Understanding Hip Flexor Pain Symptoms & Stretching Exercises That Can Help

To avoid hip flexor pain, you should pay more attention to these muscles, Dr. Siegrist explains. When you are seated, your knees are bent and your hip muscles are flexed and often tighten up or become shortened. “Because we spend so much of our time in a seated position with the hip flexed, the hip flexor has the potential to shorten up. Then, when you are in a hurry because you are running to catch a bus or a plane, or you trip and fall, the muscle could become stretched. Here’s this stiff, brittle muscle that all of a sudden gets extended, and you could set yourself up for strain or some hip flexor pain.”

You may hear a clicking noise when you move your hip, but that sound is not necessarily a hip flexor issue. Siegrist says the clicking isn’t generally the hip flexor alone and often comes from a moving part, like the joint. “Maybe there is a loose body in the joint or loose cartilage at the edge of the hip joint that is mechanically getting irritated,” she says.

To minimize strain on the muscles around the hip and avoid hip flexor pain, always be sure to stretch properly before doing any kind of exercising, even walking. It’s better to stretch muscles slowly and hold the position rather than rush through the stretches too quickly — remember, quality over quantity.

Simple hip-strengthening exercises performed on a regular basis can help prevent hip flexor pain. Many strengthening exercises said to target the abdominal muscles will also help strengthen hip flexor muscles so you can avoid tight hip flexors.

Understanding Your Pain Prescription

Hip Flexor Pain: Stretching Exercises Can Help

Here are two easy stretching exercises, safe for any age, from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to help you avoid hip flexor pain.

• Sit up straight in a chair, hold onto the sides to maintain balance, and stretch out your leg so it’s parallel to the floor (the other leg firmly planted on the floor). Raise your extended leg waist high. Then lower your leg and return to the starting position. Perform this exercise about 15 times and then repeat with your other leg.
• While standing, raise one of your knees to your chest (or as high as possible), as if you were marching in place. Slowly bring your leg down and return to the starting position. Repeat this exercise about five times and then try it with your other knee.

You can also reduce your risk of hip flexor pain if you:

• Avoid sitting for long periods — be sure to get up and stretch your legs every hour.
• Always warm up before you exercise. If you warm up by stretching, you will be able to exercise more effectively.
• Stay conditioned by regularly doing exercises that improve muscle strength and flexibility.

If you take the time to warm up, stretch, and stay flexible, you should be able to avoid hip flexor pain.

How Hip Pain Affects Your Body

Your hips — the ball-and-socket joints formed by the pelvic bone and the end of the femur bone — are pretty strong, and it takes a good deal of force to injure them. However, if you have hip pain, it may cause you to feel pain elsewhere in the body. Patients who have hip pain may also complain of hip and knee pain, hip and leg pain, or hip and shoulder pain.

“Where’s your center of gravity? It’s really close to the hip,” says Stephanie Siegrist, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Rochester, N.Y. “So if you’re limping because your hip hurts, you also could have hip and knee pain or hip and leg pain or hip and back pain.”

How to Manage Pain on the Job

How Hip Pain Affects Your Whole Body

Shakira might have gotten it wrong with her song, “Hips Don’t Lie.” A hip problem can disguise itself as knee, leg, or shoulder pain. Your hips can throw you off course in the hunt to solve where your pain is originating.

• Hip and knee pain. Sometimes patients complain of knee pain, but it’s really their hips that are the cause, Dr. Siegrist says. “One of the nerves that serves the hip also serves the knee, so it’s pretty common, especially in children who complain of knee pain, to find that the source of the pain is not the knee but the hip. ” The pain from the hip often can be referred to the knee. That’s why it’s important to properly diagnose the problem so that you can treat the source of the pain, says Marc Philippon, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Vail, Colo. It’s also possible that patients who have arthritis of the hip also have arthritis of the knee — a reason why they experience hip and knee pain at the same time, Siegrist says. “The same problem is occurring simultaneously in two locations.”
• Hip and leg pain. Just as hip and knee pain are connected, hips can cause pain in the thigh or leg. Siegrist says your mobility in the hip is limited because it’s stiff or you have arthritis. The pain causes you to limp, which in turn causes you to strain your calf muscles. “Sometimes hip pain will be associated with lower back pain,” Philippon says. “That will cause referral down the leg, and you will have hip and leg pain.” Herniated disks (spinal disks that press on the nerves) and sciatica (pain or weakness involving the sciatic nerve in the lower back) are the most common back and spine problems that refer pain to the hip region.
• Hip and shoulder pain. Golfers who have hip pain may find their shoulders hurt as well. The persistent pain in their hips causes them to decrease their rotation when they swing, putting stress on their opposite shoulders. “I have a lot of golfers who require surgery on their right hip and their left shoulder,” Philippon says. It’s also possible that some people have bursitis (inflammation of the cushioning around the joints), osteoarthritis, or tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) in both places, so they can experience hip and shoulder pain at the same time.

Seek Treatment if Pain Persists

If you have persistent hip and knee pain, hip and leg pain, or hip and shoulder pain, see your doctor. Treatment depends on the cause of the pain, so it is important that it be diagnosed correctly.

8 Alternative Treatments for Pain Management

“Often if you correct the hip, you will decrease the stress in the other joints and consequently alleviate the problem,” Philippon says. “Sometimes I treat the hip pain first and the other joints second, if necessary.” Many times, problems that start in the hip and trigger pain in other parts of the body can be fixed with physical therapy and exercise.

What Is Endometriosis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

If you suspect you have endometriosis, it’s critical that you find an endometriosis specialist. Ask around. If you don’t know anyone living with the condition, look for referrals from other women with endometriosis in online forums or patient support groups such as those at Endometriosis.org and Endo-resolved.

Learn More About How to Find an Endometriosis Specialist

Among other factors, appropriate treatments depend on age, the severity of symptoms, and if or when pregnancy may be desired. Don’t delay talking to your doctor about pelvic or lower abdominal pain or bad periods. You don’t have to endure these symptoms, and getting treated can help improve your overall health and quality of life.

Medication Options

While the disease cannot be totally eradicated, medication is typically the first option for reducing symptoms. Medication may include the following:

If you have severe pain from endometriosis, or you’re trying to become pregnant, laparoscopic surgery to remove excess tissue may help.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Complementary treatments such as stress management, acupuncture, and diet changes can help alleviate endometriosis symptoms.

• Eating lots of fruits and veggies has been shown to reduce the risk of developing endometriosis.

   Fatty meats, full fat dairy, caffeine, and alcohol can all increase your risk, so limit or avoid these foods.

• Acupuncture can reduce pain from endometriosis and blood levels of CA-125, a protein associated with the disease.

• Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when experiencing pelvic pain, but some research suggests that it can help you manage symptoms and provide pain relief.
• Biofeedback is an alternative therapy that teaches you how to reframe your response to pain. Find a trained practitioner at the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance or the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.
• Studies suggest that herbal extracts such as curcumin, puerarin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and ginsenoside Rg3 may help reduce endometriosis lesions.

  It’s vital that you discuss any herbal supplements with your doctor, to avoid any interactions with other medications you’re taking.

• Marijuana, now legal in many states, has shown the potential to reduce pain, nausea, and vomiting, and to improve sleep.

Learn More About Treatment for Endometriosis: Medication, Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Surgery Options, and More 

Prevention of Endometriosis

Since it’s not clear what exactly causes endometriosis, there’s currently no way to prevent it. High estrogen levels, however, have been consistently associated with endometriosis, and research shows that estrogen stimulates the growth of endometriotic tissue.

Lowering the estrogen levels in your body may help reduce the severity of symptoms. To keep circulating estrogen levels lower, the Office on Women’s Health suggests the following:

• Consider using hormonal birth control such as pills, patches, or rings with lower doses of estrogen.
• Exercise more than four hours a week. Regular exercise and a lower amount of body fat help decrease the amount of estrogen circulating through the body.
• Alcohol raises estrogen levels, so limit yourself to no more than one drink per day
• Avoid drinks with caffeine.

Left Lower Abdominal Pain | Left Lower Quadrant | Causes & Treatment

Where is my left lower quadrant?

The left lower quadrant (LLQ) is a section of your tummy (abdomen). Look down at your tummy (abdomen) and mentally divide the area from the bottom of your ribs down to your pubic hair into four quarters. The quarter on your left side below your belly button (umbilicus) is your LLQ.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436.

By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436.

What is in my left lower quadrant?

Quadrant organs

By Mariana Ruiz Villarreal, modified by Madhero88 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By Mariana Ruiz Villarreal, modified by Madhero88 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

• Small bowel (ileum).
• Parts of your large bowel (colon) – transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon.
• Your rectum.
• Left ureter (at the back of the other organs).
• Left ovary and Fallopian tube.

And don’t forget the skin and nerves of that area.

What are the most common causes of left lower quadrant pain?

The list of causes of left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain is almost endless but the following are some of the more common possibilities. They are not in order of how common they are.

What are the gut problems that can cause left lower quadrant pain?

All sorts of common and uncommon problems to do with your guts can give you pain in this area. For example:

Constipation

• If your guts are full of poo (faeces) this can cause discomfort anywhere in your tummy (abdomen).
• You will normally be aware that you are not opening your bowels as often as usual.
• Your poo will be hard and pellet-like.

See the separate leaflet called Constipation for more information.

Gastroenteritis and food poisoning

• Cause diarrhoea.
• May also make you sick (vomit).
• Pain may be anywhere in the tummy (abdomen).
• Pain may ease for a while each time some diarrhoea is passed.

See the the separate leaflets called Gastroenteritis and Food Poisoning for more information. 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• This is very common.
• It tends to cause crampy tummy (abdominal) pains.
• It often causes bloating.
• It comes and goes and may be associated with diarrhoea and/or constipation.

See the separate leaflet called Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) for more information.

Diverticulitis

• This is an inflammation of a pouch or pouches which people who have diverticular disease have in their guts.
• Diverticulitis in the last part of the large gut (sigmoid colon) is the most common cause of LLQ pain in adults.
• Diverticulitis in other parts of the colon can also cause pain in the LLQ.
• It usually comes with a temperature (fever) and a change in bowel habit (opening your bowels more or less often than usual for you).

See the separate leaflet called Diverticula (including Diverticulosis, Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis) for more information.

Colon cancer and rectal cancer

Severe LLQ pain, bloating and not being able to open your bowels at all, not even to pass wind (flatus), are symptoms that suggest you may have a colon cancer that is blocking your bowel. You should seek urgent medical advice.

• Colon cancer and rectal cancer (sometimes called colorectal cancer) are two of the most common cancers in the UK.
• Although colon cancer can affect any part of the large bowel (colon), it commonly affects the last part (descending colon and sigmoid colon) which is on the left-hand side. Rectal cancer affects the very last part of the large bowel (rectum) just before it ends at the anus.
• There is usually a change in how often you need to open your bowels and you may notice that you have lost weight, without trying.
• You may get a feeling of not fully emptying your bottom (rectum) after opening your bowels.

See the separate leaflet called Colon, Rectal and Bowel Cancer (Colorectal Cancer) for more information.

Trapped inguinal or femoral hernia

• A left inguinal or femoral hernia happens when a piece of bowel or other tissue from inside the tummy pushes through a weakness in the muscles of the tummy (abdominal) wall near the left groin.
• It can happen on either side.
• If whatever has pushed through gets stuck and can’t slide back inside the tummy, it is trapped (incarcerated).
• If it happens on the left-hand side, there will be a tender swelling in the left groin.
• It causes pain in the groin and in the tummy, usually on the side of the hernia but it may cause pain over the whole tummy.
• It is common to be sick (vomit).

See the separate leaflet called Hernia for more information.

What is a common kidney problem that can cause left lower quadrant pain?

Kidney infection

• A kidney infection can cause pain anywhere along your urinary tract. So this could be anywhere from the loin in your back, round the side and down to the LLQ.
• You may notice that it hurts when you pass urine and that you need to pass urine more often.
• You may have a temperature (fever)

See the separate leaflet called Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis) for more information.

What are the problems that only women get that can cause left lower quadrant pain?

Mittelschmerz

• Pain at the time that you release an egg (ovulation), which is usually about halfway between two periods.
• Can be very severe and stop you short but usually eases over several minutes.
• Will only be felt on one side but can be left or right – could be on a different side the next month when your other ovary produces an egg. 

Pelvic inflammatory disease

• Pain is usually on both sides but may just be in the LLQ.
• Pain is worse during sex.
• There is abnormal bleeding, so bleeding not just at period time but in between periods and often after sex.
• There is usually a vaginal discharge, which may be smelly.

See the separate leaflet called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease for more information.

Twisted ovary

• Twisted ovary (ovarian torsion) usually only occurs if a fluid-filled sac (cyst) has developed on the left ovary.
• Pain can be constant or intermittent.

See the separate leaflet called Ovarian Cyst for more information.

Endometriosis

• Sometimes endometriosis can cause constant lower tummy pain, although usually it is worse just before, during and for a short while after a period.
• Pain is usually across the lower part of the tummy but it can be just on the left side.

See the separate leaflet on Endometriosis for more information.

Ectopic pregnancy

You should always see a doctor urgently if you think you might be pregnant and are experiencing LLQ pain. You could have an ectopic pregnancy.

• Pain may develop sharply, or may slowly get worse over several days. It can become severe.
• Vaginal bleeding often occurs but not always. It is often different to the bleeding of a period. For example, the bleeding may be heavier or lighter than a normal period. The blood may look darker. However, you may think the bleeding is a late period.
• Other symptoms may occur such as diarrhoea, feeling faint, or pain on passing poo (faeces).
• Shoulder-tip pain may develop. This is due to some blood leaking into the abdomen and irritating the muscle used to breathe (the diaphragm).
• You may feel dizzy or faint.

See the separate leaflet called Ectopic Pregnancy.

There is also a separate leaflet called Left Lower Quadrant Pain in Pregnancy.

What are the problems that only men get that can cause left lower quadrant pain?

Any pain coming from the left side of the scrotum can cause pain in the LLQ but usually the pain in the scrotum will be worse.

Torsion of the testicle

• Torsion of the testicle (testis) causes severe pain in the scrotum and severe lower quadrant pain.
• It most commonly affects teenage boys but young adult men can be affected.
• It is unusual over the age of 25 years but can affect any man at any age.
• The testicle is very tender.
• You should seek urgent medical advice.

See the separate leaflet called Torsion of the Testis for more information.

Epididymo-orchitis

• Epididymo-orchitis is an inflammation of the testicle and/or the tubes surrounding it (epididymis).
• It is caused by an infection.
• The affected side of the scrotum swells and goes very red and tender.

See the separate leaflet called Epididymo-orchitis for more information. 

What are the other possible causes?

Inflammatory bowel disease

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which is very different. These conditions cause the lining of the gut to become inflamed. Diarrhoea (sometimes with blood mixed in) is usually the main symptom.

• Crohn’s disease: 
• Any part of the gut can be affected and the pain depends on which part is affected.

See the separate leaflet called Crohn’s Disease for more information.

• Ulcerative colitis:
• Diarrhoea is often mixed with mucus or pus.
• Blood mixed with the diarrhoea is common.
• The tummy pain is typically crampy.
• A feeling of wanting to go to the toilet but with nothing to pass (tenesmus) is also common.

See the separate leaflet called Ulcerative Colitis for more information.

Sigmoid volvulus

• Sigmoid volvulus happens when the very last part of the large bowel, the sigmoid, twists on itself causing a blockage.
• This causes colicky pain and a very bloated tummy (abdomen).
• The people it affects are usually elderly and have often had long-term problems with constipation.
• It is dangerous and requires emergency surgery.

Kidney stones

• Kidney stones are hard stones that can form in the kidney, in the tube (the ureter) draining urine from the kidney, or in the bladder.
• A stone that passes into the tube (the ureter) draining urine from your left kidney may cause pain that starts in your left loin and spreads (radiates) to your groin and left LLQ, or into your testicle (testis) if you are a man.
• You may notice blood in your pee.

See the separate leaflet called Kidney Stones for more information.

Shingles

• In some cases you may have pain from shingles before a blistery rash appears.
• Pain tends to be sharp or burning.
• You may not feel quite yourself.
• The tummy is a common place for shingles rash.

See the separate leaflet called Shingles (Herpes Zoster) for more information.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

• An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a swelling of the largest blood vessel in the body (the aorta) inside the abdomen.
• It doesn’t usually cause any symptoms but can occasionally cause pain before it bursts. The pain is usually felt in your back or the side of your tummy (abdomen) but it can occasionally be felt in the left lower (or in the right) quadrant.

See the separate leaflet called Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm for more information.

What else could it be?

These lists of possible causes for LLQ are by no means exhaustive and there are many other conditions that can cause pain in the LLQ. Problems in your spine or back could be ‘referred’. Referred pain in this situation means that it is coming from your back but you are feeling it around the front. Muscular pulls and sprains can also affect you in the tummy area. If this is the case, moving the particular muscle would make the pain worse, whereas if you were to lie completely still, it wouldn’t hurt.

Should I see a doctor?

Yes, if you have a pain which doesn’t settle, you will probably need to consult a health professional to help you figure out the cause. Consult a doctor urgently if you:

• Have very severe pain.
• Have persistent sickness (vomiting).
• Have recently lost weight without trying to do so.
• Have persistent diarrhoea.
• Feel giddy, light-headed, faint or breathless.
• Are bringing up blood or have blood in your poo (faeces).
• Have a change from your usual bowel habit. This means you may open your bowels more or less often than usual, causing bouts of diarrhoea or constipation.
• Could be pregnant.

What are the usual tests for left lower quadrant pain?

Your doctor will narrow the (enormous) field of possible LLQ pain diagnoses by talking to you and examining you. They may be able to find the cause simply by doing so. For example, if they find the typical rash of shingles, you will need no further tests to find the cause. The doctor will certainly need to feel your tummy (abdomen) in the area you have the pain, but may also need to examine other parts too, such as the rest of your tummy. Your doctor may also need to examine your bottom (rectal examination).

You will probably be asked to provide a sample of urine, to rule out kidney problems.

You may well have to go for blood tests. These might include tests to:

• Check the function of your liver and kidneys.
• Rule out any inflammation or infection in your body.
• Look for anaemia.
• Check your blood sugar level.

What other tests might be needed for left lower quadrant pain?

Next it will depend on what the examination and the tests above have suggested. In some cases no further tests will be needed – if, for example, your doctor is confident you have constipation or shingles.

If a problem with your large bowel is suspected, you may need an examination with a tube with a camera put into your large bowel (a colonoscopy). A computerised tomography (CT) scan or an ultrasound scan may be helpful to look for diverticula and to look at your kidneys. These tests are also used in women to look at the ovary and tubes. In some cases an X-ray of the tummy may be useful. Further tests include other ‘scopes’ (such as a sigmoidoscopy), a barium enema and other scans (such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan).

If it is thought you might have an ectopic pregnancy – women – or a torsion of your testicle (testis) – men, you may only have one or two of these tests before having emergency surgery to treat your problem.

Nobody will need all these tests, and some people may not need any.

What treatment will I need for left lower quadrant pain?

There is no single answer to this until you know what the cause of your pain is. See the relevant leaflet for the condition with which you have been diagnosed. Treatments for a few of the causes of LLQ pain are briefly discussed below.

• Constipation can be treated with medicines, but often changes to your diet are needed to prevent it happening again.
• Gastroenteritis usually doesn’t need any treatment, other than drinking plenty of fluid to compensate for all that is being lost. Occasionally when germs (bacteria) which can be treated with antibiotics are causing the infection, an antibiotic may help.
• Shingles. The pain and rash settle on their own in time, but some people may be advised to take an antiviral tablet to help speed this process up.
• Kidney infections are treated with antibiotics. Mild infections can be treated with antibiotics at home. If you are very unwell you may need admission to hospital for antibiotics and fluids through a drip (intravenously).
• Kidney stones. Small kidney stones pass on their own eventually, in which case you will need to drink plenty of fluids and take strong painkillers. Larger kidney stones may need one of a number of procedures done to break them up or remove them altogether.
• Torsion of the testicle (testis) is cured with an operation (ideally this should be performed within 6-8 hours of the pain starting).
• Ectopic pregnancy is usually treated by an operation but medical treatment is now more common. This avoids the need for surgery and means the tube is less likely to be permanently damaged.

What is the outlook?

Again this depends entirely on the cause of the pain. Some conditions settle very quickly on their own (for example, gastroenteritis), or with the help of antibiotics (for example, a kidney infection). Others can be cured with surgery, such as torsion of the testis. Some are long-term conditions, for which there is no cure, although there are treatments, such as those used for people who have Crohn’s disease. Your doctor should be able to give you an idea of the outlook (prognosis) once a diagnosis has become clear.

Lower Left Back Pain from Internal Organs

It is possible for left-sided back pain to be caused by a problem with one or more internal organs, such as from the kidney or colon.

See Lower Back Pain Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Several common internal causes of lower left back pain include:

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Kidney Stones

Lower left back pain from a kidney stone may be felt when a stone moves inside the left kidney, or moves through the ureters, thin tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder. Other symptoms include pain with urination, difficulty urinating despite a persistent need to do so, blood in the urine, and nausea and/or vomiting.

See A Guide to Lower Left Back Pain

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Kidney Infection

An infection in the left kidney can cause dull or intense lower left back pain. Kidney infections usually start in the urinary tract and bladder, and from there can spread to the kidneys, causing local inflammation and pain in the kidney. Additional symptoms may include fever, nausea and/or vomiting, and painful or stinging urination. Pain is typically felt next to the spine above the hip, and typically worsens with movement or pressure.

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Gynecological Disorders

Fibroids and endometriosis, two common conditions in women, can cause lower left back pain. Pain from endometriosis is usually sporadic, sharp and stabbing, and is caused by excess uterine tissue growing outside the uterus. Other symptoms many include abdominal pain, fatigue, and severe pain with menstruation. Fibroids—typically benign masses growing in the uterus—can cause lower left back pain, as well as abnormal menstruation, frequent urination, and pain with intercourse.

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Ulcerative Colitis

An inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis is marked by persistent inflammation mostly in the large intestine, also called the colon. Inflammation usually causes chronic digestive issues such as diarrhea, rectal pain, and weight loss. Abdominal cramping is a common symptom of ulcerative colitis, causing sharp back and abdominal pain on one or both sides of the body.

In This Article:

Pregnancy

One-sided lower back pain can occur during pregnancy as the baby develops and the mother’s body accommodates. Pain can vary from a dull, constant ache to a sharp, stabbing pain. Exercise, stretching, rest, and some complementary therapies can help ease the pain.

See Back Pain in Pregnancy

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Pancreatitis

This condition involves inflammation of the pancreas, which may cause upper abdominal pain that spreads to the lower left quadrant of the back. Patients may describe the pain as a dull sensation that may be aggravated by eating, especially foods high in fat.

View Slideshow: 7 Ways Internal Organs Can Cause Lower Back Pain

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A thorough diagnostic process by a qualified health professional should check for the above, and additional, possible causes of lower back pain. Sometimes, additional testing such as x-rays, CT scans, and/or blood tests may be recommended. It is important to seek prompt medical attention if the above conditions are suspected.

Experiencing Pain in Lower Left Abdomen? 9 Possible Causes

Normal abdominal pain

The complaint of nonspecific abdominal pain and discomfort, with no apparent cause, is one of the most common in medicine. It is a primary reason for patients to visit a medical provider or the emergency room.

The cause of abdominal pain can be difficult to find, because it can come from many different sources: the digestive tract, the urinary tract, the pancreas, the gall bladder, or the gynecologic organs.

The pain may simply be caused by overly sensitive nerves in the gut. This hypersensitivity can occur after repeated abdominal injury and/or it may have an emotional cause due to fear of the pain itself.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination, patient history, and simply ruling out any other condition. CT scan is often requested, but can rarely find a specific cause. The benefits must be weighed against the risks of radiation.

Treatment first involves making any needed lifestyle improvements regarding diet, exercise, work, and sleep, in order to reduce stress. In some cases, counseling, hypnosis, mild pain relievers, and antidepressants are helpful.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain (stomach ache), vaginal discharge, fever, nausea

Symptoms that always occur with normal abdominal pain: abdominal pain (stomach ache)

Symptoms that never occur with normal abdominal pain: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, severe abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, vaginal discharge

Urgency: Self-treatment

Normal variation of constipation

Constipation means bowel movements which have become infrequent and/or hardened and difficult to pass.

There is wide variation in what is thought “normal” when it comes to frequency of bowel movements. Anywhere from three times a day to three times a week is considered normal.

As long as stools are easy to pass, laxatives should not be used in an effort to force the body to a more frequent schedule.

Constipation is usually caused by lack of fiber in the diet; not drinking enough water; insufficient exercise; and often suppressing the urge to have a bowel movement.

A number of medications and remedies, especially narcotic pain relievers, can cause constipation.

Women are often affected, due to pregnancy and other hormonal changes. Young children who demand low-fiber or “junk food” diets are also susceptible.

Constipation is a condition, not a disease, and most of the time is easily corrected. If simple adjustments in diet, exercise, and bowel habits don’t help, a doctor can be consulted to rule out a more serious cause.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain (stomach ache), nausea, stomach bloating, constipation, constipation

Symptoms that always occur with normal variation of constipation: constipation

Symptoms that never occur with normal variation of constipation: vomiting

Urgency: Self-treatment

Intestinal inflammation (diverticulitis)

Diverticula are small pouches that bulge outward through the colon, or large intestine. Diverticulitis is a condition where the pouches become inflamed or infected, a process which can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain (stomach ache), nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation

Symptoms that never occur with intestinal inflammation (diverticulitis): pain below the ribs, pain in the upper right abdomen

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Ovulation pain (mittelschmerz) or midcycle spotting

Mittelschmerz is a German word that translates as “middle pain.” It refers to the normal discomfort sometimes felt by women during ovulation, which is at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle.

Each month, one of the two ovaries forms a follicle that holds an egg cell. The pain occurs when the follicle ruptures and releases the egg.

This is a dull, cramping sensation that may begin suddenly in only one side of the lower abdomen. In a few cases, there may be vaginal spotting. Mittelschmerz occurs about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period.

Actual Mittelschmerz is not associated with nausea, vomiting, fever, or severe pelvic pain. These symptoms should be evaluated by a medical provider since they can indicate a more serious condition.

Diagnosis is made through patient history.

Treatment requires only over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain. An oral contraceptive will stop the symptoms, since it also stops ovulation.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain (stomach ache), last period approximately 2 weeks ago, vaginal bleeding, bloody vaginal discharge, pelvis pain

Symptoms that always occur with ovulation pain (mittelschmerz) or midcycle spotting: last period approximately 2 weeks ago

Urgency: Self-treatment

Constipation from not eating enough fiber

Constipation is defined as having stools which are large, hard, and difficult to pass. This leaves the person feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Many things can cause constipation, and a common one is lack of fiber in the diet.

To determine whether lack of fiber is causing the constipation, all other causes are first ruled out:

• Not drinking enough water, sometimes to the point of dehydration.
• Lack of exercise, which helps increase blood circulation and therefore motility (contraction and movement) of the bowel.
• A very low or no-fat diet.
• A need for probiotics, which replenish the “good” bacteria in the gut.
• Medications, or certain illnesses, which have a constipating effect.
• Constantly ignoring the feeling of needing to move the bowels, and delaying going to the toilet.

If fiber is needed, the best sources are fresh vegetables; fresh or dried fruits; and whole wheat and brown rice, because those include the fiber-rich bran. Over-the-counter fiber tablets can be tried, though laxatives should only be used if recommended by a medical provider.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: constipation, constipation, pain in the lower left abdomen, pain when passing stools, feeling of needing to constantly pass stool

Symptoms that always occur with constipation from not eating enough fiber: constipation, constipation

Symptoms that never occur with constipation from not eating enough fiber: vomiting

Urgency: Self-treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is very common problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause stomach pain, cramps, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. Doctors think that IBS is caused by the brain sending wrong messages to the bowels, such as during times of high stress, causing physical changes. The formal criteria for this diagnosis requires 3 months of symptoms. Therefore you may have an early presentation.

Read more on IBS

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: fatigue, abdominal pain (stomach ache), nausea or vomiting, stool changes, constipation

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Menstrual cramps

Menstrual cramps, also called dysmenorrhea, are actually contractions of the uterus as it expels its lining during a woman’s monthly period.

A certain amount of mild cramping is normal, triggered by hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. However, painful cramps may be caused by underlying conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, high prostaglandin levels, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID.)

Severe cramping may be present, as well as nausea, headache, and dull pain that radiates to the low back and thighs. It is most common in women under age 30 who smoke, have heavy and irregular periods, and have never given birth.

An obstetrician/gynecologist (women’s specialist) can do tests for underlying conditions such as those mentioned above. Women over age 25 who suddenly begin having severe cramps should see a doctor to rule out the sudden onset of a more serious concern.

Treatment of mild cramping can be done with heating pads to the abdomen and with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen. Birth control pills, which regulate the menstrual cycle, are often effective in lessening cramps.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: abdominal pain (stomach ache), abdominal cramps (stomach cramps), painful periods, lower back pain, abdominal pain that shoots to the back

Symptoms that always occur with menstrual cramps: abdominal pain (stomach ache)

Symptoms that never occur with menstrual cramps: being severely ill, disapearance of periods for over a year

Urgency: Self-treatment

Causes, Treatment, and When to See a Healthcare Provider

When people experience pain in their lower abdomen, where the leg meets the pelvis, they often refer to this as groin pain. While a muscle strain is the most common cause of groin pain in adults, a wide variety of other conditions may be to blame, including an inguinal hernia, kidney stone, or problems in or around the hip joint, in the scrotum (in men), or with specific nerves. Depending on the underlying cause, groin pain can be mild or severe, come on gradually or suddenly, and vary in quality (dull, sharp, throbbing, or even burning).

To determine the cause of your groin pain, your healthcare provider will perform a comprehensive physical examination and, if needed, order blood and/or imaging tests. In the end, your treatment plan may range from something as simple as rest and ice to something more involved, like physical therapy, or invasive, like surgery.

Note: Groin pain in children is assessed differently than in adults; this article focuses on the latter.

Illustration by Alexandra Gordon, Verywell

Causes

Due to the multiple and unique causes of groin pain, seeing a healthcare professional for an evaluation is important.

Common

Less commonly, testicular, abdominal, pelvic, and nerve conditions may cause groin pain.

Muscle Strain

Groin strain, also referred to as a pulled groin muscle, typically occurs as a result of an athletic injury or awkward movement of the hip joint, which leads to stretching or tearing of the inner thigh muscles.

Usually, the pain of a groin strain is sharp, the onset is abrupt, and the cause of pain is clear.

In addition to pain, a person may develop inner thigh muscle spasms and leg weakness from the strain.

Inguinal Hernia

An inguinal hernia occurs when fatty tissue or the intestines herniates (protrudes) through a weak or torn area within the abdominal wall. Sometimes, an inguinal hernia causes no symptoms. If symptoms are present, people often report a tugging sensation in the groin area and/or a dull groin pain when coughing or lifting things. There may also be a visible bulge in the groin.

Kidney Stone

A kidney stone may cause waves of pain (renal colic) as it passes through the urinary tract. The pain can range from mild to severe, and it often occurs in the flank area (between your ribs and hips) or the lower abdomen. In both cases, the pain frequently radiates toward the groin. In addition to pain, a person may experience blood in their urine, nausea or vomiting, pain with urination, and an urge to urinate.

Hip Osteoarthritis

Arthritis of the hip joint (located between the top of the thigh bone and the pelvis) occurs when the usually smooth hip joint is worn away. When the cartilage is depleted, leg movements become painful and stiff. Like other forms of osteoarthritis, the pain worsens with activity and is eased with rest. Besides pain, stiffness in the hip joint and a popping noise or sensation may be heard during movement.

Femoral Acetabular Impingement

Femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) is generally thought of as an early stage of arthritis in the hip joint. When bone spurs develop around the ball and socket of the hip joint, this leads to restrictions in mobility of the hip and pain felt in the groin (or the outside of the hips) at the limits of motion. The pain may range from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation.

Hip Labrum Tear

The labrum of the hip joint is a layer of cartilage that wraps around the ball of the ball-and-socket hip joint. A hip labral tear can cause symptoms of pain (usually sharp) in the groin or buttock that is felt during certain movements of the hip. Sometimes, a catching and popping sensation is also felt within the hip.

Hip Fracture

A hip fracture—a bone break in the upper quarter of the thigh bone— may result from a fall or a direct blow to the hip, as well as osteoporosis, cancer, or a stress injury.

The pain of a hip fracture is often felt in the groin and is significantly worsened with any attempt to flex or rotate the hip.

Hip Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis, sometimes called avascular necrosis, is a medical condition that causes bone cells to die as a result of a lack of appropriate blood supply. When this happens to bone cells supporting the hip joint, they begin to collapse, leading to deterioration of the hip joint. A dull aching or throbbing pain in the groin or buttock area is usually the first symptom of this condition. As it progresses, a person may limp due to difficulties putting weight on the hip.

Sports Hernia

A sports hernia is an unusual injury, mostly diagnosed in soccer and hockey players, that is attributed to a subtle weakening of the abdominal wall. It causes pain directly over the front of the lower abdomen/groin region. A sports hernia can be difficult to diagnose and, usually, the only treatment is rest or surgical intervention.

Less Common

Less commonly, testicular, abdominal, pelvic, and nerve conditions may cause groin pain.

Testicular Conditions

Several different types of testicular conditions may cause groin pain, such as:

• Epididymitis: Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis—a duct located at the back of the testes. The pain of epididymitis may begin in the groin and then move down to the testicle. Swelling of the testicle may occur, along with a fever and chills (though less commonly).
• Testicular torsion: Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency that occurs when the structure that carries nerves to the testicles (spermatic cord) twists on itself, resulting in severe and sudden groin and testicle pain.

Nerve Problem

A pinched nerve in the lumbar (lower spine) may cause pain and numbness and tingling in the groin area. This condition is called lumbar radiculopathy.

Likewise, nerve entrapment, such as obturator nerve or ilioinguinal nerve entrapment, may cause burning or lancinating groin and middle thigh pain, as well as other neurological symptoms like numbness and tingling.

Abdominal or Pelvic Conditions

Certain abdominal conditions, like diverticulitis or an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or pelvic conditions, like an ovarian cyst, may cause pain that travels to or is perceived to be in the groin.

Osteitis Pubis

Osteitis pubis is an inflammatory condition of the pubic symphysis—a cartilaginous joint that connects your two pubic bones. It may cause a dull, aching pain in the groin and pelvis. This condition may occur in athletes, as well as non-athletes, especially those with a history of inflammatory arthritis, pregnancy, pelvic trauma, or pelvic surgery.

Rare

These two conditions are rare, but may be the source of groin pain, and therefore will be considered by your healthcare provider:

Infected Joint

Rarely, the hip joint may become infected. This is most common in older individuals (people over the age of 80), and people with diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, recent joint surgery, and those with a hip or knee prostheses. In addition to severe groin pain, especially with leg movement, a person may have a fever, as well as swelling, warmth, and redness around the hip.

Tumor

Very rarely, a tumor in a muscle or bone, especially one in the area of the inner thigh muscles, may cause groin pain. Unlike a groin strain, groin pain from a tumor does not generally worsen with exercise.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Seek immediate medical attention if your groin pain is severe or persistent, or if you have fallen or experienced another form of trauma to your hip.

Groin pain associated with a fever, chills, blood in your urine, abdominal or pelvic discomfort, nausea or vomiting, or an inability to bear weight or walk also warrants immediate medical attention.

In the event of an inguinal hernia, if you cannot push the protruding tissue back into your body, be sure to call your healthcare provider or surgeon. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience severe pain around your inguinal hernia (groin bulge) or symptoms of sickness like vomiting, diarrhea, or a swollen belly. This may indicate a strangulated hernia, in which the herniated tissue becomes trapped without adequate blood supply (this requires emergent surgery).

Lastly, if you are experiencing severe, one-sided testicular pain and swelling, seek emergency medical attention for a possible testicular torsion, which also requires immediate surgery.

Diagnosis

While getting a detailed medical history, your healthcare provider will inquire about the specifics of your groin pain, like when it started, whether you experienced an acute injury or trauma, what makes the pain worse and better, and whether you have any other associated symptoms. Your healthcare provider will then perform a thorough physical exam and often order imaging tests to clinch the diagnosis.

Physical Examination

To access the culprit behind your groin pain, your healthcare provider will perform an abdominal exam, testicular exam (if male), neurological exam, and a musculoskeletal exam that focuses on your hip.

People with hip joint problems often complain of discomfort with maneuvers that involve flexion (bending) and rotation of the hip joint. This would be a maneuver such as resting your ankle upon your thigh while in the seated position to put on your shoes or socks. In medical terms, this is called a FABER maneuver (flexion, abduction, external rotation) or Patrick’s test.

Imaging

While a groin strain can be diagnosed by physical examination alone, other causes of groin pain usually require imaging.

The most commonly performed imaging test to access groin pain is an X-ray, which can be helpful in showing the bony anatomy and structure of the hip joint.

It’s the best test for determining the extent of cartilage damage and other signs of hip osteoarthritis, like bone spurs and joint space narrowing.

If groin pain is suspected to be related to the testicles or an inguinal hernia, an ultrasound may be ordered. If a kidney stone is a potential culprit, your healthcare provider may opt for a computed tomography (CT) scan. An ultrasound or CT of the abdomen/pelvis may also be ordered if an intestinal or other abdominal/pelvic process is a suspected cause of your groin pain.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test is often performed to evaluate the soft tissues around the hip joint. MRIs can show muscles, tendons, ligaments, and labrum to help determine the source of groin pain issues. Sometimes an MRI is performed with an injection of a solution called contrast to better reveal subtle injuries of the cartilage and labrum inside the joint.

An MRI can also be used to access for nerve problems, like a pinched nerve in the back that is referring pain to the groin.

Injection

Finally, a diagnostic or therapeutic injection can be very helpful if the source of pain is unclear. A skilled physician, sometimes an orthopedic surgeon or radiologist, can guide a needle into the hip joint. This may be done with the aid of ultrasound or X-ray to ensure the needle is properly positioned.

Once the needle is in the joint, an anesthetic (lidocaine) can be injected. It is a very useful diagnostic tool: If the pain goes away temporarily, the source is likely where the anesthetic was injected.

Treatment

After a proper diagnosis is made, the next step is formulating a treatment plan.

Lifestyle Treatment Options

Some causes of groin pain require simple strategies that you can often do at home. For instance, for a groin strain from a sports injury, your healthcare provider will likely recommend rest, icing the injured area, and wrapping the upper thigh with an elastic compression wrap to decrease pain and swelling.

Likewise, for hip osteoarthritis, your healthcare provider may recommend minimizing activities that aggravate your pain, such as climbing stairs. For epididymitis or other testicular sources of groin pain, scrotal elevation and icing may help.

Medications

Medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), are used to ease groin pain in many conditions, such as a groin strain, osteoarthritis, hip labrum tear, osteitis pubis, or a pinched nerve in the back.

Stronger pain medications, such as opioids, may be required to treat the more severe groin pain associated with a kidney stone, hip fracture, or infected hip joint.

Sometimes a steroid like cortisone is injected into the hip to alleviate groin pain, especially in the case of hip osteoarthritis, or into the lower back, as with a pinched nerve.

Lastly, depending on the underlying condition, antibiotics may be needed to treat an infection, as in the case of epididymitis. Antibiotics are also used after surgery for an infected hip joint, which is a surgical emergency.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a major treatment for most hip-related causes of groin pain. That said, the timing of when to undergo rehabilitation depends on the underlying problem (for example, post-operative physical therapy after a hip replacement versus long-term physical therapy for hip osteoarthritis).

Besides exercises that help strengthen your leg and hip muscles and improve range of motion and flexibility, if you have a hip problem, your physical therapist may provide you with an assistive walking device like a cane, crutches, or a walker.

Surgery

Other conditions are more serious and may require surgery, sometimes emergently, as in the case of testicular torsion or a hip joint infection. A hip joint infection is treated with an urgent surgical intervention that includes irrigation and debridement, followed by postoperative antibiotics.

Non-urgent, but necessary surgery examples include hip replacement for advanced hip arthritis, an arthroscopic hip surgery for some labral tears, and core decompression surgery for hip osteonecrosis.

Prevention

Groin pain is a common complaint with multiple potential causes.

In order to prevent hip-related problems (a common groin pain origin), here are a few simple strategies you can consider adopting:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Engaging in low-impact sports, like swimming or cycling, that place less stress on the hip
• Talking with your healthcare provider about strategies, like balance training or tai chi, to prevent falls—the most common cause of hip fractures
• Performing daily moderate exercise to slow bone loss and maintain muscle strength

For non-hip related causes of groin pain, it’s important to see your healthcare provider periodically for routine check-ups and screenings (for example, screening for sexually transmitted disease, which is a common cause of epididymitis).

A Word From Verywell

There was a time when orthopedic physicians understood groin pain to be limited to arthritis and muscular injuries. The understanding of sources of groin pain has expanded greatly, and while this can help to guide treatment, it can make for a challenging diagnostic evaluation.

Remain proactive in working with your healthcare provider to determine the source of your groin pain. Once the source is clearly understood, a treatment plan can be developed that should give you the relief you deserve.

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left may indicate problems with the kidneys or intestines. It’s hard to say unequivocally, because it is necessary to conduct an appropriate examination.

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

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left in men can indicate the presence of both serious problems and temporary violations of certain functions of the body. This mainly indicates the presence of problems with the genitourinary system. It is simply impossible to make a diagnosis on your own. You should undergo an examination, on the basis of which everything will become known. Sometimes, pain in the lower abdomen on the left is a harbinger of prostatitis. This problem should not be left to chance. You need to immediately consult a doctor, 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 may worsen. But this is not all that such pain can talk about. It is also a harbinger of hernia, testicular inflammation, and even pancreatic problems. If we are talking about the latter phenomenon, then it is worth limiting the use of rough food, which causes this kind of irritation. The main thing is to consult a doctor in time for help.

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left during pregnancy can signal the presence of various problems. If we are talking about early stages, then this phenomenon is often associated with embryo implantation. In this case, you should not worry, this is normal. Sometimes pain can occur due to an increased tone of the uterus or an insufficiency in the cervix. Sometimes a sharp pain with bloody discharge signals a miscarriage. In this case, you need to urgently call an ambulance. If the gestational age is quite long, then the pain may indicate training contractions.This phenomenon also carries nothing negative. Sometimes pain in the lower abdomen on the left speaks of intestinal disorders. A pregnant woman often suffers from this phenomenon. Finally, it is likely that cystitis has appeared. It manifests itself with acute pain and discomfort during urination. In any case, it is necessary to visit the doctor. After all, it’s good if such pain does not bode well. It is not always a harbinger of serious problems.

Symptoms of pain in the lower abdomen on the left are the pain itself.It can be mild, blunt, cutting, and sharp. In this case, it all depends on the cause of its occurrence. It is likely that the person has an ordinary indigestion. but not always as easy as we would like. Maybe we are talking about something more serious. The first step is to pay attention to its character and only after that try to determine what it is. The gender of the patient also plays a huge role. Indeed, in men, acute pain can talk about prostatitis, and in women about cystitis. In any case, there is no need to delay treatment.If the pain is mild, it is likely that there is some gut problem. Acute pain can become the very signal for action. After all, these can be problems with the intestines, pancreas and kidneys. It is strictly forbidden to delay the visit to the doctor in any case. After all, there were cases when acute pain down the abdomen on the left spoke of inflammation of appendicitis.

A pulling pain in the lower left abdomen can symbolize the onset of kidney problems. But not always everything happens this way, sometimes it is all 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 action, then this condition can last 12 weeks. Therefore, it is clearly not worth postponing the visit to the doctor. Why do we need unnecessary 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 he is present, then it is clearly worth asking for help. Such a phenomenon does not cause any particular inconvenience to a person, but everything for the time being. Further, the situation is capable of aggravating at times. In this case, you will have to undergo a longer and more complex treatment. Moreover, it is worth noting that the syndrome can disappear by itself, but only for a short time. Then everything comes back again and with more serious symptoms.

Severe pain in the lower left abdomen can appear for a number of reasons.Moreover, it is important to note that in this case, the sex of the person, as well as the presence of pregnancy, is of great importance. Because it is difficult to speak in general terms about this problem. But if we are talking separately about men, then it can be both an inflammation of the testicles and prostatitis. In general, you need to see a doctor in order for him to make an accurate diagnosis. After all, it is difficult to talk about such things in general terms. If you take a woman separately, then in this case it may 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 term of pregnancy also plays an important role here. In general, there can be quite a few 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. This is where the risk is highest.

Aching pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Aching pain in the lower abdomen on the left in most cases indicates the presence of 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. This may be an ordinary disorder of his work. This happens in the case of eating poor-quality food or one that can cause irritation. Therefore, it is always necessary to monitor what is used. 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 the examination.It is impossible to make a diagnosis on your own. Moreover, it is not recommended to drink pain relievers, 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 has arisen in the fair sex.

Sharp pain in the left lower abdomen

A sharp pain in the lower left abdomen symbolizes serious problems, in most cases.In no case should you ignore it. And taking painkillers is also not recommended. It is better to seek medical help. What can such pain symbolize? In most cases, these can be kidney problems. Most likely there is a place for an infectious disease. Basically, they manifest themselves in this way. But it may be that we are talking about the pancreas. But such pain, as a rule, although strong, but short-term. 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 this can be a harbinger of appendicitis, despite the fact that the pain appeared in a completely different direction. If we are talking about a systemic form of inflammation, then the first signs can appear anywhere, and even in the navel area. Leaving everything to chance is prohibited. After all, if this is appendicitis, then the consequences can be extremely serious.

Stitching pains in the lower left abdomen

Stitching pains in the lower left abdomen occur mainly pi inflammation of the large intestine.This can occur due to eating poor quality food or with a lot of seasonings. So, this phenomenon is also accompanied by severe swelling. It is advisable to give up food for a certain period, which can irritate the intestines. But you can find out about this only after consulting a doctor. It is not necessary to make a diagnosis on your own. If the problem is not in the intestines, then the genitourinary system should be checked. You don’t need to start fighting immediately. After all, the situation can get out of control at any moment.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 surgery. This condition indicates that a cyst has formed, which must be removed immediately.

Acute 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 is talking about, just by this symptom. The first step is to determine the source of pain, and then based on this, try to figure out what is the reason for this. You must be able to distinguish between pain during menstruation and pain in other cases. Sometimes in the middle of the cycle there is pain in the lower abdomen on the left 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 it is a problem with the genitourinary system.It is likely that there is inflammation that needs to 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 this is the problem. 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.

Dull pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Dull pain in the lower abdomen on the left is the result of problems with the pancreas, intestines, gallbladder and genitourinary system.It all depends on the additional symptoms and the duration of the pain. So, in the event of painful sensations, 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, after a while, disappear without a trace, and then, with renewed vigor, begin to harass a person. Therefore, it is recommended that if pains of varying intensity appear, immediately seek help from the hospital. In general, it should be understood that such pain sometimes indicates the presence of pregnancy.Therefore, self-diagnosis is strictly prohibited. This should only be done by doctors. After all, harming your own body is quite simple. Therefore, it is recommended that you go to the hospital right away. Indeed, in the early stages, in many cases this can be avoided.

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 scary.Basically, such pain characterizes intestinal obstruction. Moreover, this is manifested not only in the presence of pain, but also in the absence of a chair. If we are talking about a diverticulum, then a feverish state is added to everything that happens. In general, it is impossible to determine “by eye” what is happening. This can only be done by an experienced doctor, and so he will only make a preliminary diagnosis. It is always necessary to pass a number of tests in order to find out exactly what is happening with a person.Sometimes pain in the lower abdomen on the left indicates inflammation of the appendages. But at the same time, there is also a sharp rise in temperature. If such a phenomenon occurs, you need to immediately call a doctor, because who knows what it might be. There is no need to risk your health, definitely.

Cramping pains in the lower abdomen on the left

Cramping pains in the lower abdomen on the left in women are associated either with pregnancy or with gynecology. The same cannot be said about men. After all, the pain arising from them can be of any nature.Starting from prostatitis and ending with the gastrointestinal tract. If a woman has a cramping pain, it is most likely worth checking the pelvic organs. Most likely, the infection is hidden somewhere in the genitourinary system. If you do not start to deal with this in time, then problems can arise quite serious. When the pain in the lower abdomen on the left is accompanied by vomiting and fever, then you definitely need to call a doctor. After all, it can be both an inflammation of the cyst and appendicitis. Sometimes this phenomenon speaks of 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 this pain is indicative of problems in the large intestine. In this case, you just need to exclude the irritating components from the food. If relief is not observed, you need to seek help from the hospital.

Pulsating pain in the lower abdomen on the left

The throbbing pain in the lower abdomen on the left is caused by problems with the intestines. In some cases, this may indicate the presence of inflammation of the appendages.If we dwell directly on the problems with the intestines, then most likely we are talking about colitis. Such pain in the lower abdomen on the left sometimes speaks of intestinal obstruction. In this case, you need to seek help from a doctor. If it hurts, they appear directly on the left, then this may also indicate the presence of intestinal cancer. Sometimes pain is a harbinger of cyst inflammation. If a similar situation occurs in a man, then you should also rely on intestinal problems. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by the attending physician.Sometimes such painful sensations 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, it is impossible to delay calling an ambulance, it can end very badly.

Recurrent pain in the lower abdomen on the left

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

Constant pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Constant pain in the lower abdomen on the left indicates the presence of diseases or any pathologies. In any case, only an experienced doctor can deal with this.There is a kind of pain that gradually increases or subside, 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 be determined only after a complete examination and passing certain tests. Most interestingly, it can also occur due to stressful situations.Sometimes it can also be benign and malignant tumors. Sometimes even ordinary constipation provokes pain. To get rid of this is quite simple, you need to change your diet. In general, in any case, you should seek the help of a doctor.

Stitching 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 it still requires the intervention of an experienced doctor.If you do not start fighting this in time, serious problems can arise. The first step is to change your diet and follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor. In the second case, the food intake should also be reviewed. After all, it is likely that it is she who causes such a condition. Therefore, it is better to refuse from sufficiently acidic and salty foods. In some cases, this symptom indicates the presence of problems with the genitourinary system. It 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.

Diagnosis of pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Diagnosis of pain in the lower abdomen on the left is carried out using certain tests and examinations. Of course, there are symptoms by which it is quite simple to determine the disease. However, such a diagnosis is not always correct. Still, you cannot 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 step is to donate blood and urine. Based on the results of these analyzes, the further course is determined. 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 scan to exclude all kinds of neoplasms. Only after this is a quality treatment prescribed. Diagnostics directly depends on the main symptom and accompanying phenomena.In addition, many patients are assigned directly to a standard examination. But only in the case when the inflammation of appendicitis is completely excluded.

Treatment of pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Treatment of pain in the lower abdomen 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 separately about intestinal obstruction, then in this case, the nutrition completely changes, and drug treatment is prescribed.Irritable bowel syndrome is handled in a similar way. True, here you can do without medicines, it is quite enough just to limit the use of certain products.

If we are talking about inflammation of appendicitis, then it must be removed immediately and bed rest with a certain diet must be observed for several days. It is also impossible to do without drugs. With a cyst, surgery is also required. After that, drug treatment is prescribed. Everything directly depends on the nature of the pain.After all, one cannot speak in general terms about this. All this is determined by the attending physician, after examination and testing.

Prevention of pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Prevention of pain in the lower abdomen on the left depends on many factors. So, in order to avoid pain in the pancreas, you must 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 acidic foods, spicy and fatty.You can also get these recommendations from your doctor. To prevent pain in the genitourinary system, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene. Indeed, for viruses, this environment is the most favorable. 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 the prevention of cysts, then in this case it is also necessary to adhere to several basic rules. They are definitely related to personal hygiene rules.In general, it is necessary to monitor your health. In order for the pain in the lower abdomen on the left never to arise, you should just pay more attention to your own health.

90,000 reasons, diagnosis, treatment in Kiev

In this article:

E More than one million cases of infection with 90,089 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur every day.
D annas e WHO for June 2019

What inflammation causes lower abdominal pain in women?

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a group of diseases associated with infection.This is evidenced not only by world experience, but also by the experience of gynecologists at the Meddiagnostika Center.

A woman faces infection all over the place . It is impossible to live in absolutely sterile conditions. Bacteria are everywhere, in the water of rivers, lakes and even the sea. Despite the belief that “salt water kills everything.” This is far from the case, considering that there are bacteria in nature that live even in sulfuric acid … Even in your own bathroom, not to mention the toilet, which can be used not only by you.

If you read reports of bacterial crops from hot tub pipes, in which water stagnates, it turns out that there is a mass of bacteria and fungi. At the moment the jacuzzi is turned on, all bacteria rush outside along with stagnant water. Unfortunately, the first place they can attack is the female genitals.

Practice shows that 65% of women who come with pain in the lower abdomen, itching, irregular periods, odor and discharge that appear, have been diagnosed with an infection: pathogenic flora, which is not typical for this part of the body.

What to do when the lower abdomen hurts?

You need to know the enemy by sight, especially when it comes to the treatment of pain in the lower abdomen. If there are complaints from the female genital organs, the first thing to do is to seek advice from a gynecologist, undergo a gynecological ultrasound scan and get tested.

Most of the inflammatory diseases in gynecology in some cases are already visible at the stage of the transvaginal ultrasound examination . The cause of the inflammation is revealed by laboratory examination.

Qualified examination performed gynecological ultrasound and the laboratory not only ascertain the presence of inflammation, but also establish its cause.

But if someone believes that this inflammation can be cured with simple anti-inflammatory drugs, this is far from the case. You can reduce inflammation. But, for a quality treatment, you need to understand which bacteria caused the inflammation?

It is known that gynecological inflammations are specific and nonspecific. Specific inflammations are usually called sexually transmitted diseases . The second group includes diseases that are caused by “banal” flora : Escherichia coli, streptococci, staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, candidiasis (thrush), etc. They are often called in gynecology nonspecific inflammations . Although such inflammations are caused by a specific foreign flora. Rather, no attention is paid to such a “banal” flora and “remove” inflammation by methods without the use of antibacterial drugs.Such flora may not be detected, including without observing certain standards of examination and laboratory diagnostics.

The condition of a woman’s genitourinary system is a very important issue. Many functions of the body depend on it: psychological state, sexual, reproductive function, pregnancy, child’s health.

Ideally, a woman should always monitor her health and, if she suspects a disease, be sure to consult a doctor.

What does a woman feel when there is inflammation in the organs of the reproductive system? Signs of inflammation

Signs of inflammation of the female genital organs are
the most common reason to see a doctor

Pathological processes in the urogenital area in a woman have both external and internal manifestations.

To external manifestations of inflammation can be attributed:

• Redness, swelling and itching in the genital area
• Vaginal discharge “unusual” color or mixed with blood, foamy or cheesy discharge.
• The appearance of rashes, warts, blisters, irritations

To internal manifestations of inflammation include:

• Painful urination
• Puffiness and swelling in the perineum
• Pain during menstruation, change in the nature of menstruation
• Pulls the lower abdomen, lower abdomen hurts
• Persistent or frequent short-term pain in the abdomen and lower back
• Pressure and pulling pain in the lower abdomen
• Frequent and difficult and painful urination
• General malaise characterized by fever, irregular periods, chronic fatigue.There may also be signs from the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, vomiting) 90 190
• Pain and discomfort during intercourse

Causes of complaints in inflammation in gynecology

The woman’s genitourinary system is quite vulnerable. Without following the rules of hygiene and without protection from various injuries and infections, these organs often suffer from various diseases. Such pathological processes are divided into the following types:

Specific infections of the female genital organs – most often they occur due to pathogens damage as a result of sexual transmission.Most often these are inflammations associated with sexually transmitted diseases:

• Chlamydia
• Ureaplasmosis
• Mycoplasmosis
• Gardnerellosis
• Syphilis
• Gonorrhea
• Trichomoniasis
• Genital herpes
• HPV (papillomatoma virus)
• HIV (causative agent: human immunodeficiency virus)
• Hepatitis (causative agent: more often hepatitis C virus)

Read about sexually transmitted diseases (STD)

What diseases can cause infections?

Specific and nonspecific infections entering the urogenital system of a woman cause:

1. Adnexitis,
2. oophoritis
3. Salpingitis
4. Salpingo-oophoritis
5. Cervicitis (endocervicitis and exocervicitis)
6. Endometritis, endomyometritis
7. Colpitis
8. Vulvit
9. Pelvioperitonitis
10. Bartholinite
11. Abscess and ulceration of the vulva, vagina

If an acute inflammatory process has not been cured, most often it can go into a chronic phase.Inflammation can be bilateral or unilateral.

B o l in the lower abdomen on the right , reasons

For example, recurrent pain in the lower abdomen on the right in women may indicate right-sided adnexitis. At the same time, pulsating pain in the lower right abdomen in women can also be with chronic appendicitis.

B o l in the lower abdomen left , reasons

While pulling pain in the lower abdomen on the left can speak not only of gynecological inflammation, but also of the pathology of the sigmoid colon.A pulling pain in the lower abdomen on the left can occur when there is a violation of evacuation from the intestine or with a spasm of the sigmoid colon. We need diagnostics.

How do chronic inflammation of the female genitourinary organs manifest themselves

Chronic inflammation in women may have the following symptoms:

• Slight increase in body temperature
• Constant slight pain in the lower abdomen and / or in the lumbar region, which may worsen during menstruation
• Discomfort and discomfort during intercourse
• Pain in the lower abdomen in women after urination
• Chronic fatigue and irritability
• Headaches and even migraines

This condition can be very long lasting and can lead to serious consequences.In women of childbearing age – up to infertility. Therefore, treatment of lower abdominal pain is so important.

When you need to see a doctor urgently

The following complaints can be considered an urgent reason to see a doctor:

• Sharp, severe, intense pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region. Especially with a sharp pain in the lower abdomen on the right, in women it can be both right-sided adnexitis and appendicitis. You always need to find out why the lower abdomen is pulling.
• Vomiting and / or diarrhea
• Neurological symptoms (dizziness, loss of consciousness, headache)
• A sharp rise in temperature above 38 90 360 0

You need to see a doctor if you have been bothering for some time:

• Rashes and ulcers in the genital area
• Persistent pain in the abdomen and lower back
• Discomfort during intercourse
• There is a vaginal discharge of “unusual” color or blood, with an unpleasant odor.Cheesy, frothy discharge, with itching and burning sensation.
• Appearance of complaints after unprotected intercourse. This may be a sign of the onset of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) 90 190
• Constant fatigue, fever, frequent diarrhea and vomiting

IMPORTANT! According to the WHO (World Health Organization), b Most sexually transmitted infections ( STI ) have no symptoms at all .And or flow with minimum minor symptoms , which can be ignored. Most of them mo gut remain undetected s . Despite the frequent asymptomaticity, e ty infections cause chronic inflammatory diseases in gynecology, chronic pathology of the cervix, which can result in cervical cancer .Moreover, such diseases can provoke headaches, joint pain and much more.

All of the above demonstrates the importance of verified diagnostics.

Where to go

The gynecological service of the Meddiagnostika clinic has all the necessary resources for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases in gynecology.

Doctors-gynecologists carry out diagnostics (ultrasound, MRI of the pelvic organs with contrast, laboratory), treatment of gynecological diseases.

Center “Meddiagnostika” diagnoses and treats not only gynecological, but also concomitant secondary manifestations of inflammatory diseases of the female genital area – back pain , joint pain , headaches , etc.

Address of the Center. Make an appointment with a gynecologist Kiev , left bank, 250 meters from Darnitsa metro station, Stroiteley lane, building 4.

Diagnostics and treatment at the Meddiagnostika Center are carried out in the same building.

Make an appointment
How to get to

“Pain in the left side of the abdomen below: causes” – Yandex.Q

Contents:

Dull, sharp, aching or stabbing pain on the left side in the lower abdomen usually disturbs and alarms the person. Indeed, many vital organs are located in this area, and unpleasant sensations can indicate a variety of diseases and conditions, including potentially life-threatening ones, requiring immediate hospitalization.What are the most common causes of left-sided pain in the lower abdomen and what to do if they occur? This is worth understanding in more detail.

Abdominal pain in the lower left: possible causes

The abdominal cavity contains many vital human organs. In particular, on the left side is the spleen, large and small intestines and organs of the genitourinary system. And in each of these organs a malfunction can occur – they become inflamed, injured, deformed, tumors develop on them, etc.e. Most of the diseases and conditions that give left-sided pain in the lower abdomen require urgent treatment.

Spleen

The formation and utilization of blood cells takes place in the spleen. Any pathology of this organ is capable of giving left-sided pain in the lower abdomen. In particular, we are talking about such diseases and conditions of the spleen as:

• Acute enlargement of the spleen – pathology may result from inflammation or impaired blood outflow, in any case, the patient will be bothered by pain in the lower abdomen on the left, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and fever may appear.
• Spleen infarction – blockage of an artery and formation of a necrotic focus surrounding a thrombus; sharp pain appears in the left hypochondrium and goes down, its intensity increases with movement, coughing and even deep breathing, the patient also has a high body temperature (about 39 degrees).
• Volvulus of the spleen – sometimes (most often due to congenital structural features of the human mesenteric ligaments or due to injury), the splenic artery is twisted, thereby causing gradually downward pain in the left side; pain is accompanied by symptoms such as bloating, constipation, vomiting, and deterioration in general well-being.
• Spleen abscess – potentially life-threatening large abscesses: when opened into the abdominal cavity, they cause diffuse pain, which may well be felt in the lower abdomen on the left.
• Lymphocytic leukemia and myeloid leukemia (chronic forms) – oncology of the hematopoietic organs begins painlessly, but as the tumor grows, the pain increases: first they appear after eating and on palpation.

Intestines

From the intestines, left-sided pain in the lower abdomen can occur for various reasons – from banal flatulence to much more serious conditions and diseases:

• Malabsorption – is the inability of the mucous membrane of the small intestine to perceive a certain product (or group of products), for example, fruit or milk; proceeds with bursting pain in the lower abdomen on the left (due to the accumulation of gases) and cramping pain in the same area (as a result of spasm of the vessels and muscles of the intestinal walls).
• Crohn’s disease – nodular inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is manifested not only by left-sided pain in the lower abdomen, but also by vomiting, diarrhea, general fatigue, and decreased appetite.

• Irritable bowel syndrome – accompanied by pain that can bother the lower left abdomen, as well as flatulence, diarrhea or constipation. The disease is characterized by the presence of periods of remission and exacerbations.

• Ulcerative colitis – proceeds with morphological changes in the intestinal walls, accompanied by paroxysmal colic of varying intensity.
• Polyposis – the appearance of benign formations (polyps) on the mucous membranes of some parts of the intestine can provoke left-sided pain in the lower abdomen.
• Intestinal obstruction – accompanied by severe pain, as well as the accumulation of gas in the intestines and constipation, nausea and vomiting, bloating and obvious asymmetry.
• Volvulus – accompanied by severe paroxysmal pains, which for a while completely recede, and then return again, as well as vomiting.
• Oncology.

Reproductive system

There are a number of reasons that provoke pain in the lower abdomen on the left in women. These include the following ailments:

• Inflammation of the fallopian tubes – in addition to sharp pain in the groin (including localization on the left), the patients suffer from vaginal discharge, painful menstruation and high temperature.
• Endometriosis – with this pathology, epithelial cells multiply outside the uterus, their growth is possible in the intestine.
• Rupture and / or twisting of the ovarian leg is a dangerous condition manifested by pains of very high intensity and disturbances in the general condition of the patient: pallor of the skin, drop in pressure, fever, vomiting. In this case, the patient needs emergency help.
• Adnexitis and salpingo-oophoritis – inflammation of the appendages is accompanied by sharp pains in the lower abdomen, which are aggravated by palpation.
• Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition that manifests itself in cramping pains, the intensity of which gradually increases; in the event of a rupture of the fallopian tube, the pain becomes unbearable, and the patient needs urgent medical attention.
• Allen-Masters syndrome – occurs due to rupture of the ligaments of the uterus due to severe or rapid labor, abortion, etc.

Another of the many causes of left-sided pain in the lower abdomen in both men and women from the genitourinary system is the expansion of the renal pelvis.

Classification of pain: what it can be

Left-sided pains in the lower abdomen can have a different character, by which one can suspect the development of a particular disease.

Dull pain usually accompanies unilateral “female” diseases. If dull pain sensations are combined with fever, rapid fatigue, general weakness, then, most likely, we are talking about inflammatory pathologies.

Pulling left-sided pain is usually characteristic of purulent pathologies of the pelvic organs, it occurs when the ligaments are stretched in the groin and strangulated hernias, and also accompanies oncological diseases (in this case, its intensity increases over time).

Sharp pains in the lower left abdomen are caused by spasms, passage of uralitis along the urinary tract, rupture of the inguinal ligaments, inflammation, rupture of the ovary, expansion of the renal pelvis or bladder.

Stitching pain can be a harbinger of rupture of the ovary, a consequence of the intestinal distention with gas, a companion of kidney disease or ulceration of the mucous membranes of the urethra or ureters.

In any case, the presence of such pain should be the basis for seeking help from a doctor.At the same time, it is important to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms – elevated body temperature, diarrhea, vomiting, pallor, lethargy, etc. You must definitely inform a specialist about them – this information will be useful for making an accurate diagnosis.

What to do for pain in the lower abdomen on the left?

Left-sided lower abdominal pain cannot be ignored. They may indicate a developing acute pathology requiring emergency medical care. Therefore, taking painkillers to relieve pain is not an option in this case.The reason will not go anywhere, and dull sensations can complicate the diagnosis.

Having felt pain of any intensity and of any nature in the left lower abdomen, it is necessary to act as follows:

• Provide yourself with peace and the most comfortable position in which pain is not felt, or at least does not worsen.
• Assess pain in terms of existing chronic diseases, the state of the body as a whole and the presence of other symptoms (pregnancy, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, etc.)etc.).
• In case of initial pain (if the person has never experienced such sensations in the lower abdomen on the left before), it is recommended to call an ambulance.
• If the pain has already declared itself earlier, the patient is able to make the decision on the advisability of seeking emergency medical care on his own – call an ambulance in case of a clear deterioration of the condition, call a local doctor at home if the condition is stable, or contact the clinic for a referral for examination for a short-term attack.

It is important to remember that even if the intensity of pain in the lower abdomen on the left is not high, this sensation may indicate the development of a serious illness.

Treatment of pain in the lower abdomen on the left

Of course, the treatment itself is not aimed at relieving the pain syndrome, but at eliminating its cause. Very often, patients suffering from left-sided pain in the lower abdomen require emergency medical care and hospitalization. Treatment can be both conservative (with the help of various drugs) and surgical.

Most often, patients with left-sided pain in the lower abdomen are treated by doctors of the following specialties:

• gynecologist;

• surgeon;
• traumatologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• infectious disease specialist.

As a rule, for an accurate diagnosis, examination and questioning of the patient, laboratory blood and urine tests, liver and pancreatic enzyme tests, as well as X-ray, ultrasound and endoscopic examinations are required.Based on the results of the examination, an individual treatment plan is developed for each patient.

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Left abdominal pain, possible diseases

90,000 Third trimester

Third trimester

What’s happening to you

By the 28th week of pregnancy the baby weighs up to 1000g and has a height of 35cm. An ultrasound examination shows that the child can smile, suck a finger, and grab a leg. During these periods of pregnancy, there is an intensive growth of the fetus, the formation of its muscles. Many moms celebrate. That the wiggling has become more active.

The fetus has already formed all the organs, in the future there is only weight gain and functional development of organs.

What changes are taking place in the mother’s body?

The uterus increases significantly, puts pressure on nearby organs – the bladder, rectum, ureters, pushes up the bowel loops. Stitching pains in the muscles of the legs may appear – due to the pressure of the uterus on the nerve plexuses.

The diaphragm rises, the woman’s breathing becomes shallow, with physical exertion, shortness of breath may occur.If you do not have chronic heart and lung diseases, then you should not be afraid of this. It is enough to do a few simple exercises – alternating deep inhalation with exhalation while sitting or lying down.

In the III trimester of pregnancy , the volume of circulating blood increases, the pulse quickens, since pregnancy is always an additional load on the cardiovascular system of the mother. Therefore, all women should remember that in the second half of pregnancy, it is necessary to control the level of blood pressure, the amount of salt consumed and the amount of fluid drunk.

At the eighth month (32 weeks) – the uterus is located between the sternum and the navel, the navel is smoothed.

At 36 weeks (9 obstetric months) of pregnancy the uterus reaches its maximum “rise” – its bottom is located at the costal arches.

At 36-37 weeks Your body begins to prepare for childbirth. The tissues of the vagina, the muscles of the pelvic floor, the cervix, and the cartilage of the pelvic joints become more elastic. There may be slight pains in the symphysis area, i.e.e. pubic articulation and lower back. The uterus begins to painlessly contract in response to fetal movements (up to 20 times a day, this is completely normal).

Then, at 40 weeks (10 obstetric months) , the woman gets the feeling that the uterus is sinking a little: this is because the baby, preparing for his exit, sinks lower and presses harder on the cervix.

Before childbirth, the baby’s head drops, presses against the pelvic bones, the pregnant woman notes that it has become easier to breathe.This is especially pronounced in primiparous women. If you are about to give birth for the second time, the belly may not go down for a long time or go down only with the onset of contractions. At the same time, another problem appears – frequent urination, also a sign that the head has dropped. This is especially tiring at night – you have to constantly get up. The only advice in this situation is not to drink a lot of fluids at night.

You may be disturbed

Heartburn. The growing uterus puts pressure on the intestines and stomach, which leads to the reflux of the stomach contents into the esophagus.This is not scary, but discomfort can be relieved by eating fractionally, in small portions. It is very useful in the morning to eat oatmeal porridge, which has an acid-binding effect and envelops the stomach. In addition, you do not need to go to bed immediately after eating, it is better to sit or walk around. If heartburn is severe, drink a weak solution of baking soda or any other coating preparation.

Swelling. If you notice swelling on the hands and feet, check the amount of fluid you drink and secreted.The amount of fluid released should be greater than the amount drunk, or at least equal. Herbs with a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect are very useful – lingonberry leaf, juniper fruits and leaves, bearberry, half-floor. Drinking these infusions instead of the usual tea helps prevent swelling and high blood pressure. Cranberry juice also has a disinfecting effect on the urinary tract, in addition, it acidifies the urine reaction. Which is very good, because bacteria do not live in an acidic environment.

Very important

• Measure blood pressure daily at home, in a familiar environment, so that there are no stressful influences in response to a visit to the doctor.
  
  Why is it important? If the pressure rises to 140/90, 135/90 mm. Hg and higher, then problems arise not only in the mother’s body – this is negatively reflected in the child.
  
  Remember: if you have headaches. Dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, unusual drowsiness and especially sudden visual impairment, flashing of flies before the eyes – it is necessary to urgently measure the pressure and immediately consult a doctor .
• Avoid lying on your back as dizziness and even loss of consciousness may occur. This is because when the uterus is compressed, the blood cannot flow through the vena cava to the right parts of the heart and the pressure decreases. Therefore, while lying down, take a position on your side, and you need to get up smoothly, not abruptly, first sit a little. You only need to lie on your side, preferably on your left.
• In case of heaviness in the lower abdomen and in the lower back, with frequent painless contractions of the uterus, the use of magnesium preparations, for example, Magne-B6, may be useful.Pain in the uterus cannot be tolerated or self-medicated, be sure to consult a doctor.
• At 34 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor will prescribe you cardiac monitoring of your baby, which is carried out every 7-10 days, more often if necessary.

This test records the baby’s heart rate and physical activity, on the basis of which the doctor draws conclusions about how the baby is feeling.

Weight gain

Weight gain in the third trimester should not exceed 300g per week.On average, the increase during pregnancy ranges between 10-12 kg, however, for each woman individually.

The total weight gain is:

• Fruit – 38%;
• Blood, excess fluid – 22%;
• Uterus, chest, buttocks, legs – 20%;
• Amniotic fluid – 11%;
• Placenta – 9%.

90,000 Pain in the buttock – possible causes

Contents

The buttocks are made up of muscles, adipose tissue and many different blood vessels and nerve endings, the damage of which is fraught with danger to the general health of a person.The occurrence of pain in the buttock may indicate various pathologies of muscle, nervous, connective or bone tissue. They, in turn, can be caused by an injury to the lumbosacral region, an infectious and inflammatory process, a disease of the muscles and ligaments of the gluteal region.

Painful sensations can arise both directly in the buttock itself, and be given to this zone with lesions of other organs (internal organs, spine, sacrum, coccyx). They can also spread to the entire lower limb, thigh, lower back, groin.

Depending on what was the root cause of pain in the buttock, the nature of the pain syndrome in this area can be very different. It can be either a barely perceptible discomfort or a rather excruciating pain. Therefore, professional diagnostics is so important – only by understanding what caused the pain sensations, it is possible not only to eliminate them, but also to cure the underlying disease and prevent its complications.

Why can there be pain in the buttock?

Let’s consider the main causes of pain in the gluteal region:

• Injury of the buttock. In case of impacts or falls, bruises of the soft tissues of the buttocks may occur, which are characterized by pain when sitting and pressing on the injured area. The movements also become painful. However, these pains usually go away after a few days. Much more dangerous are dislocations or fractures of the hips or pelvic region. In such cases, pain in the buttocks is unbearable, and any movements become impossible, and the only action in this case is to call an ambulance. There is also such a type of injury as dislocation or fracture of the tailbone.With it, a person can remain able to work, but may also experience pulsating and sharp pains. Usually, with injuries to the tailbone, the pain increases with prolonged sitting and getting up from the chair. May extend to the groin area.
• Incorrect execution of intramuscular injection. Sometimes, after an intramuscular injection into the buttock area, pain occurs that does not go away for a long time. This may be due to damage to nerve endings, blood vessels, non-resorption of the drug, penetration of infection along with the needle.With symptoms such as reddening of the skin of the buttocks at the injection site, throbbing pain, swelling, induration, an urgent need to consult a doctor, as this is fraught with the development of an abscess.
• Damage to the structures of the gluteal region. The following areas and components of this zone are subject to inflammatory processes:
  • Skin. Due to the penetration of pathogens, boils, ecthymas, ulcers can occur.
  • Subcutaneous fat. With a disease such as panniculitis, infiltrates can form that compress the blood vessels and nerves inside.
  • Muscle tendons. The pain is characterized by subsiding in the absence of movement and increasing when walking.
  • Sciatic nerve. Inflammation of the sciatic nerve – sciatica, occurs when this nerve is squeezed. The pain is felt in the entire gluteal zone and radiates to the leg, intensifies while sitting, and can “shoot through” while getting up from the chair.
  • Muscles. For example, a blow or incorrect injection technique can lead to hyperonus (persistent overstrain) of the piriformis muscle, which compresses the sciatic nerve and provokes sciatica.
  • Bone tissue. We are talking about a tuberculous infection, purulent, benign or malignant lesion. Pain in the buttock may initially be mild, but develop strongly as the underlying disease progresses.
• Osteochondrosis of the lumbar and sacral spine . The pain appears in the buttocks, lower back, hips, and radiates to the legs. Increases during walking and physical exertion. Hypertonicity may occur in the muscles of the buttocks.
• Increased load on the lower limbs. Usually the pain in this case is pulling, accompanied by the lower back and hips. Often occurs in people unaccustomed to serious physical exertion.

Diagnosis of the causes of pain in the buttocks and their treatment

Most often, this area is dealt with by surgeons, orthopedists, neurologists, traumatologists, and dermatologists. Initially, you can see a general practitioner, the therapist, who will refer you to an appropriate specialist.

To diagnose the cause of pain in the buttock apply:

• general analysis, biochemical blood test;
• tissue biopsy;
• study of synovial fluid;
• physical examination;
• radiography;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• computed tomography;
• ultrasound examination;
• electromyography;
• test of reflexes and strength in the lower limbs;
• tuberculin test.

Based on the results of the selected diagnostic complex, the patient can be assigned:

Contact the Shifa Medical Center!

In our medical center, we use the best diagnostic equipment of modern brands, which allows us to conduct accurate and reliable studies without making mistakes with the diagnosis. After finding out the causes of the painful syndrome in the buttock area, you will be prescribed competent and professional treatment.

reasons for what to do, whether to call a doctor if it hurts in the lower left abdomen

Why can there be pain in the left side of the abdomen and what to do in such cases?

Most often, the stomach hurts due to the so-called visceral pain ¹ .Its appearance is associated with spasm and / or stretching of smooth muscles, and, as a rule, it is difficult for a person to point out the exact place that hurts.

Pain profile

Abdominal pain can occur due to inflammation or circulatory disorders in the digestive system. Other reasons are obstruction or an increase in cavity pressure in the gastrointestinal tract, stretching or, conversely, contraction of the muscular apparatus of the organ caused by spasm ² .

Abdominal pain is divided into visceral, parietal, psychogenic and reflex pain ² .

Visceral pain

The cause of visceral pain can be functional disorders and organic changes in the organ. With functional disorders, this type of pain appears due to a decrease in the pain threshold and can cover all parts of the gastrointestinal tract ² . In diseases of the digestive tract, visceral pain can be provoked by stretching, lack of blood supply, or peristalsis. Usually the patient feels it in the midline of the abdomen and is not able to accurately indicate the painful point ² .

• The nature of visceral pain is cramping, with periods of subsiding and increasing pain. More often it can be described as aching, much less often – stabbing or burning.
• Inaccuracies in diet, alcohol intake and exposure to factors such as running, shaking, etc. can provoke pain in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• The severity of pain can be reduced by warming or taking antispasmodics ³ .

Parietal pain

Another type of pain is parietal.It differs from the visceral one: it has a distinct localization in the area of ​​the pathological process. Violent, excruciating, and aggravated by violent movements and coughing. It occurs due to irritation of the nerve receptors of the peritoneum, which covers the surface of the internal organs. It is projected onto the corresponding skin segments and is accompanied by muscle tension of the anterior abdominal wall ^{2, 3} .

Such pain, acute and intensifying, can be a sign of serious pathology, therefore, you should immediately consult a doctor ³ .

Reflex pain

Reflex pain is characterized by a reflection of sensations in areas of the body connected by common innervation with internal organs. It manifests itself in certain places on the surface of the body, which can be located remotely from the zone of the pathological process. Typical for the pathology of the stomach, biliary tract and bladder, pancreas, less common in bowel diseases ² .

Psychogenic pain

People with mental and emotional disorders may have psychogenic pain.Its feature is the absence of a pathological focus. Patients can complain for months or even years, while objective methods fail to identify objective, discomforting defects in the abdominal organs. The condition improves in conditions of psychological rest and during sleep ² .

The use of psychotropic drugs helps to alleviate the condition ²

What can hurt in the stomach on the left?

In the left half of the abdomen, discomfort can occur in a number of pathological conditions.The doctor will help determine the source of the painful sensation.

• So, for example, in diseases of the pancreas pain is concentrated in the upper abdomen, can spread like a belt or half-belt. When the tail of the pancreas is affected, pain syndrome occurs in the left hypochondrium ³ . The nature of the pain is different: from minor discomfort, which is usually described as “pulling, aching side”, to daily severe pain ^{3, 5} .It is usually associated with food intake and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion ^{3, 6} .
• Stomach ulcer. Pain in the epigastric region, which is often found in the disease, can radiate to the left half of the body: the scapula, chest, and also the thoracic or lumbar spine. Pain is associated with food intake and may be accompanied by sour belching, nausea, constipation during exacerbation of the disease ⁷ .

Diseases of the sigmoid colon can be accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen on the left or in the suprapubic region ^3.8 . Moreover, it may be accompanied by bleeding ^{3, 9}

• Spleen pathology. Develops in diseases of the blood, pathology of the connective tissue, infections and circulatory disorders in the organ. With an increase in the size of the organ, pain may appear in the upper left abdomen, sometimes radiating to the left shoulder. Most often, patients develop symptoms associated with the underlying disease causing splenomegaly ¹⁰ .
• Diseases of the urinary tract, for example the formation of stones in the ureters (ureterolithiasis). They are characterized by pain in the external genital area, lumbosacral region, inner surface of the right thigh ^{3, 11} . With urolithiasis, pain may occur after shaking a ride, physical activity, and drinking plenty of fluids. The nature and location depend on the position of the stone. Concomitant symptoms of renal colic are often blood in the urine, cramps during urination, increased urge, nausea or vomiting 90 360 11 90 361.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can develop much more often in women than in men. Pain in IBS can range from intense cramping pain to mild discomfort. The characteristic localization is in the lower abdomen, more often in the iliac region on the left, but can be noted in almost any department. An important distinguishing feature of pain in IBS is the absence of pain at night and subsiding after bowel movements or passing gas ¹² .

In women, the lower abdomen on the left can hurt with diseases of the reproductive organs – adnexitis, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy and others ¹³

Alarms

In some cases, if pain occurs in the left lower or left upper abdomen, urgent medical attention is needed. Dangerous symptoms that may indicate problems that require immediate medical attention include ³ :

• Severe, sharp pain that does not go away for 6 hours or longer;
• constantly increasing intensity of pain syndrome;
• dizziness, weakness;
• lowering blood pressure;
• increased heart rate;
• blood in vomit, feces;
• increase in body temperature;
• persistent vomiting;
• purulent and bloody vaginal discharge;
• signs of an acute abdomen, for example, tension in the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, non-discharge of gas and some others.

What to do?

If the above symptoms of anxiety appear, you must immediately call an ambulance. In other situations, you need to routinely consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist. These doctors will prescribe a comprehensive diagnosis of pathological conditions in which the lower abdomen on the left may hurt ³ .

Diagnostics include:

As well as an overview X-ray of the abdominal cavity, fluoroscopy of the stomach, gastroscopy, sigmoidoscopy, ultrasound, colonoscopy.With insufficient information content of these methods, in order to find out exactly why the left lower abdomen hurts, a computed tomography or diagnostic laparoscopy is prescribed ³ .

No-shpa ^® forte acts selectively on smooth muscle spasm as the main cause of abdominal pain ¹⁷ , helping to gently relax tense muscles ¹⁴

How can abdominal pain be relieved?

One of the methods of pain relief is the use of antispasmodics.