14 Things That Might Be Causing Pain in Your Lower Left Abdomen
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Ouch! You may know that pain in your lower right abdomen is infamously linked to appendicitis, but what about pain in your lower left abdomen? While it could simply be a muscle strain, it’s important to know what else could be causing your discomfort to ensure something more serious doesn’t go untreated.
Meet the Experts: Andrew Boxer, M.D., gastroenterologist of Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey; Alisha Goodrum, M.D., board-certified internal medicine physician with PlushCare; Joseph Mercola, D.O., board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician and author of Your Guide to Cellular Health; Sherry Ross, M.D., women’s sexual health expert, author of she-ology and the she-quel.
It may surprise you to know that what’s bringing about your localized abdominal pain could be dependent on your biology, that is your gender assigned at birth. Other causes, such as digestive issues and infections, can impact us all the same. To get to the bottom of why you’re experiencing pain in your lower left abdomen, we tapped our experts to explain all the common, and not so common, causes behind your discomfort.
What causes lower left abdominal pain?
Lower left abdominal pain can have many causes, ranging from minor to serious, says Andrew Boxer, M.D., gastroenterologist of Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey. Common causes include:
Gastrointestinal issues
Conditions like diverticulitis, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or food intolerances are frequent culprits, says Dr. Boxer.
Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the wall of your colon, called diverticula, get inflamed or infected, Dr. Boxer explains. “It usually causes pain on the lower left side of your belly, and you might also have fever, nausea, or changes in your bowel habits.” Most cases are treated with rest, antibiotics, and dietary changes, but severe cases might need hospital care, he notes.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, can also lead to chronic inflammation and persistent abdominal pain, adds Joseph Mercola, D.O., board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician and author of Your Guide to Cellular Health.
Musculoskeletal pain
Strains or injuries to the abdominal wall muscles can also present as lower left abdominal pain, explains Dr. Boxer.
Infections
Intestinal infections, such as gastroenteritis, can cause localized pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Gastroenteritis, often called the “stomach flu,” is an infection in your stomach and intestines. It causes symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramps, notes Dr. Boxer. “It’s usually caused by a virus or bacteria and goes away on its own with rest and hydration, but severe dehydration may need medical attention.”
Kidney problems
Kidney stones or infections can occasionally refer pain to the lower left abdomen, says Dr. Boxer. Similarly, urinary tract infections can also cause pain in this region, says Sherry Ross, M.D., women’s sexual health expert, author of she-ology and the she-quel.
Other conditions
Hernias or vascular conditions like abdominal aortic aneurysm, though less common, may also cause pain in this region, Dr. Boxer points out.
What causes lower abdominal pain in females?
The cause of your lower left abdominal pain could depend on your biological gender at birth, says Dr. Ross. “Since the anatomy is different between genders, a differential diagnosis list can be identified, dependent on the symptoms experienced.”
Individuals assigned female at birth may experience pain due to gynecological or reproductive health issues, says Dr. Boxer, including:
Ovulation pain (mittelschmerz): Mid-cycle pain during ovulation, often on one side.
Menstrual cramps: Commonly experienced during menstruation and can radiate to the lower abdomen.
Endometriosis: A condition where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, causing significant pain.
Ovarian cysts or torsion: Cysts can form on the ovaries, sometimes leading to rupture or twisting, both of which cause acute pain.
Ectopic pregnancy: A serious condition where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, often accompanied by sharp, severe pain.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive organs that may cause lower abdominal pain.
What causes lower abdominal pain in males?
Once digestive and muscle concerns are ruled out as a cause of pain in male individuals, evaluation with a urologist may be beneficial to diagnose the cause of discomfort, says Alisha Goodrum, M.D., board-certified internal medicine physician with PlushCare.
For those assigned male at birth, Dr. Boxer notes that causes of lower abdominal pain may include:
Inguinal hernias: A bulge in the groin area that can cause pain, especially with exertion.
Inguinal hernias occur when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal wall, explains Dr. Mercola. “These typically cause pain in the lower abdomen or groin, especially during physical activity or straining,” he adds.
Testicular conditions: Pain may radiate to the lower abdomen in cases of testicular torsion, epididymitis, or orchitis.
Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis, a tube at the back of the testicle that stores sperm, explains Dr. Boxer. “It can cause pain and swelling in the testicle, along with fever or discomfort when urinating.” It’s often caused by an infection and is treated with antibiotics and pain relief, he notes.
Orchitis is swelling and inflammation of one or both testicles, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, says Dr. Boxer. “It can lead to pain, swelling, and fever. In some cases, it’s linked to mumps.” Treatment depends on the cause and often includes pain management and antibiotics, he adds.
Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate can cause discomfort in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or perineum.
When to see a doctor about lower left abdominal pain
While many causes of lower left abdominal pain can be managed at home through lifestyle changes and over-the-counter remedies, persistent or severe symptoms require professional medical evaluation, says Dr. Mercola. “Your healthcare provider can determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment based on your specific situation.”
Dr. Boxer says it’s important to see a doctor if you experience:
Severe or worsening pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter remedies
Persistent pain lasting more than a few days
Accompanying symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in bowel habits
Blood in your stool or urine, or unusual vaginal bleeding
Signs of a potential emergency, such as sharp, sudden pain, dizziness, or fainting
Also, if you experience any genital discharge or pain with sexual activity/intercourse, Dr. Ross adds that this is a sign to call your doctor.
Your primary care doctor is a great resource for determining the cause of pain, says Dr. Goodrum, and advising if further evaluation by a specialist like a gastroenterologist, urologist or gynecologist is warranted.
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