Abdominal pain on the left side

Pain in the abdomen on the left is often associated with the onset of an inflammatory process in the large intestine, more precisely in its lower part. At the same time, a number of other symptoms appear - constipation, bloating.

Pain on the left in women often indicates problems with the genitourinary system. If severe pain occurs, which is accompanied by a feeling of nausea, sometimes vomiting, high temperature, then it may be associated with an ovarian cyst, and the pain that occurs on the left can spread throughout the lower abdomen. In principle, any pain in the lower abdomen for a woman should be a reason to visit a gynecologist.

Causes of abdominal pain on the left

Pain in the abdomen on the left most often occurs in the following cases:

• an inflammatory process in the lower intestine. Usually, with such a pathology, other symptoms appear: bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Most often, this disease occurs in women prone to dysbacteriosis, enterocolitis and some other pathologies of the digestive system. If the pain in the left side of the abdomen is caused by inflammation in the intestine, then a few days of dieting will help reduce the discomfort, but if even after this the pain does not go away, but on the contrary, intensifies, you must seek qualified help;
• diseases of the genitourinary system. In women, pain on the left may occur with inflammation of the internal organs. With inflammation of the appendages, fallopian tubes, there is a sharp pain in the ovaries, radiating to the groin area. Often, such conditions are accompanied by high temperature. Sharp pain also accompanies an ovarian cyst, especially with severe inflammation or rupture. In this case, the temperature rises, vomiting, severe pain, and a pre-fainting condition may occur. With such symptoms, you should immediately call an ambulance;
• ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the pain is cramping. If you suspect an ectopic pregnancy, you should immediately contact a specialist. In such cases, surgical treatment is indicated. If the fallopian tube ruptures, severe complications may occur, including infertility;
• pain on the left side of the abdomen may appear for physiological reasons. For example, during ovulation, when the egg ruptures the follicle. Usually, such pains go away on their own after a few days. A reason for consulting a gynecologist should be very painful menstruation with the release of clots, which may indicate inflammation of the appendages.

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Left abdominal pain in men

Pain in the abdomen on the left in men occurs for a variety of reasons.

This kind of pain may indicate inflammation of the testicles, the formation of a cyst, a hernia. Often, in addition to pain, there may be a high temperature, general weakness, nausea. Also, pain on the left may appear after an unusual shaking of the internal organs, especially after physical exercise. In this case, the pain in the abdomen has a pulling or tingling character.

In any case, if the pain does not go away for several days, increases, is accompanied by other symptoms, you need to consult a specialist and determine the cause of the pain in order to avoid serious complications. For example, with an advanced inflammatory process in the testicles, the reproductive function of a man is impaired. Often, the inflammatory process in the testicles begins after a cold or infection.

Most often, pain is associated with diseases of the genitourinary system. Inflammation of the bladder is usually accompanied by aching or pulling pain on the left, when urinating, the discomfort often intensifies, in addition, the frequency of urination per day increases. Very rarely, inflammation of the bladder is accompanied by fever.

Also, one of the most common causes of pain on the left is inflammation of the prostate gland, in which case the pain is of a pulling or cutting nature. The pain can spread to the groin or testicles, and there may also be pain when urinating. The main symptom of inflammation of the prostate gland is erectile dysfunction.

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Pain in the abdomen on the left during pregnancy

Abdominal pain in a pregnant woman is conventionally divided into gynecological, i.e. those associated with the possibility of a spontaneous miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, and non-gynecological, i.e. those associated with a disruption of the digestive function, displacement of internal organs and stretching of the muscles of the growing uterus.

Usually, abdominal pain is the result of the body's reaction to the growing fetus. Pain may also occur with genitourinary infections, constipation, and digestive problems.

Pain in the abdomen on the left in a woman during pregnancy should be a reason to see a gynecologist. This condition may be associated with inflammation of the appendix, despite the fact that the appendix is on the right side, changes in the internal organs caused by the growing fetus may be the cause of pain on the left side.

Pain may also indicate inflammation of the appendages. If you experience pulling, cramping pains that radiate to the sacrum, you should immediately consult a doctor, as this may indicate a threat of miscarriage. Often, with pain that occurs during rejection of the fetus, bloody discharge appears. In a pregnant woman, if the body moves unsuccessfully or the position changes, the ligaments that support the uterus may stretch, and the woman may feel pain, but this condition does not pose a threat to the health of the mother and child.

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How does pain in the abdomen on the left manifest itself?

Depending on the cause, abdominal pain on the left can be constant or intermittent. Depending on the severity, it can be intense or weak. The pain can also manifest itself as stabbing, cutting, cramping, or pulling.

A nagging pain in the abdomen on the left

Nagging pains in the abdomen on the left are often caused by inflammation of the internal organs located in this part of the peritoneum - internal genital organs, left kidney, lower intestines. Nagging pains in the left side of the abdomen appear in connection with a variety of problems: spasms, inflammation of the genitourinary or digestive system, adhesive or inflammatory processes in the peritoneum, etc.

First of all, nagging pain occurs when:

• adhesive processes;
• intestinal spasms;
• adenoma, prostatitis;
• gynecological problems;
• oncology, etc.

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Severe pain in the abdomen on the left

Severe pain in the abdomen on the left usually occurs in conditions that require immediate surgical treatment (bleeding, ruptures or twisting of internal organs, inflammation of the peritoneum, etc.)

Severe pain in a woman during pregnancy may be associated with the threat of premature birth, uterine rupture, early placental abruption. In such conditions, both the woman and her child are at risk. Severe pain may also bother a woman with an ectopic pregnancy. In some cases, the fertilized egg cannot penetrate the uterus and attaches to the fallopian tube. In this case, the woman may experience all the signs of pregnancy (absence of menstruation, malaise, etc.) or not even suspect her condition. After some time, the growing embryo creates a threat of rupture of the fallopian tube and the woman experiences severe pain.

Also, severe pain on the left can occur with ovarian ruptures (apoplexy). Often this condition is preceded by too intense sex or physical stress. Severe pain can radiate to the lower back, rectum, be accompanied by nausea, weakness, and loss of consciousness is possible.

Aching pain in the abdomen on the left

Inflammation in the peritoneum can cause aching pain in the lower abdomen.

In women, pain of this kind often occurs with diseases associated with gynecology; sometimes the pain that appears on the left can spread throughout the abdomen, radiating to the lower back, and other symptoms of the disease may also appear.

Often, aching pains appear with inflammation of the appendages, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and cystitis. In men, aching pains in the lower abdomen on the left may indicate prostatitis or inflammation of the seminal vesicles.

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Sharp pain in the abdomen on the left

Sharp pain in the abdomen on the left often occurs with intestinal disease (obstruction, intestinal infection, flatulence, rectal cancer, hernia), with inflammation of the genitourinary system, with dysfunction of the left kidney.

It is worth noting that sharp pains that do not stop for a long time are a good reason to see a doctor. This kind of pain can be associated with a ruptured cyst or tumor. In men, such pains can indicate the onset of prostatitis. If the cause of the pain is the intestines, then other symptoms usually occur: indigestion, nausea, bloating, fever.

Weight loss in a person complaining of sharp pains on the left side of the abdomen may be associated with the development of a malignant tumor.

Stabbing pain in the abdomen on the left

Pregnant women, especially in the first months of pregnancy, may feel pain in the abdomen on the left or right. This condition is in most cases associated with the restructuring of the body and muscle stretching. This type of pain is more typical for those women whose menstruation was too painful before pregnancy.

Also, stabbing pains can occur with hypertonicity of the uterus. With minor pains, after a short rest everything should return to normal, but if the pains are severe, and any discharge appears, you should urgently consult a doctor.

Stabbing pains may occur with some digestive disorders (constipation, flatulence, etc.). In some cases, stabbing pains occur during an attack of acute appendicitis.

Acute pain in the abdomen on the left

Pain in the abdomen on the left can have different causes. If acute pain occurs, you need to seek medical help as soon as possible, since such pain is almost always associated with severe pathologies of internal organs. Acute pain often occurs during an ectopic pregnancy, when there is a risk of rupture of the tube in which the embryo began to develop. This condition requires urgent surgical treatment, otherwise the risk of infertility in the future increases. Also, acute pain often accompanies various inflammatory processes of internal organs (appendages, ovaries, etc.). Only a specialist can determine the exact cause of pain.

Pain on the left side of the lower abdomen often occurs with inflammatory processes in the fallopian tubes, with intestinal obstruction, with malignant tumors in the intestine. In men, acute pain may indicate inflammation of the internal genital organs (inflammation of the testicle, spermatic cord, testicular torsion, etc.)

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Dull pain in the abdomen on the left

Dull pain in the abdomen on the left often indicates an inflammatory process in the abdominal cavity. Only a specialist can determine the exact cause of such pain. In most cases, an ultrasound examination will help determine the disease.

Women who experience dull pain should see a gynecologist. If the disease is not related to the female genital organs, the doctor will issue a referral for a consultation with another specialist.

In a pregnant woman, dull pain may be associated with muscle stretching due to the increasing size of the uterus, it may also indicate the onset of a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) or an ectopic pregnancy. But in any case, an accurate diagnosis can be made after an examination.

Dull pain in the lower abdomen on the left may not be related to the genitals. This type of pain occurs with muscle strain or constipation.

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Cutting pain in the abdomen on the left

Cutting pains in the abdomen on the left are most often associated with inflammation of certain parts of the intestine, genital or urinary organs, as well as with malignant tumors.

When such pains appear in women, it may be a sign of diseases of the reproductive organs; if the pain radiates to the area above the pubis, the pains are most likely associated with gynecological problems.

In case of sharp, long-lasting pain, you should seek medical help, as in this case the pain may be caused by a ruptured cyst, ovary, etc. In men, sharp pain indicates problems with the genitourinary system, usually the onset of prostatitis.

In case of intestinal pathology, sharp abdominal pain may be accompanied by bowel disorder, nausea, bloating, and fever.

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Cramping pain in the abdomen on the left

With cramping pains, usually there is a strong spasm of the smooth muscles of the hollow organs. The source of pain can be the fallopian tubes, uterus, intestines, bladder, ureters. Natural contraction of the smooth muscles of the hollow organs occurs constantly, which contributes to the normal movement of the contents. For example, a person does not feel when the intestines, ureter, bladder contract. If there are no pathologies, the muscles contract painlessly.

Cramping pains in the abdomen on the left may indicate a malfunction of a hollow organ (obstruction of the intestine, ureter), it may also be associated with functional disorders in the internal organs (spastic colitis, intestinal inflammation, etc.), in this case it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Cramping pains are not always associated with functional disorders. Sometimes such pains in the lower abdomen in women can indicate a serious pathology (spontaneous abortion, formation of a myomatous node in fibroma).

Throbbing pain in the abdomen on the left

Throbbing pain in the lower abdomen on the left often occurs with increased cavity pressure inside the hollow organs.

Periodic pain in the abdomen on the left

Periodic pain in the abdomen on the left can appear for a variety of reasons and most often it signals some kind of disease. Pain of this kind occurs as a result of irritation of the sensitive endings of the membranes of internal organs.

Periodic pains can be sharp, aching, pulsating, etc. If you have sharp pain that occurs from time to time, you should immediately consult a doctor, as this is most often associated with serious diseases of the internal organs.

Periodically occurring pain may indicate a chronic inflammatory process or the onset of a disease.

Periodic dull or aching pain occurs with chronic cholecystitis, infectious and inflammatory kidney disease, urolithiasis. With pains that drag from time to time, we may be talking about an ectopic pregnancy, inflammation of the appendages, ovaries. In men, this kind of pain is usually associated with urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis.

Constant pain in the abdomen on the left

Constant pain in the abdomen on the left side most often bothers with progressive inflammatory processes (ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, malignant tumors in the intestine, intestinal protrusion, hernial protrusion of the intestinal wall, polyps on the intestinal walls, etc.).

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Stabbing pain in the abdomen on the left

Stabbing pains in the abdomen on the left may indicate various diseases. In some cases, women feel a slight stabbing pain before the onset of menstruation, at the moment the egg leaves the follicle. Usually, medical help is required when other symptoms (fever, nausea, vomiting) appear along with the pain. An infectious disease is indicated by pains that are accompanied by general weakness and high temperature. If the pain is caused by a pathology of the intestines or stomach, a person is also often bothered by nausea and vomiting. With frequent urination, sharp stabbing pains in the lower left part of the abdomen, cystitis or other diseases of the urinary system can be assumed.

Diagnosis of abdominal pain on the left

When a patient complains of pain in the abdomen on the left, the doctor first determines the nature of the pain, the specific location of its occurrence and duration, and finds out the anamnesis (past illnesses).

After the survey, the specialist conducts an examination (palpation, gynecological examination), which will help to determine the localization of pain and identify neoplasms. After this, the doctor prescribes additional research methods (to confirm or establish a diagnosis). As a rule, the doctor prescribes ultrasound, MRI, laparoscopy, smears, general blood and urine tests.

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Treatment of abdominal pain on the left

Treatment of abdominal pain on the left depends, first of all, on the disease. It is quite difficult to determine on your own the exact reason for the pain in the lower abdomen, so it is best to immediately contact a specialist. You should not take painkillers on your own, since in this case, it is difficult for the doctor, due to the erased clinical picture, to determine the cause of the disease.

In case of intestinal inflammation (irritable bowel syndrome), it is recommended to stick to a diet that includes more liquid food, porridge. Solid food and carbohydrates should be excluded from the diet. If the pain is caused by colitis, it is recommended to completely exclude dairy products from the diet. If the disease is accompanied by frequent constipation, the diet should include a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables in boiled or mashed form.

Neoplasms in the abdominal cavity (polyps, cysts) must be treated under the supervision of a specialist, otherwise the likelihood of transformation into a malignant tumor increases. Pain caused by gynecological diseases must be treated after consultation with a gynecologist and establishment of an accurate diagnosis.

If severe, frequently recurring, prolonged pain occurs, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Prevention of abdominal pain on the left

Pain in the abdomen on the left can appear suddenly or increase gradually and can be caused by various diseases.

The most common cause of abdominal pain on the left is irritable bowel syndrome. With this disease, the intestinal wall becomes inflamed as a result of nervous tension, poor nutrition. In this case, for prevention, it is recommended to stick to a complete and healthy diet, get more rest, and lead a healthy lifestyle.

To prevent gynecological diseases, it is recommended not to overcool, wear comfortable underwear made of natural fabrics. It has been established that wearing too tight clothes (especially jeans) disrupts blood circulation in the pelvis, which provokes diseases of the female genital organs. It is also recommended to undergo an annual examination by a gynecologist in order to detect possible diseases early. Some inflammatory processes can occur at the initial stage completely without symptoms (or with minor manifestations).

To prevent prostatitis, it is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, give up alcohol and smoking, and engage in moderate physical activity.

Left abdominal pain is a fairly common symptom that can be associated with a variety of diseases. Pain can have different natures and with the same disease, symptoms can differ depending on the individual properties of the body. As a rule, pain is caused by inflammatory processes of internal organs or functional disorders.