probably busy.

Cheap, no extra hassles at all. It is only necessary to teach all users of the toilet :

to close the door when they enter the toilet
and open them when they go out.

And it’s not as easy as it seems. Let’s look through the prism of our goals:

It should be easy for a person outside to understand if the booth is free or not

This is True only when the door is ajar. What if someone came out and slammed the door?

“So is there anyone here or not?” Vanya is confused.

The person inside must be safe …

Again, the user could enter, close the door, but not lock it.

… and he should know about it

How do you know now? Is that to double-check the “lock” of the door. What if you don’t think about it?

As you can see, there is something here, in this decision, but so far damp, damp.

#2: Let there be light!

I don’t know who this seems like a good idea, but there is such an option – the light switch in the booth is located next to the door handle, outside. Which should, as it were, hint to Vanya: “The light is on – don’t go, it’s busy! Off – go, free.”

But suddenly someone came out, closed the door and did not turn off the light? (intentionally or accidentally). Or maybe someone likes to do their thing in the dark? In general, this solution is practically of no use, so I will not dwell on it.

#3: Slight hint

Now a fairly common case: at the bottom under the door handle there is a small hole in which if ("red") {"occupied"} else {"free"}

It’s already warmer.

It should be easy for a person outside to understand if the booth is free or not	If the door is ajar and there is no one inside, it means that it is definitely free! If the door is closed and the “red light” is on, it is definitely occupied. And if it is closed and “non-red”, then Vanya will most likely pull the handle and (possibly) meet the eyes of Pyotr Petrovich again.
The person inside must be safe …	The same problem. The visitor could close the door, but not lock it.
… and he should know about it	It’s not so easy to understand (although you can remember in what position of the lock the door is locked).

And in many castles outside there is only such a tiny little hole, in which not the first time you notice the red color.

#4: Heavy hint

Things are a little better in airplanes:

We see a wonderful overseas “OCCUPIED” / “VACANT”, on a red / green background, respectively. And inside – a duplicated inscription and a wonderful bolt let you see whether you are locked or not.

It should be easy for a person outside to understand if the booth is free or not	Everything is exactly the same as in the previous version. Only now there is a large clear inscription OCCUPIED on a red background. Vanya knows English, so he patiently waits near the door.
The person inside must be safe …	The visitor could close the door, but not lock it.
… and he should know about it	. .. however, now he does not have to rack his brains and decide whether it is locked. Everything is clear (how useful knowledge of English is nowadays!).

This option is pretty good. However, fits perfectly into the infrastructure of the aircraft, because. everyone in the cabin can see if someone has entered / exited the booth, if there is a queue for it. Well, in extreme cases, there are always stewardesses nearby who will kindly say “Do not try to enter, sir! The gentleman has just taken this place.”

In other conditions (for example, we put such toilets in the office), the same rake is possible (“Pyotr Petrovich did not lock himself up”). Although the “aircraft” version is thought out more than others, it seems to me (aircraft designers are generally great!).

And in some ~~secret military developments~~ new trains you can see something like this:

It does not solve the main problem (“Peter Petrovich didn’t lock himself up”), but it pleasantly saves effort on “walking to the end of the car and checking”.

Let’s see what’s left.

#5: Our response to Chamberlain

Public toilets usually look like:

And it’s not just the doorknobs. At the bottom of the door there is a gap in which you can clearly see whether it is occupied or free.

For some reason it seems to me that this was necessarily a secret Soviet invention against foreign spies, so that they would not do their dirty espionage deeds in Our Soviet toilets.

And, of course, it’s convenient for cleaners – you can immediately see whether it’s free, or if there is a belated guest who interferes with cleaning at lunchtime.

Lyrics are lyrics, and this option is well suited only for public toilets , where there is a large flow of people who do not know each other, who most likely will never meet again. Therefore, everyone feels great, no constraint and complexes. Even the fact that a woman with a mop and a bucket is wandering in the middle of the men’s toilet is not very embarrassing.

It should be easy for a person outside to understand if the booth is free or not	Who is not too lazy – easily recognizes the “occupation” of the booth. To whom laziness – see above.
The person inside must be safe …	On the one hand, Pyotr Petrovich felt great in the airport toilet. But on the other hand, now he is in his office, where everyone knows and respects him, so he can be a little ashamed of someone else’s presence outside.
… and he should know about it	And again, you can’t guarantee that the door is locked.

Solutions

Walked through the competitors. Now let’s unleash our thoughts.
Initially in American . What does it mean? I’ll explain later.

Pyotr Petrovich did not lock himself

This is perhaps the main problem that none of the above methods could overcome.

To solve it, you can try to convey to the visitor that he forgot to lock himself.
Therefore, we embed a system in the door that determines the “locking” of the door. And if not locked, then (for example):

a large red panel on the inside of the door starts flashing right in front of Petr Petrovich’s face, with the text: “Lock the door immediately!”
and/or a (un)pleasant female/male voice begins to repeat: “Achtung! The door is not locked!”

Smells like a nervous breakdown, doesn’t it? There is nothing worse than harsh, annoying warnings.

Let’s discard importunity, soften colors, remove voices… and understand the attractiveness of the “airplane” option. We see that it is not at all necessary to integrate an electronic lock recognition system into the door. A mechanical shutter is enough to change the inscription “Occupied” / “Free” at the level of the visitor’s eyes.

Pyotr Petrovich didn’t lock himself II

Now let’s think – what can be improved here?

Here’s what: we make Petr Petrovich notice the inscription and lock the door himself. First, there is a risk that he simply does not heed our warnings. And secondly, there is an opinion that if the system can do something without the help of the user, then it should do it without the help of the user .

So why not make lock self-locking when closing the door?
Such castles have long been a dime a dozen, in many hotels.

Well, “screw” to the lock mechanism the change of the inscription (on both sides of the door) – “Busy” / “Free”

Problem

However, a problem arises in this variant – it is necessary to distinguish between a door closed from the inside and a door closed from the outside . Those. when closing the door, you need to determine whether there is a person inside the booth or not?

For example, a passive infrared motion detector can cope with this task. You just need to link this system together – a sensor, auto-closing the door and setting an alert.

It should be easy for a person outside to understand if the booth is free or not	You can’t go wrong here. The inscription on the outside will clearly state the truth.
The person inside must be safe …	And this will also be executed. The door will automatically lock when closed…
… and he should know about it	… and the visitor will see an alert inside the booth.

It should also provide for the case when a person went inside and closed the door somehow badly. There must be some non-irritating message.

What happened? The optimal system for protecting the visitor of the cabin is as follows:

The door lock automatically closes, if the person slammed the door from the inside (due to the IR sensor inside the booth)
Both those inside and those outside can clearly see the inscription on the door: “Busy” / “Free”

Confidential, convenient, understandable.

But why did I call this decision “American”?
Because we seemed to reason logically and the goals seemed to be achieved … but that’s just at a high price!
Expensive equipment – for each toilet cubicle; complex system of interconnection between electronics. What if she “fails”? Sit Pyotr Petrovich locked up until the end of time.

Although with due attention and investment, everything should turn out perfectly!

Our solution!

And now in our opinion ! We will try to reduce the cost of the solution without losing quality.

I didn’t just mention our public toilets above. Is it true that the solution with a gap at the door is different from the others? Let’s try to move it forward!

What was the problem? The fact that Pyotr Petrovich was embarrassed that much more was visible in the gap under the door than he would like. How to avoid it? Let’s make the gap smaller!

But then how can I look there, in such a crack? — thinks Lidia Vasilievna, the cleaning lady, briefly mentioned above

It’s simple — don’t look there! We put the lamp at the base of the toilet, something like this:

So we solved the problem of indication outside (now Vanya knows exactly which booth is occupied and which is not).

How now to solve the problem of “protection” and indication inside (without resorting to complex electronics)?

We fasten the door in a tricky way : so that in a free state it always opens by itself (but not for plowing, so as not to impede passing by it). I think it’s real to do:

Then we:

[or] hang lamps outside so that the guest who comes inside sees his shadow on the wall and understands that it is necessary to close the door
[or] we hang a mirror(s) inside so that the doorway can be seen behind the back.

It should be easy for a person outside to understand if the booth is free or not	By the light and shadow coming from under the door, as well as by the openness and closeness of the door, Vanya clearly understands where it is occupied and where it is not.
The person inside must be safe …	We can say that we are forcing Petr Petrovich to lock the door 100% – otherwise it will simply open!
… and he should know about it	Pyotr Petrovich realizes.

Here is a solution, cheap, cheerful and effective! In my opinion it is quite “in our opinion”.

Afterword

In my opinion, both options deserve life, have their “+” and “-“. But the main thing that I wanted to bring with this article is usability, it is around us, everywhere, in the world of our things and our lives. And if we want to live in our world “conveniently and comfortably” – we should think about its structure.

P.S.: a request to the administrators – I would like a separate blog for such topics, something like “Abnormal usability”.

Why is it dangerous to endure | Domestos

It is recommended to empty the bladder regularly, approximately every three hours. But there are times when this is simply not possible. Find out why it’s dangerous to put off going to the bathroom and what the consequences can be.

Author: Gorbunova Anna – pediatrician, infectious disease specialist

Delayed urination for an hour or two does not pose any threat to health. But still, it can harm the body if it happens regularly.

The bladder is an expandable organ. The process of emptying the bladder is not much different from the contraction of other muscles in our body. The urine filtered by the kidneys is collected in the bladder by two tubes called ureters. The volume of fluid in the bladder of an adult can be about 400-600 ml. The child is 0-12 months old. – 30-60 ml, in children 1-3 years old – 90-150, in children 4-12 years old – 200-400 ml. It takes time to fill it, which depends on age.

For children under one year old, this time is approximately one hour, for children under 3 years old – 2 hours, for 6 years old – 3 hours, for 12 years old – up to 4 hours, for an adult – 6-8 hours.

Research shows that the bladder is directly connected to your brain; it is full of receptors that tell the brain how full it is. Essentially, there is an invisible “fill line” in the bladder. When urine reaches this point, the brain receives a signal that indicates the need to urinate. This usually happens when the bladder is only a quarter full. Therefore, when we feel the urge to urinate, we still have time before the bladder is completely full. When it fills up, its muscles work to keep urine from “leaking” until the moment is right.

Holding urine once for several hours is rarely harmful in the long run. The danger of urinary retention has a cumulative effect. That is, if this happens constantly, if a habit is formed to ignore the desire to urinate, then complications may develop.

This complication may be a urinary tract infection. Urine is usually sterile, and normal urine flow usually does not cause bacteria to become infected in the urinary tract. But with urinary retention, the urethra may open slightly and there is the possibility of bacteria penetrating upward into the bladder, causing cystitis, and even into the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis.

Plus, in some people, high intravesical urine pressure causes the vesicoureteral segment to fail and cause urine to flow back into the kidneys.

This backflow, called reflux, can damage the kidneys.

Likewise, the habit of “tolerating” can damage the bladder itself.

If the bladder is stretched too hard, for a long time and regularly, the bladder muscles can become damaged (atrophy) and lose their ability to contract. Subsequently, urinary incontinence may occur.

With prolonged “patience”, for 10 hours or more, on the contrary, urinary retention may develop, due to the fact that the muscles of the bladder cannot relax, even when we want to. In very rare cases, prolonged retention of urine can lead to bladder rupture. The habit of “tolerating”, especially if it is formed from early childhood, can extremely adversely affect the development of the urinary organs.

Therefore, it is necessary to empty the bladder whenever this desire arises. In this case, it is necessary to empty it completely and not rush this process.

An interesting fact here is that in a study among Russians, Domestos found that 45% of parents say that their children try not to go to school toilets. Therefore, it is very important for yourself and your children to form the habit of going to the toilet on time so that undesirable consequences do not occur.

Timely going to the potty in kindergarten usually takes enough time, but with schoolchildren it is more difficult. It is necessary to start training in the use of public toilets and conduct explanatory conversations from early childhood. Public toilets may seem noisy and uncomfortable to small children, but one should try to explain that it is dangerous to “tolerate” in this situation and gradually accustom the child to visiting public toilets, for example, when you go to cafes, children’s clubs. Then already at an older age, in school years, a skill will be developed – to control yourself at a break and go to the toilet before the lesson, so as not to endure during the lesson.

Yes, our public toilets are often unattractive. They are often not cleaned, have worn-out plumbing, cubicle doors often do not close or are completely absent, as in the bathrooms of many schools, they also often lack hygiene products and dryers are broken. Therefore, the feeling of awkwardness and disgust often overpowers the natural need of our children. And this can be understood. After all, it is ideal when you can choose a clean toilet, which, of course, will have a cleaning schedule on the door, soap and toilet paper, towels or a working hand dryer. Then we will have no obstacles to go to the toilet.

First of all, all public organizations that have public toilets, especially in children’s institutions, are supposed to follow the rules for their maintenance. Then nothing will interfere with this important need, and we, and especially our children, will not have to restrain ourselves to our detriment.

That’s why the Domestos brand launched the project “You can’t stand learning”, where we have to put a comma ourselves. The project focuses on the low level of sanitary maintenance of school bathrooms and how this can affect the health of the child. As part of the project, the brand helped schools by renovating bathrooms, and launched an educational campaign for parents, students and teachers across the country to help them immerse themselves in the problem and encourage them to pay more attention to the topic of hygiene by collecting expert materials on the topic on the site. link.

Pain during urination in women: pain in the lower abdomen, pain, frequent nighttime urination

Pain during urination in women is a symptom that may indicate an infectious or non-infectious disease. When it appears, it is advisable not to postpone the appointment of a urologist, but to get qualified help as soon as possible. This will help you get rid of discomfort and prevent complications.

The doctors of the clinic “Promedica” in Belgorod will take a complete anamnesis. To clarify the clinical picture, they will conduct a diagnosis, according to the results of which you will be prescribed treatment.

Causes of urinary pain in women

Weakening of the immune system. With hypothermia or damage by pathogenic bacteria, diseases occur that accompany pain when urinating in women in the lower abdomen.
Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, unprotected sex. Due to the anatomical features, the female urethra is more susceptible to damage by harmful organisms. The urethra in women is shorter than in men, it is in close proximity to the vagina. If the rules of personal hygiene are not observed, the bladder and kidneys are easily infected. The same can occur with the course of STDs;
allergic reactions. They occur when wearing tight underwear, as well as when using inappropriate cosmetics and hygiene products;
the development of the disease against the background of other pathologies. For example, infections that occur against the background of untreated caries or tonsillitis can spread through the lymphatic and circulatory systems. Against this background, there are pathologies of the genitourinary tract;
control of the urge to urinate. All excrement must be excreted by the body in a timely manner. Prolonged suppression of urges can lead to discomfort.

What diseases cause pain when urinating in women?

Cystitis. Inflammation of the bladder is accompanied by severe pain. It is provoked by staphylococcus aureus or E. coli. Due to the increased diameter and shorter length of the urethra, pathogenesis progresses rapidly. With the development of cystitis, there are frequent urge to urinate and aching pain. When going to the toilet, pain and spasms can occur. At further stages of the development of pathology, false urges arise. The acute form of the disease may be accompanied by hematuria.
Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra that accompanies pain when urinating in women in the lower abdomen. You may feel a burning sensation at the beginning and at the end of the process. You can also observe an increase in urges, some of which will be false.
Urolithiasis. Bladder stones cause pain. Discomfort can be felt in the organs of the reproductive system and in the perineum. The intensity of pain increases with movement and during urination. When a solid formation moves along the urethra, it is traumatized. In this case, there is a sharp pain when urinating, and blood may also appear in the urine.
Genital herpes. It can proceed both asymptomatically and be accompanied by a rash on the genitals. Cutting pain in genital herpes occurs at the beginning of urination.
Chlamydia infection. When the urethra is affected by an infection, the urge to urinate becomes more frequent and is accompanied by discomfort.
Myometritis and endometritis. Accompanied by pain. Also, these pathologies occur with frequent nocturnal urination in women.
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. In its acute form, it is accompanied by pain during urination. It is especially strong in the morning hours.
Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory disease caused by an infection. This causes pain during urination;
Tumors of the urinary tract. With constant irritation of the bladder and ureters, damage to the nerve plexuses, there are frequent urges to urinate, pain, etc.
Allergy. It is manifested by irritation in the perineum and genitals and is accompanied by swelling. You may experience discomfort while urinating.

Features of pain during urination in women

When contacting our clinic, the doctor seeks to clarify the localization of sensations, the ability to radiate to other areas: in the perineum, in the lower back, in the lower abdomen. The nature of sensations is also taken into account: cutting, aching, sharp (penetrating). It also matters at what point discomfort occurs: pain after urination, during, when the first urine appears, etc. Other symptoms must also be taken into account: itching, redness of tissues, abnormal vaginal discharge, etc. It is important to be extremely frank with your doctor, so that he can obtain reliable information about the disease.

At the stage of drawing up a treatment plan, you may additionally need:

Diagnosis of diseases accompanied by pain during urination in women

To obtain an accurate clinical picture, you may be assigned a comprehensive examination. It includes:

general urine and blood tests;
smear for flora from the cervical canal;
testing to confirm the presence of STDs;
cystoscopy;
Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, etc.

Treatment

The therapy is determined by the data obtained during the diagnosis. It may include antibiotic therapy, taking anti-inflammatory, antihistamines, surgical procedures, physiotherapy. The treatment plan depends on the disease, accompanied by pain during urination in women, and the individual characteristics of the patient.

Where to go for pain when urinating in women?

To get rid of discomfort, improve well-being and quality of life, contact the medical center “Promedica”. In our clinic, you can get the help of specialists with solid clinical experience. According to patients, they use only effective treatment regimens.

Have questions? To clarify the price of an appointment or a diagnostic procedure, please contact us in a convenient way.

Pain in the lower abdomen in women: possible causes, diagnosis, treatment

Contents:

Causes of abdominal pain in women
Nature and types of abdominal pain
Diagnosis of lower abdominal pain
Indications for treatment
Methods of treatment of pain in the lower abdomen
Disease prevention

Why does the lower abdomen hurt in women?

Women quite often suffer from pain in the lower abdomen, arising from both physiological causes and serious diseases. Trying to eliminate pain by taking antispasmodics is possible only when it is established that there is no threat to the body.

When other warning symptoms are added to the pain, you should immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis. A complex of examinations, a detailed collection of anamnesis is needed, after which the doctor will prescribe an adequate treatment.

Causes of abdominal pain in women

Pain in this area may indicate inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, intestinal disorders, congenital pathologies. There are several likely sources.

Ovulation – in the middle of the cycle, a number of women experience pain, usually it quickly passes and is well stopped by antispasmodics. True, in the event that a woman suffers from apoplexy (increased volume of fluid in the abdomen), the pain will be much longer and painkillers will not help.
Appendicitis – if the pain during ovulation is well known to women, then the sensations from the inflamed appendicitis will be strong and unknown, they will be localized on the right side, during the day they will intensify, then almost completely disappear. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Intestinal spasm – usually accompanied by stool changes. Most likely, the cause of intestinal spasm is overeating the day before or eating a large amount of junk food, such as chips.
Ectopic pregnancy – usually this, in addition to pain in the lower abdomen, indicates a delay in menstruation. In this case, a pregnancy test may show a negative result. In order to exclude this dangerous diagnosis, you need to contact a gynecologist and take a blood test for hCG.
Inflammatory processes of the uterine appendages – inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs can be triggered by hypothermia or infections. If the causes of pain in the lower abdomen are precisely this, then it is extremely important to consult a doctor in time, since inflammation of the appendages can cause infertility.
Cystitis – in this case you will feel very peculiar pains of a cutting nature in the very bottom of the abdomen, they will be especially well felt in the process of urination.
Menstruation – usually on the first day of menstruation or a few days before their onset, almost all women feel a pulling, dull pain in the lower abdomen, most often it is well eliminated by taking analgesics. Pain during this period is considered normal.
Oncological diseases – in the event that the pain is difficult to characterize and accurately determine its localization, then things may be much worse than you think and you urgently need the help of doctors.
Uterine fibroids – benign neoplasms can also cause inconvenience and pain, and a woman will also observe extremely heavy menstruation.

A woman should be attentive to her health, especially reproductive health, so pain in the lower abdomen should alert her. If a woman is concerned about pain during urination, or immediately after, as well as constant discomfort and aching pain in this area, you should visit a gynecologist, then a urologist. Even more carefully, one should approach the painful sensations if impurities are found in the urine: mucous and bloody.

When the pain radiates to the lower back, it is necessary to exclude an infectious disease of the kidneys and ureters – pyelonephritis. The characteristic burning pain in cystitis is often combined with inflammatory processes in the genitals.

The nature of pain in the abdomen and its features

The nature of pain varies depending on the cause that caused it.

Inside the abdomen there are several important organs and interacting structures. By the nature of the pain, already at the initial examination, the doctor will determine how urgent the medical intervention should be. It also determines which specialist you need to contact.

Types of pain commonly encountered in practice:

Acute cutting pain in the lower abdomen in a woman often indicates dangerous reproductive problems that require urgent care. The most common problems are: ectopic pregnancy, adnexitis, endometriosis, complicated ovarian cyst or rupture.
Cramping, such as muscle contractions and spasms, are most dangerous during pregnancy, if the term of delivery has not yet come. This pain is often accompanied by bleeding. The doctor is likely to suggest the threat of termination of pregnancy.
Pulling that occurs periodically, as a rule, disturbs in the presence of chronic inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs. If they occur after intense exertion or during sexual intercourse, with a high degree of probability this indicates the presence of endometriosis, adnexitis, and adhesive disease. At rest, the pain subsides, but this does not mean that the process has completely subsided. When pulling pains appear, you should definitely consult a doctor, even if you think that there is no urgency.
Pressing pains often occur in pregnant women with high uterine tone, and are considered a rather dangerous condition that requires an immediate visit to the doctor in charge of the pregnancy. Sometimes such pain is caused by a growing uterus, pressing on the internal organs.
Often, pain in the lower abdomen can be caused by physiological causes before menstruation. The uterus enlarges during this time, causing pain and discomfort in nearby structures. When menstruation has already begun, the pain intensifies, weakness appears. Menstrual flow is usually copious. With such symptoms, it is advisable to visit a doctor and undergo an examination.

In any case, you should not postpone going to the clinic if you experience pain.

Timely diagnosis will increase the effectiveness of treatment, prevent complications, and shorten the duration of drug therapy.

Diagnosis of the causes of pain in the lower abdomen

Some diseases are similar in intensity and nature of pain. Differential diagnosis includes comprehensive examinations and examination by several specialized specialists. Attention is paid to the nuances: the frequency of pain; the presence of severe seizures; discharge from the urethra, vagina, uterus.

A variety of diagnostic tests are used to determine the source of pain and discomfort.

Laboratory tests:

Smear for genital infections. Based on its results, a conclusion is obtained on the development of a latent bacterial flora.
Bacterial culture of urine. Data are needed to detect urinary tract infections, abnormalities in the functioning of the kidneys and pathologies of a urological nature.

Instrumental examinations by doctor’s referral:

Ultrasound (ultrasound examination) – allows you to qualitatively assess the condition of tissues, blood vessels, exclude blood supply problems, ectopic development of the embryo. The method is absolutely safe and has no restrictions on the number of procedures for a patient in any condition.
Colposcopy – Examination with multiple magnification using a colposcope.
Hysteroscopy is the study of intrauterine changes, in which tissue biopsy and other minimally invasive techniques are available.
Radiography – a picture in a plane under the influence of x-rays, revealing pathologies of the structure of bone tissues and organs.
CT (computed tomography) – X-ray irradiation in a special box, in which the image is obtained in a three-dimensional volume. The accuracy of the indicators is achieved by setting the layer-by-layer cut to 1 mm.
MRI – electromagnetic wave tomography, in which, under the influence of radiation, different tissues give a different reaction. The method is more used in the diagnosis of diseases of soft tissues, blood vessels.
Laparoscopy – an invasive approach with penetration into the painful area for a detailed examination of the internal organs of the lower abdomen and taking tests. The laparoscopic examination technique is used for neoplasms, revealing hidden injuries, it is used only when absolutely necessary. Laparoscopy involves inserting a cannula into the cervix to gain direct access to the problem area.

Instrumental studies require preparation. It is imperative to observe hygiene and the diet prescribed by the doctor, and in some cases – a complete refusal to eat and drink for a certain time. After the appointment of the appropriate examination, the woman receives an exact list of preparation rules.

Indications for treatment

If you feel pain in the lower abdomen, you should immediately contact the clinic, since the diagnosis of the disease at its first stage will greatly increase the speed of recovery and help avoid complications. First, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist. If he does not find problems in the genitals, he will need to be examined by other specialized specialists: a urologist, a therapist.

We list the indications for which a visit to a doctor is mandatory:

any kind of pain in the lower abdomen, not related to the menstrual cycle
curdled discharge, offensive odor
blood, mucus from the vagina or rectum
genital itching, burning (including when urinating)
frequent urination
nausea, vomiting
constipation, stool problems
blood in urine
fever, chills, weakness
sudden weight loss
sharp pain in the lower abdomen in women in the absence of medical care leads to the irreversible development of pathologies. There are no typical contraindications to therapy, but not all effective research methods are acceptable for specific cases. The doctor’s task is to correctly determine an approach that is safe for the patient’s health and effective in treatment.

In the Bibirevo Central Clinic, an experienced doctor will examine you, prescribe diagnostic tests, and, based on their results, prescribe treatment in accordance with the stage of the disease detected and the severity of its course. Specialists will identify the source of pain using high-precision diagnostic equipment.

Methods of treatment for abdominal pain

The treatment is carried out in a complex, taking into account all possible problem areas. This will prevent the spread of infection and inflammation, if any.

The following treatments are used:

First Aid: If the pain is mild and caused by a physiological adjustment, a single dose of pain medication and warmth on the lower abdomen will help. Rest often reduces and relieves pain even without medication. But this technique can be used only if inflammation is not detected, and pain does not appear regularly.

With conservative treatment, drugs are selected individually, according to the cause of pain:

Acute pain in the absence of infection is relieved by analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
If an infection is detected, antiviral or antibacterial (depending on the pathogen) drugs are used, as well as drugs that strengthen the immune system. If the infection is bacterial, preparations that restore the microflora are also used.
If pain persists for a long time, physiotherapy is prescribed as an aid. But it must be borne in mind that it is not indicated for all diagnoses in which pain appears.
To strengthen the body, natural remedies are used: local inflammation helps to remove decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs, herbal teas. Anti-inflammatory tampons and compresses are also used. It must be borne in mind that thermal procedures (warm compresses and a heating pad) for abdominal pain can only be used in the absence of inflammation. You can use them after examination by a gynecologist and urologist. It is dangerous to use such funds without an appointment.

If the pain is sharp and stabbing, urgent admission to the hospital is necessary. Hidden problems such as the appearance of adhesions, the likelihood of neoplasm, blockage of the fallopian tube, intestinal obstruction, require emergency care.

Disease prevention

Long-term practice shows that many diseases can be prevented simply by following simple rules:

wash hands, observe general hygiene;
strengthen immunity by taking natural immunomodulators;
avoid hypothermia;
eat rationally. Most of the diet should be vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins;
Avoid constipation. If necessary, stimulate intestinal motility with folk remedies;
lead an active lifestyle.