A burning sensation in the lower abdomen may stem from a urological, digestive, gynecological, or reproductive problem, such as kidney stones, a ruptured cyst, or endometriosis.
Causes of a burning sensation in the lower abdomen may include kidney stones, certain gynecological conditions, and cancer.
People should note that a burning sensation in the lower abdomen is not common. It is more common in the upper abdomen, where the pain is usually associated with Gastroesophageal reflux disease or peptic ulcer disease.
A burning sensation in the lower abdomen may occur with urination, due to a urinary tract infection (UTI). However, a UTI may not present with any abdominal pain.
For females, there are multiple gynecological conditions associated with lower abdominal pain that might feel similar to burning. People should talk with a doctor about their symptoms for a proper diagnosis.
This article lists the possible causes of a burning sensation in the lower abdomen, including any associated symptoms and how to treat them.
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. Click here to learn more.
Different gynecological conditions can cause pain in the lower abdomen that might feel like a burning sensation. These conditions may include:
- A ruptured cyst: During ovulation, a fluid-filled sac, or cyst, may form on an ovary.
Most are benign, but they can rupture and require intervention. - Painful menstruation: Dysmenorrhea refers to pain during menstruation without a disease of the pelvis. However, sometimes other conditions can cause painful periods.
- Endometriosis: This is a chronic condition of the female reproductive system in which the tissue that lines the uterus
grows in other parts of the abdomen. - Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): In PID, infection
causes inflammation of the female reproductive organs.
Symptoms
The following table lists some of the symptoms associated with ruptured cysts, painful menstruation, and endometriosis.
| Ruptured cysts | Painful menstruation | Endometriosis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptoms | sudden pelvic pain blood loss or hemorrhage nausea vomiting | lower abdominal or pelvic pain pain radiating to the back or legs headache diarrhea fatigue nausea or vomiting | lower abdominal pain and cramps painful periods pain or burning during sex painful bowel movements exhaustion |
Treatment will depend on the gynecological condition present. The following table lists some treatment options for causes of a burning sensation in the lower abdomen.
Treatment
| Ruptured cysts | Painful menstruation | Endometriosis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatments | surgery pain relief medications hormone therapy | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) hormone therapy | hormone therapy pain relief medications surgery |
People develop kidney stones when a crystal, usually comprising calcium, travels from the kidney through the urinary tract. Kidney stones do not always cause problems and health complications, but some can get stuck and lead to medical issues.
Some
- a personal history of kidney stones
- a family history of kidney stones
- increased absorption of oxalate through the intestine
- UTIs
- low fluid intake
- a history of diabetes, obesity, gout, or hypertension
- acidic urine
Symptoms
People with kidney stones may not experience any symptoms. The most
Other symptoms may include:
- nausea or vomiting due to pain
- blood in urine
- burning during urination
Treatment
Doctors
Tamsulosin (Flomax) is a drug that helps people pass kidney stones; it reduces the stimulation of the smooth muscle in the urethra.
If a doctor finds a kidney stone that is 6 millimeters or larger, they may need to intervene to manually remove it from the urinary tract.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections of the urinary bladder.
The most common bacteria that cause UTIs include:
- Escherichia coli
- Proteus mirabilis
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus
Symptoms
People with a UTI may experience:
- painful urination or a burning sensation while urinating
- frequent urination
- pain or tenderness below the belly button
- blood in the urine
People who are very young or old may experience subtle or unusual symptoms. For example, older adults with a UTI may present with confusion or an altered mental state.
The symptoms of a complicated UTI are usually similar to those of an uncomplicated UTI.
Treatment
Doctors treat UTIs with antibiotics. To select the most appropriate antibiotic to treat the infection, the doctor will consider the person’s risk factors for infection with a pathogen that is resistant to multiple drugs.
People with a low risk may receive a
- nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
- fosfomycin (Monurol)
Appendicitis occurs when a person’s appendix becomes inflamed or swollen. An obstruction blocking the entrance to the appendix
It is most common in people ages 5–45.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain due to appendicitis may start as general stomach pain and travel to the lower right side. It may feel worse when the person presses on the area. Coughing and walking may also worsen the pain.
Other symptoms of appendicitis may include:
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- diarrhea
- constipation
Treatment
Appendicitis requires immediate medical attention.
Treatment
Doctors may also need to administer antibiotics and intravenous hydration.
As most people age, they develop diverticula, which are small bulges or pouches in the colon or intestinal wall. Diverticulitis occurs when these bulges become inflamed.
Diverticulitis affects
Symptoms
Diverticulitis
Other symptoms may include:
- diarrhea or constipation
- nausea and vomiting
- fever
- burning during urination
Treatment
Healthcare professionals will typically treat diverticulitis with antibiotics and certain pain relief medication.
However, they may warn a person against taking NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil), as this could increase the risk of bowel perforation and other stomach problems.
They may also recommend dietary changes, such as boosting fiber intake and consuming a balanced diet.
Colitis occurs due to inflammation of the colon’s lining. There are
- infection
- Crohn’s disease
- ulcerative colitis
- ischemia, restricted blood flow
Symptoms
As well as lower abdominal pain or burning, colitis may cause:
- fever
- diarrhea
- blood in the stool
Treatment
Treatment for colitis may depend on the underlying cause. In people with an infection, doctors may prescribe antibiotics.
Other treatment options
- mesalamine
- immunomodulators
- biological therapies
- corticosteroids
- surgery
- intravenous fluids
- not eating
Certain cancers of the digestive, urological, and gynecological tracts may present with pain in the lower abdomen.
Depending on the type of cancer, people may experience different symptoms. Some cancers do not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
Although cancer is
Symptoms
The following table lists some warning signs and symptoms of urological, digestive, and gynecological cancers.
| Cancer of the digestive tract | Cancer of the urological tract | Cancer of the gynecological tract | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptoms | vomiting blood black and tarry stool red stool with visible blood fatigue and weakness abdominal pain abdominal swelling or mass nausea vomiting loss of appetite weight loss | blood in the urine urinary retention difficulty or pain when urinating | unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge irregular periods pelvic pressure or pain frequent urination constipation bloating abdominal or back pain itching, burning, pain, or tenderness of the vulva a change in the color of the skin around the vulva |
Treatment
Different types of cancer require different treatments. These may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Surgery aims to remove the cancer tissue, whereas chemotherapy and radiation therapy use medications or high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Doctors may select a treatment based on the cancer’s location and stage. Sometimes, people may require a combination of treatments.
People with digestive cancers
People who experience a burning sensation in the lower abdomen may have a digestive, gynecological, or urological condition.
By investigating the other associated symptoms and the person’s medical history, doctors can diagnose a burning sensation in the lower abdomen and choose the most appropriate treatment.
A doctor may also consider other abdominal conditions, especially in older adults. These may include cancers of the gastrointestinal, gynecological, or urological systems.
Be sure to contact a doctor for a complete evaluation to determine the correct diagnosis and receive the appropriate treatment.