Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCausesWhen to See a ProviderDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Causes
When to See a Provider
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lower left abdominal pain can be benign (harmless) or a sign of a serious illness. Hernias, kidney stones, and endometriosis are some common causes of pain in this region. In some cases, the cause may be cancer.
This article will review the causes of lower left abdominal pain, how it is diagnosed and treated, and when to see a healthcare provider or get immediate care.
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What Is Lower Left Abdominal Pain?
The lower left of the abdomen is the area on the left side of your abdomen, underneath your belly button.
Pain in this area may be acute (of short duration) orchronic(lasting more than six months).Lower left abdominal pain can feel different depending on what’s causing the discomfort. The pain can be:
Causes of Lower Left Abdominal Pain
Since several organs occupy the lower left abdominal space, there could be many causes for pain in this area. Potential reasons for lower left abdominal pain includedigestive, urological,gynecologic, infectious, and structural conditions, including:
What Causes Lower Abdominal Pain in Females?
Small Intestine and Colon Conditions
The small intestine and colon take up a large portion of the lower left abdomen. Some small intestine and colon disorders can cause lower left abdominal pain, including:
In addition to lower left abdominal pain, these conditions can cause bowel changes,indigestion, gas,bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
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Urological Conditions
Theurinary tractconsists of the kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder. Certain disorders of the urinary tract can cause lower left abdominal pain, including:
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Gynecologic Conditions
Lower left abdominal pain in people with female reproductive organs can signify a serious medical condition that may require emergency treatment. Causes include:
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Infection
Structural Conditions
A hernia occurs when an organ, such as the colon, pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, causing a bulge. Hernias are common in the abdomen and inguinal (groin) area. Some hernias are not painful or disruptive, but others may require surgical repair to improve symptoms.
A Word From VerywellWhile there are many common causes of lower left abdominal pain, it’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there are other rare causes of lower left abdominal pain as well. If you are experiencing pain in this area, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.—KASHIF J. PIRACHA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
While there are many common causes of lower left abdominal pain, it’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there are other rare causes of lower left abdominal pain as well. If you are experiencing pain in this area, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.—KASHIF J. PIRACHA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
While there are many common causes of lower left abdominal pain, it’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there are other rare causes of lower left abdominal pain as well. If you are experiencing pain in this area, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
—KASHIF J. PIRACHA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Make an appointment to see your health provider if you experience any of the following symptoms along with abdominal pain:
Diagnosing Causes of Lower Left Abdominal Pain
Depending on the type of symptoms you’re experiencing, a healthcare provider may use several methods to diagnose the cause of lower left abdominal pain.
How to Treat Lower Left Abdominal Pain
If you have new or worsening pain in the lower left abdominal area, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for treatment. Treatment options vary widely depending on the underlying cause of the pain. The following interventions may temporarily relieve the symptoms of lower left abdominal pain:
What You Should Know About Abdominal Pain
Summary
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Chronic pain.FitzGerald JF, Hernandez Iii LO.Ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):93-98. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549099Corridoni D, Arseneau KO, Cominelli F.Inflammatory bowel disease.Immunol Lett. 2014;161(2):231-235. doi:10.1016/j.imlet.2014.04.004Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(5):1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(44):16389-16397. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urologic diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common reproductive health concerns for women.MedlinePlus.Ectopic pregnancy.MedlinePlus.Ovarian cysts.MedlinePlus.Shingles.HerniaSurge Group.International guidelines for groin hernia management. Hernia. 2018;22(1):1-165. doi:10.1007/s10029-017-1668-x
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Chronic pain.FitzGerald JF, Hernandez Iii LO.Ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):93-98. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549099Corridoni D, Arseneau KO, Cominelli F.Inflammatory bowel disease.Immunol Lett. 2014;161(2):231-235. doi:10.1016/j.imlet.2014.04.004Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(5):1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(44):16389-16397. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urologic diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common reproductive health concerns for women.MedlinePlus.Ectopic pregnancy.MedlinePlus.Ovarian cysts.MedlinePlus.Shingles.HerniaSurge Group.International guidelines for groin hernia management. Hernia. 2018;22(1):1-165. doi:10.1007/s10029-017-1668-x
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Chronic pain.FitzGerald JF, Hernandez Iii LO.Ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):93-98. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549099Corridoni D, Arseneau KO, Cominelli F.Inflammatory bowel disease.Immunol Lett. 2014;161(2):231-235. doi:10.1016/j.imlet.2014.04.004Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(5):1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(44):16389-16397. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urologic diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common reproductive health concerns for women.MedlinePlus.Ectopic pregnancy.MedlinePlus.Ovarian cysts.MedlinePlus.Shingles.HerniaSurge Group.International guidelines for groin hernia management. Hernia. 2018;22(1):1-165. doi:10.1007/s10029-017-1668-x
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Chronic pain.
FitzGerald JF, Hernandez Iii LO.Ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):93-98. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549099
Corridoni D, Arseneau KO, Cominelli F.Inflammatory bowel disease.Immunol Lett. 2014;161(2):231-235. doi:10.1016/j.imlet.2014.04.004
Strate LL, Morris AM.Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of diverticulitis.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(5):1282-1298.e1. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.033
Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(44):16389-16397. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urologic diseases.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common reproductive health concerns for women.
MedlinePlus.Ectopic pregnancy.
MedlinePlus.Ovarian cysts.
MedlinePlus.Shingles.
HerniaSurge Group.International guidelines for groin hernia management. Hernia. 2018;22(1):1-165. doi:10.1007/s10029-017-1668-x
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