^

Health

Lower abdominal pain on the left side

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left may indicate problems with the kidneys or intestines. It is difficult to say for sure, because it is necessary to conduct an appropriate examination.

trusted-source[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Causes of pain in the lower abdomen on the left

In general, pain in this area can become one of the main symptoms for many diseases. Sometimes it can be caused by inflammation of the appendix. Despite the fact that it is located in a completely different area. In addition, sometimes a sharp pain in the lower abdomen can indicate that a person has intestinal disorders. The reason for this can be the use of irritating or poor-quality food. Often, pain appears because a person is cold or simply has kidney problems. This phenomenon is quite common. In most cases, such pain still indicates irritable bowel syndrome. In this case, you need to pay attention to the accompanying factors in order to accurately understand that we are talking about this phenomenon. This can happen due to weight loss, stress and other unfavorable factors.

trusted-source[ 3 ]

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left in men

Lower abdominal pain on the left in men can indicate both serious problems and temporary disorders of some body functions. Basically, this indicates problems with the genitourinary system. It is simply impossible to diagnose on your own. You should undergo an examination, on the basis of which everything will become known. Sometimes, lower abdominal pain on the left is a harbinger of prostatitis. This problem cannot be left to chance. You need to see a doctor immediately, because in the future the problem can worsen. When there is acute pain, which is more pronounced during urination, then we are talking about a severe form of prostatitis. It is clearly not worth delaying treatment, the situation can worsen. But this is far from all that such pain can indicate. It is also a harbinger of a hernia, inflammation of the testicles, and even problems with the pancreas. If we are talking about the latter phenomenon, then you should limit the use of coarse food, which causes this kind of irritation. The main thing is to see a doctor for help in time.

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left during pregnancy

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left during pregnancy can signal the presence of various problems. If we are talking about the early stages, then this phenomenon is often associated with embryo implantation. In this case, there is no need to worry, this is normal. Sometimes pain can occur due to increased uterine tone or insufficiency in the cervix. Sometimes sharp pain with bloody discharge signals a miscarriage. In this case, you must urgently call an ambulance. If the pregnancy period is quite long, then the pain may indicate training contractions. This phenomenon also does not carry anything negative. Sometimes pain in the lower abdomen on the left also indicates intestinal disorders. A pregnant woman often suffers from this phenomenon. And finally, it is quite possible that cystitis has appeared. It manifests itself as acute pain and discomfort during urination. In any case, you need to visit a doctor. After all, it is good if such pain does not portend anything bad. It is not always a harbinger of serious problems.

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

Symptoms of pain in the lower abdomen on the left are the pain itself. It can be moderate, dull, cutting and sharp. In this case, everything depends on the cause of its occurrence. It is quite possible that a person has an ordinary stomach upset. but not always as simple as we would like. Maybe we are talking about something more serious. First of all, you need to pay attention to its nature and only then try to determine what it is. The patient's gender also plays a huge role. After all, in men, acute pain can indicate prostatitis, and in women, cystitis. In any case, you should not delay treatment. If the pain is moderate, it is quite possible that there are some problems with the intestines. Acute pain can become the very signal for action. After all, these can be problems with the intestines, pancreas and kidneys. Delaying a visit to the doctor is strictly prohibited in any case. After all, there were cases when acute pain in the lower abdomen on the left indicated appendicitis.

Aching pain in the lower left abdomen

A nagging pain in the lower left abdomen may symbolize the onset of kidney problems. But this is not always the case, sometimes it is about the intestines and reproductive organs. In general, pain in the lower abdomen on the left is a harbinger of either a serious illness or simply a disorder of some intestinal functions. So, in most cases, we are talking about irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, if you do not take measures, then this condition can last 12 weeks. Therefore, you should clearly not postpone a visit to the doctor. Why do you need extra problems and aggravation of the situation? So, irritable bowel syndrome is also accompanied by a change in the frequency of bowel movements. This criterion is worth paying attention to. After all, if it is present, then you should clearly seek help. This phenomenon does not cause much inconvenience to a person, but everything is up to a certain time. Then the situation can worsen many times. In this case, you will have to undergo longer and more complex treatment. Moreover, it is worth noting that the syndrome can disappear on its own, but only for a short time. Then everything returns again and with more serious symptoms.

trusted-source[ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Severe pain in the lower left abdomen

Severe pain in the lower left abdomen can appear for a number of reasons. It is important to note that in this case the gender of the person is of great importance, as well as the presence of pregnancy. Because it is difficult to speak about this problem in general. But if we are talking about men separately, then it can be either inflammation of the testicles or prostatitis. In general, you need to see a doctor so that he can make an accurate diagnosis. After all, it is difficult to speak about such things in general. If we take a woman separately, then in this case it can be cystitis or problems with the genitourinary system. In a pregnant girl, pain in the lower abdomen on the left can characterize the presence of both a disease and more serious problems. So, for example, we can talk about cystitis or just embryo implantation. In more severe cases, this indicates a threat of miscarriage. The duration of pregnancy also plays a big role here. In general, there can be quite a lot of reasons for the development of pain. The main thing is not to delay going to the doctor. So that the situation does not worsen, especially in the case of a pregnant girl. Here the risk is the highest.

Aching pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Aching pain in the lower abdomen on the left in most cases indicates problems with the intestines or kidneys. What could it be? Basically, if we talk specifically about the intestines, then there are quite a few reasons for the development of such a phenomenon. It can be an ordinary disorder of its work. This happens in the case of eating poor-quality food or food that can cause irritation. Therefore, it is always necessary to monitor what you eat. If we talk about the kidneys, then most likely this happened due to hypothermia or the presence of an infection in them. Only an experienced doctor can determine this after an examination. It is impossible to prescribe a diagnosis on your own. Moreover, taking painkillers is not recommended, because in this way you can easily hide the pain that signals a complex inflammatory process that occurs in the body. Most likely, ordinary hypothermia was the cause of this phenomenon. Especially if the pain occurred in a representative of the fair sex.

Sharp pain in the lower left abdomen

A sharp pain in the lower left abdomen symbolizes serious problems, in most cases. It should never be ignored. And taking painkillers is also not recommended. It is better to seek help from a doctor. What can such pain symbolize? In most cases, it can be kidney problems. Most likely, there is a place for an infectious disease. They mainly manifest themselves in this way. But it may be about the pancreas. But such pain, as a rule, although strong, is short-lived. If it does not go away for a long time, then something more serious has happened. This can be the first symptom of cystitis in women and the same symptom of prostatitis in men. Sometimes it can be a harbinger of appendicitis, despite the fact that the pain appeared on the other side. If we are talking about a severe form of inflammation, then the first signs can appear anywhere, and even in the navel area. It is forbidden to leave everything to chance. After all, if it is appendicitis, then the consequences can be extremely severe.

Stabbing pain in the lower left abdomen

Stabbing pains on the left side of the lower abdomen occur mainly due to inflammation of the colon. This can occur due to the intake of poor quality food or with a large amount of spices. Thus, this phenomenon is also accompanied by severe bloating. It is advisable to give up food that can irritate the intestines for some time. But you can find out about this only after consulting a doctor. You should not make a diagnosis on your own. If the problem is not in the intestines, then you should check the genitourinary system. You do not need to start fighting immediately. After all, the situation can get out of control at any time. If the stabbing pain is accompanied by fever and vomiting, then you should immediately consult a doctor. It is advisable to immediately call an ambulance and not try to cope with the situation on your own. These can be serious problems that sometimes require surgical intervention. This condition indicates that a cyst has formed, which must be removed immediately.

Sharp pain in the lower left abdomen

Acute pain in the lower left abdomen is a consequence of the development of many diseases. Moreover, it is simply impossible to identify which one we are talking about based on this symptom alone. First of all, you should determine the source of the pain, and then, based on this, try to figure out what the cause is. It is necessary to be able to distinguish pain during menstruation from pain in other cases. Sometimes in the middle of the cycle, pain in the lower abdomen on the left occurs and this is normal. Therefore, in this case, there is nothing to worry about. In all other cases, you need to think about what is happening. If acute pain occurs along with bleeding, then most likely these are problems with the genitourinary system. It is quite possible that there is inflammation there, which must be dealt with quickly. But sometimes the gastrointestinal tract behaves in a similar way. If a state of shock is observed, which is accompanied by fainting, then most likely the problem is precisely this. In this case, you need to immediately call an ambulance. After all, the consequences can be aggravating. If chills are also observed, then most likely these are problems with the pelvic organs.

trusted-source[ 6 ]

Dull pain in the lower abdomen on the left

A dull pain in the lower abdomen on the left is a consequence of problems with the pancreas, intestines, gall bladder and genitourinary system. Here everything depends on additional symptoms and the duration of pain. So, if painful sensations occur, one can judge that we are talking about problems with the intestines. Most likely, there is a place for irritable bowel syndrome. This phenomenon is quite insidious. It can arise and then disappear without a trace after a while, and then with renewed vigor begin to torment a person. Therefore, it is recommended that if pain of varying intensity appears, immediately seek help at the hospital. In general, it should be understood that such pain sometimes indicates pregnancy. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to make a diagnosis on your own. Only doctors should do this. After all, it is quite easy to harm your own body. Therefore, it is still recommended to immediately go to the hospital. After all, in the early stages, in many cases this can be avoided.

trusted-source[ 7 ], [ 8 ]

Cutting pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Cutting pain in the lower abdomen on the left often occurs due to various intestinal pathologies. The main thing is to determine how often this sensation manifests itself in order to understand whether everything is so terrible. Basically, such pain characterizes intestinal obstruction. Moreover, this is manifested not only in the presence of pain, but also in the absence of stool. If we are talking about a diverticulum, then a feverish state is added to everything that is happening. In general, it is impossible to determine “by eye” what is happening. Only an experienced doctor can do this, and then he will only make a preliminary diagnosis. It is always necessary to take a number of tests to find out exactly what is happening to a person. Sometimes pain in the lower abdomen on the left indicates inflammation of the appendages. But at the same time, a sharp increase in temperature is also observed. If such a phenomenon occurs, you need to immediately call a doctor, because who knows what it could be. There is no need to risk your health, definitely.

trusted-source[ 9 ], [ 10 ]

Cramping pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Cramping pains in the lower abdomen on the left in women are associated with either pregnancy or gynecology. The same cannot be said about men. After all, the pain they experience can be of any nature. Starting from prostatitis and ending with the gastrointestinal tract. If a woman experiences cramping pain, most likely it is worth checking the pelvic organs. Most likely, the infection is hidden somewhere in the genitourinary system. If you do not start fighting it in time, then quite serious problems can arise. When pain in the lower abdomen on the left is accompanied by vomiting and fever, then you definitely need to call a doctor. After all, this can be either inflammation of the cyst or appendicitis. Sometimes this phenomenon indicates an ectopic pregnancy. This is very serious! Therefore, you should never postpone a visit to the doctor. After all, all this can end in death. Sometimes such pain indicates problems in the large intestine. In this case, you just need to exclude irritating components from food. If there is no relief, you need to seek help at the hospital.

trusted-source[ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Throbbing pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Throbbing pain in the lower abdomen on the left is caused by problems with the intestines. In some cases, this may indicate inflammation of the appendages. If we focus directly on problems with the intestines, then most likely we are talking about colitis. Such pain in the lower abdomen on the left sometimes indicates intestinal obstruction. In this case, you need to seek help from a doctor. If the pain appears directly on the left, then this may indicate intestinal cancer. Sometimes pain is a harbinger of cyst inflammation. If a similar situation occurs in a man, then it is also worth relying on intestinal problems. Only the attending physician can make an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes such pain in women can signal a rupture of the fallopian tube. In this case, you need to immediately call an ambulance. This phenomenon occurs with an ectopic pregnancy. In any case, you cannot delay calling an ambulance, this can end very badly.

Periodic pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Periodic pain in the lower abdomen on the left is caused by the same problems in the intestines or genitourinary tract. In principle, there can be nothing else. After all, this part of the abdomen is responsible only for the pain of these organs. Naturally, such pain can be hidden. Simply put, something more serious can be hidden behind it. But this does not happen in all cases. Naturally, you should not guess, you need to immediately seek help from a specialist. Sometimes even arthritis manifests itself in this way. But often the problem lies precisely in problems with the intestines. It is characterized by pain in the lower abdomen on the left, which disappears and after a while appears again. In this case, it is necessary to prescribe competent treatment. Otherwise, the situation can worsen. Sometimes appendicitis manifests itself in this way. It can hurt a little and then return with renewed vigor. Only the second time it will already be peritonitis, which must be dealt with immediately.

Constant pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Constant pain in the lower abdomen on the left indicates the presence of diseases or some pathologies. In any case, only an experienced doctor can figure this out. There is a type of pain that gradually increases or subsides, but does not go away at all. Most likely, in this case, there are problems with the genitourinary system. There is even such a thing as chronic pelvic disease syndrome. It is quite difficult to cope with them, you can only maintain the general condition of the body and nothing more. This can only be determined after a full examination and passing certain tests. What is most interesting is that this can also occur due to stressful situations. Sometimes these can also be benign and malignant tumors. Sometimes pain is provoked even by ordinary constipation. It is quite easy to get rid of this, you need to change your diet. In general, in any case, you should seek help from a doctor.

trusted-source[ 13 ]

Stabbing pain in the lower abdomen on the left

A stabbing pain in the lower abdomen on the left is a symptom of intestinal obstruction or irritation. In both cases, you need to see a doctor. After all, the first symptom is not so serious, but still requires the intervention of an experienced doctor. If you do not start fighting it in time, serious problems may arise. First of all, it is recommended to change your diet and follow the treatment prescribed by the doctor. In the second case, you should also review the food you eat. After all, it is quite possible that it is what causes this condition. Therefore, it is better to refuse sufficiently sour and salty foods. In some cases, this symptom indicates problems with the genitourinary system. This can be either banal hypothermia or a serious infection. This phenomenon is fraught with consequences for women. If all this is accompanied by additional symptoms, such as fever and vomiting, you should immediately call a doctor.

trusted-source[ 14 ]

Diagnosis of pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Diagnosis of lower abdominal pain on the left is made with the help of certain tests and examinations. Of course, there are symptoms by which it is quite easy to determine the disease. But such a diagnosis is not always correct. Still, you can’t do without a good examination. What tests to take is determined by the doctor. After all, he can approximately determine the cause of such a phenomenon.

The first thing to do is to give blood and urine. The results of these tests determine the further course. After all, pain in the lower abdomen on the left is a rather vague symptom that can hide many unpleasant phenomena. It is also necessary to do an ultrasound to exclude all sorts of neoplasms. Only after this is high-quality treatment prescribed. Diagnostics directly depends on the main symptom and accompanying phenomena. In addition, many patients are prescribed a standard examination directly. But only in the case when appendicitis is completely excluded.

trusted-source[ 15 ]

Treatment of lower abdominal pain on the left

Treatment of lower abdominal pain on the left is prescribed only by a doctor. After all, first you need to determine the cause of the pain. They can be varied and not interconnected.

If we talk about intestinal obstruction separately, then in this case the diet changes completely, and medication is prescribed. Irritable bowel syndrome is dealt with in a similar way. However, here you can do without medications, it is quite enough to simply limit the consumption of certain foods.

If we are talking about appendicitis, then it must be removed immediately and a few days of bed rest with a certain diet. You can't do without medication either. With a cyst, surgical intervention is also required. After which drug treatment is prescribed. Everything directly depends on the nature of the pain. After all, it is impossible to speak about this in general terms. All this is determined by the attending physician, after examination and testing.

Prevention of pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Prevention of lower abdominal pain on the left depends on many factors. So, to avoid pain in the pancreas, you should not overexert yourself, do not abuse fatty and spicy foods. The same can be said about irritable bowel syndrome. In this case, it is better to refuse sour, spicy and fatty foods. These recommendations can also be obtained from a doctor. To prevent pain in the genitourinary system, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene. After all, this environment is the most favorable for viruses. In general, if any symptoms appear, you should immediately seek help from a doctor. After all, if you do not pay attention to all this, you can worsen the situation several times. If we are talking about preventing cysts, then in this case it is also necessary to adhere to several basic rules. They are certainly related to the rules of personal hygiene. In general, it is necessary to monitor your health. In order for lower abdominal pain on the left never to occur, you should simply pay more attention to your own health.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.