Causes of Lower Left Abdominal Pain

Medically reviewed by Jordana Haber Hazan, MD

Lower left abdominal pain can be caused by a wide variety of conditions that affect the organs and structures in that area, which contains parts of the digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive organs.

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.

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) or chronic (lasting more than six months). Lower left abdominal pain can feel different depending on what's causing the discomfort. The pain can be:

• Sharp

• Stabbing

• Dull

• Deep

• Superficial

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 include digestive, urological, gynecologic, infectious, and structural conditions, including:

• Hernia

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Left-sided kidney stones

• Endometriosis

• Shingles
  

Related: 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:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A functional gastrointestinal disorder, IBS results in abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea.

• Colitis: Infections, immunotherapy treatment for cancer, and food allergies can cause the colon to become inflamed and painful.

• Ischemic colitis: This condition interrupts blood flow to the large intestine. A lack of blood flow can cause the bowel tissue to die, which is a painful medical emergency.

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis are chronic disorders that cause bowel changes and pain.

• Diverticulitis: This large intestine condition results in painful, inflamed, and/or infected intestinal pockets or pouches.

• Colon cancer: A tumor in the colon can cause intestinal blockage, constipation, diarrhea, and pain.

In addition to lower left abdominal pain, these conditions can cause bowel changes, indigestion, gas, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.

Learn More: What Does Colon Pain Feel Like?

Urological Conditions

The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder. Certain disorders of the urinary tract can cause lower left abdominal pain, including:

• Left-sided kidney stones: Kidney stones try to exit through the ureter, urethra, and bladder. Pain and discomfort can be felt in the back and lower left abdomen.

• Kidney or bladder infection: These conditions can lead to irritation, inflammation, and pain.

• Left ureter malfunction: A blockage of the left ureter can decrease the ability for urine to pass from the kidney to the bladder, resulting in pain.

• Cancer of the urinary tract: A tumor in any part of the urinary tract can grow over time, causing urological dysfunction and pain.

If you are experiencing lower left abdominal pain, decreased urine output, and hematuria (blood in the urine), you should be evaluated by your healthcare provider immediately.

Learn More: Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

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:

• Ectopic pregnancy: When a fertilized egg grows in a fallopian tube, it can rupture, causing severe abdominal pain, shoulder pain, and bleeding.

• Endometriosis: Swelling, bleeding, and pain can happen if uterine lining cells travel outside the uterus and begin growing on other organs, like the left ovary.

• Left ovarian cyst: These fluid-filled sacs in or on the ovary can become very large, painful, and even rupture. There's also a risk of an ovarian torsion, as well.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease: Inflammation and irritation of reproductive organs can be caused by an untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI).

• Cancer of the reproductive system: A growing tumor within the uterus, fallopian tube, or ovary can cause pain that radiates to the lower left abdomen.
  

Read Next: The Importance of Health Screenings As You Age

Infection

Abdominal pain accompanied by blisters or a red, scaly skin rash located only on the left abdomen could be shingles, a viral infection affecting the nerves, causing intense pain. You may also experience fever, chills, nausea, and headache. You may need specific medication to reduce nerve pain. If you are 50 or older, you can be vaccinated against the virus.

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.

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:

• Blood in your urine

• Blood in your stool

• Unexplained weight loss

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

Symptoms requiring emergency medical attention include abdominal pain accompanied by:

• Fever

• Shaking chills

• Chest pain

• Change in mental status (such as confusion)

• Pain that is severe, progressive, or persistent

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.

• Physical exam: Your healthcare provider will also review your family history.

• Bloodwork: Blood tests can provide clues to a possible diagnosis.

• Imaging: Computerized tomography scan (CT scan), ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and colonoscopy are just a few tests that can help identify specific medical conditions.

• Surgery: An abdominal laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to visualize internal organs and structures.

• Biopsy: Certain conditions require a biopsy to make a diagnosis. A piece of tissue from the affected organ or tissue is removed from the body and examined by a pathologist.

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:

• Apply a heating pad to the area.

• Place an ice pack on the area.

• Take a warm bath or shower.

• Lay or sit in a comfortable position supported by pillows.

• Drink warm herbal tea.

• Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs).

• Eliminate gas-producing or acidic foods from your diet.

Related: What You Should Know About Abdominal Pain

Summary

Lower left abdominal pain can be caused by several medical conditions that affect the organs in this area, such as parts of the digestive system, urinary system, and the female reproductive system. Underlying causes can sometimes be serious, so early detection is essential to diagnosing and treating the reason for pain in this area.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.