Pain in the lower left abdomen can be due to common conditions like gas and constipation, or it can be the symptom of a more serious illness. Please continue reading to find out what can cause abdominal pain in the lower left part of the abdomen (below and to the left of your belly button).

What organ is in my lower left abdomen?

The organs present in the lower left abdomen include a part of the small intestine, parts of the large intestine (colon), the ureter of the left kidney, organs of the female reproductive system such as the left ovary and the iliac fossa (a part of the hip bone in the pelvis).

What does pain in the left lower abdomen mean?

Pain in the left lower abdomen can mean many different things, such as:

Gas

Excess gas in the digestive tract can cause bloating, distension, left abdominal pain, cramps, and a knotted feeling in the left lower abdomen. While gas can be inconvenient and embarrassing, it is rarely a sign of a serious medical problem.

Constipation

Constipation can cause tightness and a cramping or sharp pain in the left lower abdomen. This is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as less than three bowel movements per week, lumpy or hard stools, and straining to pass stool.

Menstrual cramps

Menstruation can cause cramping, throbbing, or a sharp pain in the left lower abdomen. It can also be a dull, continuous ache. The pain usually starts 1-3 days before you get your period, peaks 24 hours after you start bleeding, and goes away in 2-3 days. You may also have ovulation pain in the left lower quadrant around mid-cycle.

Infections and inflammation

Infections of the digestive tract, for example, the small intestine (enteritis) or large intestine (colitis), can cause pain in the lower left abdomen. The stomach pain may be accompanied by fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, body aches, and sometimes, blood in the stool.

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis 

These are conditions of the digestive system in which small pockets (diverticula) develop in the lining of the colon (large intestine), which may become infected. Symptoms can include lower abdominal pain, especially on the left side, bloating, fever, and diarrhea.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome can cause pain in the lower left abdomen accompanied by stomach cramps, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation).

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) can cause symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen, gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

Intestinal blockage

If something blocks the small or large intestine, for example, scar tissue or a tumor, it can cause lower left abdomen pain, cramping, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and a loss of appetite. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical care. A bowel obstruction can result in serious complications, such as bowel rupture, without timely treatment. 

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the fertilized egg attaches outside the uterine cavity. Symptoms can include light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain, which can feel like left lower quadrant pain. If there is leakage of blood from the ectopic pregnancy, the internal bleeding can irritate nerves, causing symptoms such as shoulder pain or the urge to have a bowel movement. Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency. You should seek medical attention without delay if you have a positive pregnancy test and any of the above-mentioned symptoms. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a condition in which many fluid-filled sacs called cysts develop in the ovaries. The ovarian cysts can cause pelvic pain, which can feel similar to lower left quadrant pain. They can also cause cramps during menstruation, irregular periods, abnormal hair growth, darkening of the skin, acne, obesity, skin tags, and infertility.

Endometriosis 

In women with endometriosis, uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Symptoms include severe left lower or middle pain during menstrual periods that can be sharp, stabbing, throbbing, or gnawing in character.

Ovarian torsion

This is a condition in which the ovary becomes twisted on its supporting tissues, leading to a lack of blood flow and causing pain in the pelvis. Other symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. The pelvic pain is of sudden onset and can be felt as a stomach ache in the left lower quadrant if the left ovary is involved. This condition requires immediate medical attention.

Ureteral obstruction

The ureters are a pair of tubes in the urinary tract, one on each side, that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. An obstruction of the left ureter can cause lower left quadrant pain. This may be accompanied by other symptoms such as reduced urine output, difficulty urinating, and blood in the urine.

Inguinal hernia

A hernia occurs when tissues, for example, parts of the intestine, push through a weak area in the abdominal wall, resulting in a bulge. Symptoms of an inguinal hernia may include groin pain that is typically worse with coughing, bending over, or lifting something. Other symptoms include sensations of weakness, pressure, burning, or aching and a visible bulge on the side of the pubic bone. 

Referred pain

Sometimes, pain present somewhere else in the body can travel to the lower left abdomen through nerves. For example, one can experience referred pain in the left lower abdomen from the testicles, pelvic organs, or kidney stones in the left kidney.

Osteoarthritis of the hip

Osteoarthritis in the left hip can cause pain in the groin region, which may spread to the buttock, front of the thigh, and left lower abdomen. The pain is typically worse with activities. 

Colon or rectal cancer

Abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, and distention can be symptoms of rectal or colon cancer. You should seek medical attention if left abdominal pain is accompanied by changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, or unexplained weight loss.

What is the treatment for lower abdominal pain?

Treatment for lower left quadrant abdominal pain depends on the underlying cause. For example, if you experience abdominal pain due to constipation, it could be from a low-fiber diet, and your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle modifications such as a high-fiber diet to manage symptoms. 

On the other hand, if you feel pain in the lower left abdominal cavity that is severe or accompanied by other symptoms, it could be something more serious that needs to be treated with medications or surgery.

Your primary healthcare provider or a specialist in digestive and kidney diseases will make a diagnosis based on your history, symptoms, physical exam, and test results and recommend the appropriate treatment. 

Should I go to the ER for lower left abdominal pain?

Some causes of lower left abdominal pain are serious, and some are not. It can be hard to tell what’s going on from your symptoms alone. You should go to the emergency room if you have severe abdominal pain, worsening pain, or persistent pain that does not get better with over-the-counter pain relievers. It is also important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider if your left lower abdominal pain is not severe but is a chronic pain that has been present for a while.

When should I worry about lower left-side pain?

You should worry about lower left side pain if it is a sudden, sharp, or severe pain that does not improve in 24-48 hours or a left abdominal pain that is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, rectal bleeding, or unexplained weight loss. Most of the conditions that can cause lower left abdominal pain are treatable if you seek timely medical care.

References:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24530-lower-abdominal-pain