Key takeaways

  • Lower left abdominal pain can result from several conditions, ranging from gas and constipation to diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hernias, kidney stones, or intestinal obstruction.
  • Common causes include diverticulitis (infected pouches in the intestinal wall), celiac disease, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and, in females, ectopic pregnancy or endometriosis.
  • Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include dietary changes, medications, rest, or surgery. Talk with a healthcare professional about persistent, severe, or worsening abdominal pain.

People experiencing persistent or chronic pain in the lower abdomen should seek medical attention. Sudden onset of severe pain in the lower left abdomen may require immediate medical care.

This article discusses possible causes of lower left abdominal pain, treatments, and when to contact a doctor.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Learn more.

There are several possible causes of lower left abdomen pain. Some causes are more common and benign, while others can be serious and require medical attention. Often, a person might use the term stomach pain interchangeably with abdominal pain, but pain in the abdomen can come from other organs besides the stomach.

Diverticulitis can cause lower left abdominal pain. Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula, which are small pouches in the intestinal wall, become infected and inflamed.

Lower left abdominal pain caused by diverticulitis may feel sudden and severe, but can also start mild and worsen over several days. Other symptoms include:

Diverticulitis can cause serious complications without treatment, so people should consult a doctor if they have any of the above symptoms.

Common digestive issues that may temporarily cause pain the lower left side of the abdomen can include:

These can usually resolve at home without using treatment or with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is a chronic condition that occurs in the digestive tract when a person cannot digest gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and is present in several foods and healthcare products.

When a person has celiac disease, eating gluten triggers their immune system to attack portions of the intestine, causing various digestive issues. Without treatment, celiac disease can cause long-term damage to the small intestine.

Symptoms of celiac disease may include:

A person should speak with a doctor if they think they may have celiac disease. If they receive a diagnosis, a person will need to avoid gluten to prevent symptoms.

Lactose intolerance

A person who is lactose intolerant has difficulty digesting milk and milk-based products, such as cheese and yogurt. This is because they lack sufficient amounts of an enzyme called lactase. Lactase breaks down the lactose in milk, which consists of the simple sugars glucose and galactose.

People with lactose intolerance are unable to digest all the lactose from food and drink. Unabsorbed lactose passes into the colon, where bacteria break it down to create gas and fluid. This increase in fluid and gas can cause symptoms such as:

  • pain in the abdomen
  • loose stool or diarrhea
  • bloating
  • gas
  • nausea

Inflammatory bowel disease

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic conditions that can cause painful inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract. The umbrella term for both conditions is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Ulcerative colitis occurs in the large intestine, and Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere along the GI tract.

There is no clear cause of IBD, but it occurs due to an autoimmune disorder where the immune system is overreactive and starts to attack the digestive tract, among other parts of the body. Genetics and environmental factors may also play a role.

Pain in the abdomen is a typical symptom of IBD.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Symptoms may include:

The exact causes of IBS are not known, but several factors may cause it, including:

  • abnormal nerve and muscle responses (gut-brain connection)
  • changes in the gut bacteria (microbiome) due to infections or antibiotics
  • genetics
  • early life stressors

Stress and anxiety may worsen the condition, so relaxation and regular exercise can help. People may also with dietary changes, increasing soluble fiber intake, and avoiding foods that trigger symptoms.

The same virus that causes chickenpox causes shingles. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in the body for the rest of their life. Sometimes, the virus can reactivate, causing pain and a rash that may wrap around one side of the body.

Doctors usually prescribe antiviral medications for shingles, such as valacyclovir and acyclovir. Additionally, oatmeal baths or cool cloths for the skin may help ease discomfort.

Vaccines are available to help reduce the risk of a person developing shingles later in life.

A hernia occurs when an organ or other body tissue pushes through the abdominal wall. A bulge may appear in the midsection or near the groin.

Different types of hernias can occur, and they vary according to the underlying cause. If people have symptoms of a hernia, they will need to contact a doctor to determine the type of hernia and the treatment they may require.

Symptoms of a hernia can include:

  • a bulge in the abdomen or groin
  • pain or aching in the hernia area
  • pressure at the site of the hernia
  • increasing discomfort when straining the abdomen

Inguinal hernia

An inguinal hernia usually occurs in the groin area. They are more common in males but can also affect females.

Inguinal hernias can cause complications without treatment, so it is important to consult a doctor for a diagnosis as soon as possible. People will usually need surgery to repair an inguinal hernia.

Abdominal pain is a typical symptom of kidney stones. These mostly occur due to calcium buildup and can form in either the right or left kidney.

A person may not realize they have a kidney stone until it causes issues, such as blocking part of the kidney or causing severe pain as it passes.

Learn more about the symptoms of kidney stones.

When a blockage occurs in the intestine, food and liquid cannot pass through the digestive tract. This results in an obstruction that needs immediate medical attention. Hernias and medical conditions affecting the intestines can lead to intestinal obstruction.

People with conditions such as IBD or colon cancer, or who have had abdominal surgery, may be more at risk of intestinal obstruction.

A person will need to seek emergency medical care straight away if they have these symptoms of intestinal obstruction:

  • severe abdominal pain
  • inability to pass stool
  • swollen abdomen
  • vomiting
  • loud noises from the stomach

An ectopic pregnancy can occur if a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. As the pregnancy progresses, this can cause the fallopian tube to burst, which can be life threatening.

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include:

These symptoms can develop into severe abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder pain, and dizziness. Ectopic pregnancy is an emergency, and people will require immediate medical attention.

Endometriosis is a common condition that can affect females. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other areas. Endometriosis may occur due to menstrual and hormonal issues, genetic factors, or problems with the immune system.

The main symptom of endometriosis is pain, which can include menstrual cramps, pain in the abdomen, and pain in the lower back and pelvis.

Hormone treatments, and in severe cases, surgery, can help manage endometriosis symptoms.

To diagnose persistent or severe abdominal pain, a doctor can use various techniques to explore the possible causes and identify a course of treatment. These include:

Identifying certain abdominal issues may require repeat visits and close follow-ups.

Once a doctor makes a diagnosis, they may refer the individual to a specialist who will be able to provide more focused care.

People should speak with a doctor about any abdominal pain that is persistent or severe, or if they have concerns about any symptoms. People will also need to consult a doctor if they have:

  • blood in stools
  • persistent diarrhea, constipation, or a change in bowel movements
  • unexplained weight loss

A doctor will need to examine chronic or persistent pain to determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan.

Below are some commonly asked questions about lower left abdominal pain:

The abdomen contains organs necessary for digestion. More specifically, the lower left abdomen typically includes parts of the large intestine (colon), the left ureter (tube that connects the left kidney to the bladder), and for those born female, the left ovary and fallopian tube.

Lower left abdominal pain does not always indicate anything serious. However, if the pain is severe and accompanied by other symptoms, it may require immediate medical care.

There are several possible causes of sharp pain in the lower abdomen, including diverticulitis, ectopic pregnancy, a kidney stone, gas, and IBS.

Digestive conditions such as IBS, IBD, Celiac disease, kidney stones, an ectopic pregnancy, or endometriosis could cause lower left abdominal pain in females.

Below are some commonly asked questions about lower left abdominal pain:

People may experience lower left abdominal pain for various reasons. Some causes can be temporary, but the pain may be a sign of a chronic condition in other cases. People should speak with a doctor about any persistent or severe symptoms.

Treatments will depend on the underlying cause but may include lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.