Pain in Lower Right Abdomen: 16 Possible Causes

Pain on the right side of the abdomen can be caused by conditions such as appendicitis, hernia, kidney issues, reproductive system issues, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, or even gas.

There are many possible reasons for discomfort in your right abdominal region. More often than not, pain in the lower right abdomen is nothing to worry about. It’ll go away on its own in a day or two.

If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort, though, you should see a doctor. They can assess your symptoms and make a diagnosis.

If you have lower right abdominal pain, you might be wondering if you need to go to the emergency room.

Most of the time, lower right abdominal pain isn’t serious. You should get immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing sudden, severe abdominal pain, or your abdominal pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

• a feeling of pressure in your chest
• pain in your chest, jaw, neck, or arm
• shortness of breath
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• difficulty or pain when swallowing
• sweating
• fever
• blood in your vomit or stool
• persistent nausea and vomiting
• skin or eye whites that appear yellow (jaundice)
• severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen
• unusual swelling of your abdomen
• black or tar-like stool
• persistent loss of appetite
• unusual weight loss

If you notice these symptoms, call 911 or local emergency services or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room. Treatment can help prevent these symptoms from becoming severe or life threatening.

Appendicitis

Your appendix is a small, thin tube that’s attached to your large intestine. When your appendix becomes inflamed, it’s known as appendicitis. This condition is a common cause of pain in the lower right abdomen.

The pain may come on suddenly and get worse when you move or breathe.

Other symptoms of appendicitis can include:

• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• abdominal swelling
• fever
• bowel problems, such as diarrhea, constipation, or being unable to pass gas

The condition often requires immediate medical attention. It’s possible for the inflamed appendix to burst, which can cause life threatening complications. So, if you’re experiencing symptoms of appendicitis, you should see a doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room.

While antibiotics can clear some cases of appendicitis, surgery is sometimes needed to remove the appendix (appendectomy).

Kidney infection

A kidney infection is caused by bacteria that usually come from your urinary tract. One or both of your kidneys could be affected by the infection.

Although you may feel pain in your lower abdomen, discomfort from a kidney infection more often occurs in your back or sides. You may also feel pain in your groin, but it’s less common.

Other symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• nausea or vomiting
• peeing more often than usual
• feeling like you need to pee, even if you just went
• pain or a burning feeling when you pee
• pus or blood in your urine
• urine that’s cloudy or smells bad
• diarrhea

When untreated, kidney infections can cause permanent damage and serious complications. If you think you could have a kidney infection, you should see a doctor right away.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are a hard buildup of minerals and salts that can form inside your kidneys. You may not feel any pain if the kidney stones are small. If a large kidney stone begins to move around or pass into the tube that connects your kidney and bladder, you may feel severe pain in your lower abdomen, back, side, or groin.

The intensity and location of the pain may change as the kidney stone shifts and moves through your urinary tract.

Other symptoms include:

• pain when you pee
• pink, red, or brown urine
• urine that’s cloudy or smells bad
• nausea
• vomiting
• feeling the constant need to pee
• peeing more often than usual
• fevers and chills, if infection is also present

If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor.

Hernia

A hernia happens when a part of your body pushes through the lining or muscle that holds it in place. Most hernias happen in the abdomen. They can cause pain or discomfort in the affected area.

Other common symptoms include:

• swelling or bulging on part of your belly
• pain while lifting, laughing, crying, coughing, or straining
• feeling full or constipated

Sometimes, a hernia can cause complications. If you have a hernia and any of the following symptoms, get emergency care right away:

• sudden, severe pain
• inability to pass gas (fart) or have a bowel movement
• vomiting
• a change in the feeling or position of your hernia, for example, if it becomes harder, or you can no longer push it back in

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common long-term condition that affects your digestive system. It affects up to 12 percent of people in the United States.

IBS can cause:

• abdominal pain
• changes to your bowel movements, in the form of diarrhea, constipation, or both
• bloating
• the feeling that you haven’t fully completed a bowel movement
• mucus in the stool

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes IBS, though it appears to be related to interactions between your gut and your brain.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

IBS shouldn’t be confused with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a group of serious digestive disorders that cause changes in bowel tissue and increase your risk of colorectal cancer.

There are two types of IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both conditions cause inflammation within your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain.

IBD can also cause:

• severe diarrhea
• constipation
• the feeling that you need to pass stool, even when you’ve just gone
• the feeling that you haven’t finishing passing stool
• weight loss
• nausea and vomiting
• fever
• blood in your stool

IBD can lead to life threatening complications if left untreated. You should see a doctor immediately if you notice symptoms of IBD.

Indigestion

Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is a group of digestive symptoms. It typically happens after you eat or drink something, but it can happen at other times too. Pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen, though it may also be felt lower down. It may feel sharp, dull, or like burning.

Symptoms of indigestion also include:

• bloating
• feeling unusually full after eating a small amount
• nausea
• gas
• burping
• food or bitter-tasting fluids coming back up

Mild indigestion should go away fairly quickly and can usually be treated at home. If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, you should see a doctor to rule out underlying digestive issues.

Gas

Intestinal gas is air and other gases found in your entire digestive tract. It’s often caused by food that’s not broken down completely until it reaches your colon.

The more undigested food present, the more gas your body will produce. As gas builds up, it can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and a “knotted” feeling in your stomach.

Burping and passing gas (farting) usually provide relief. In fact, it’s typical for a person to expel gas up to 30 times a day.

However, excessive gas can sometimes be a symptom of a digestive disorder, such as IBS, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or lactose intolerance.

Intestinal gas can also happen from time to time when you swallow more air than usual, for example, due to overeating, chewing gum, or smoking.

Menstrual cramps

Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, are a symptom of menstruation. They can happen before or during your period. The cramps are most often felt on either or both sides of the lower abdomen, which is where your uterus is contracting to get rid of its lining.

Along with pain, other symptoms can include:

• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• headaches
• dizziness

Endometriosis

Although cramps are a common symptom of menstruation, they can also be caused by an underlying issue such as endometriosis. Endometriosis is a long-term (chronic) condition where cells that usually line the uterus, called endometrial cells, grow outside the uterus.

In addition to severe cramps and lower abdominal pain, endometriosis can cause:

• pain during sex
• pain during peeing or bowel movements
• heavy periods

Endometriosis can cause significant symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to infertility. If you suspect endometriosis may be the reason for your abdominal pain, see a doctor. The sooner the condition can be treated, the less likely complications are.

Ovarian cyst

Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid found on the ovary. Many cysts don’t cause pain or discomfort, and they may eventually disappear on their own. A large ovarian cyst, especially if it ruptures, can lead to serious symptoms.

These include:

• dull or sharp lower abdomen pain
• full or heavy feeling in your abdomen
• pain during sex or exercise

You should see a doctor right away if you have sudden and severe abdominal pain, or if your pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

• fever
• vomiting
• cold and clammy skin
• rapid breathing
• weakness

A ruptured ovarian cyst can be a life threatening condition if it isn’t treated promptly.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus.

In addition to abdominal pain, symptoms can include:

• vaginal bleeding or brown discharge
• pain where your shoulder ends and your arm begins
• painful peeing or bowel movements

If the ectopic pregnancy ruptures your fallopian tube, you may also experience:

• dizziness
• fatigue
• sudden paleness
• nausea

A ruptured fallopian tube is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is often caused by a bacterial infection, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Many of the infections that cause PID are transmitted during sex, but not all, such as bacterial vaginosis.

PID can cause pain in your lower abdomen, as well as:

• unusual vaginal discharge that may have a bad odor
• fever
• nausea or vomiting
• pain during sex
• burning when you pee

Ovarian torsion

Ovarian torsion happens when your ovary, and sometimes fallopian tube, becomes twisted, cutting off the organ’s blood supply. The condition is also known as adnexal torsion, and can cause severe lower abdominal pain.

Other symptoms include:

• nausea or vomiting
• abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
• fever

These symptoms may come and go if the ovary twists and untwists. Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency, and surgery is often required to untwist the ovary.

Inguinal hernia

An inguinal hernia happens when fat or part of the small intestine pushes through a weak part of your lower abdomen. It’s the most common type of hernia. People assigned male at birth are most likely to experience this condition.

If you have an inguinal hernia, you may notice a bulge in your groin area between your thigh and lower abdomen, or in your scrotum.

Other symptoms include heaviness, aching, or burning in the groin. Your discomfort may be worse when straining, lifting, coughing, or standing. You may feel better when you rest.

Sometimes the hernia can become stuck or strangulated. This can be a life threatening condition. If you notice the following changes, get emergency medical care:

• the hernia bulge suddenly gets larger
• the hernia bulge stops going back into your abdomen (if it used to go back in)
• fever
• redness around the hernia
• a sudden increase in pain
• bloating, nausea, or vomiting

Testicular torsion

Testicular torsion happens when your testicle twists around the spermatic cord, which is a bundle of tissues that runs through your abdomen. This twisting can cut off blood flow to your testicle, leading to sudden and severe pain and swelling in your scrotum.

Other symptoms include:

• unusual redness or darkening of your scrotum
• nausea or vomiting
• uneven testicle position
• fever

Testicular torsion usually requires emergency surgery.

You should make an appointment to see a doctor if your lower right abdominal pain lasts more than a few days or causes you any concern. You can connect to a physician in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.

In some cases, abdominal pain can have a serious underlying cause. If you have severe symptoms, get emergency care right away.

Mild cases of abdominal pain can usually be treated at home. For example, changing your eating habits can help prevent gas and indigestion, while certain pain relievers can help control menstrual cramps.

Abdominal Pain – Unexplained | Cedars-Sinai

ABOUT

TREATMENT

Overview

Pain and other abdominal symptoms can signal any number of problems. These range from indigestion to cancer.

Symptoms

Some of the more serious conditions associated with abdominal pain include:

• Acute pancreatitis may cause general, constant and worsening pain in the upper abdomen. Sometimes the pain moves to the upper back. Other possible symptoms are weakness, shortness of breath and nausea.
• Appendicitis starts as general abdominal pain that settles into the lower right side.
• Biliary colic can cause a steady ache in the upper right abdomen. Sometimes the pain spreads to the upper back. Patients may also experience nausea and vomiting.
• Crohn’s disease can present symptoms similar to appendicitis. These include pain in the lower right side and bloody diarrhea.
• Diverticulitis can cause moderate pain in the lower left side of the abdomen that grows worse over time.
• Gallstones may produce severe, cramping pain in the lower right part of the abdomen. Pain may spread to the back.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes a burning sensation or discomfort after eating. This occurs especially when the patient is lying down or bending over. GERD may also produce pain in the chest that awakens the patient at night. Other symptoms can be very similar to those of a heart attack.
• Hepatitis may cause pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea and vomiting.
• Pancreatic cancer may produce the same symptoms as pancreatitis.

Treatment

New technologies, such as video cameras that can be swallowed, are now available. These cameras can help diagnose gastrointestinal problems, including unexplained abdominal pain, bleeding with an unknown cause or anemia.

The tiny video camera is swallowed and then eliminated in about 24 hours. The camera sends data to receivers placed on the patient’s body. A recorder worn on the patient’s belt collects the data. Using special software, the doctor can process the data and produce a video with information from the digestive tract. The camera itself is disposable. Patients can continue normal daily activities while the camera is working.

© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

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Why did the pain appear in the right side and what to do about it?

A person’s frequent habit of not paying attention to pain can be fatal, because it can be the first signal of a disease: serious or even fatal. The reasons why pain appeared in the right side and when it is worth contacting a gastroenterologist in Zaporozhye are further in the article.

1. Appendicitis

Inflamed appendicitis gives the first signal about itself precisely pain in the right side . It is easy to confuse with a simple poisoning “I ate something wrong”, but in reality it is several times more serious. The solution is to call an ambulance. Especially if, in addition to pain on the right side of the abdomen, you have a fever, nausea and vomiting, and bloating.

2. Ovarian cyst

Accompanied by pain on the right (pain in the ovary) or in the pelvic area. In addition, irregular menstruation, pain during PA, frequent trips to the toilet are possible as a result. In this case, a consultation with a gynecologist is necessary.

3. Constipation

4. Liver disease

Pain can appear even when the organ is so enlarged that the capsule begins to stretch.

5. Menstruation

6. Irritable bowel

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a chronic disease that will constantly remind of itself. The reason is the gases that collect in the intestines. To relieve periodic pain, you should consult with a gastroenterologist.

7. Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease can also cause pain, cramps and swelling. There is also weight loss, bloody diarrhea, and a feeling of weakness. In this case, you should immediately contact a gastroenterologist so as not to start the case.

8. Ectopic pregnancy

Pain: sharp, stabbing. Call an ambulance immediately.

9. Urinary canal infection

In addition to abdominal pain possible: burning during urination, pain in the lower abdomen and convulsions. For consultation, we advise you to make an appointment with a urologist.

10. Stones in the gallbladder

They can also cause pain in the abdomen on the right side . Namely – constantly increasing on the right in the upper part, extending to the chest, shoulder and between the shoulder blades.

11. Kidney stones

This is a severe pain in the right lower abdomen 0004 . It has the character of spasms: it intensifies, then decreases. You can solve the problem with the help of a urologist.

12. Duodenal ulcer

This is a serious disease that also requires immediate consultation with a gastroenterologist. In addition to pain, bloating, heartburn, belching, and a feeling of heaviness can also manifest themselves.

As a reminder: any, in your opinion, unprovoked, recurring or severe pain in the right side requires a consultation with a doctor. Specialists in ambulance, gastroenterologist, urologist, gynecologist, ultrasound doctor. Do not start and do not postpone – your health will not keep silence and patience, but only spoil it!

Pain in the lower abdomen on the right – it hurts on the right side of the lower abdomen: causes, treatment

On the right, in the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space, there are several important organs – the right kidney, liver, gallbladder, and in women – the ovary and fallopian tube. And when there is pain in the right side of the abdomen, it is logical to assume that some of these organs may experience “malfunctions” ^1,2 . At the same time, some of the conditions in which the stomach hurts on the right can be acute and require immediate medical attention, especially if not only abdominal pain is noted, but also fever, vomiting, nausea and a number of other symptoms ¹ .

Why does the stomach hurt on the right side, when it is important to urgently consult a doctor and how can the pain be relieved? You will find answers in this material.

Characteristics of the pain syndrome

Determination of the nature of abdominal pain helps to orientate in the causes of the pain syndrome and make a correct diagnosis ^{1, 3} .

Most often, abdominal pain is caused by spasm or stretching of smooth muscles, tension of the organ capsule, or vascular disorders ^{1, 3} . It is characterized by indistinct localization, that is, it is difficult to say exactly where it hurts. In this case, the pain often resembles colic, periodically increases sharply, and then disappears. It is often accompanied by symptoms of indigestion, including nausea, bloating, flatulence, heartburn, and others ^{1, 3} . Discomfort, weakness and malaise may occur ⁴ .

In acute conditions, pain in the abdomen on the right often appears suddenly, it is intense, strong, often forcing to take a forced posture. The pain is projected onto the corresponding area of ​​the skin of the abdomen and is accompanied by a spasm of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall ⁵ . The condition is combined with weakness, chills, sometimes nausea and vomiting, which appear after the pain syndrome ¹ .

Painful sensations in “acute abdomen” have a clear location and increase with a change in posture, coughing, sneezing ^{1, 5} . If you experience such pain in the abdomen, especially if it is accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, you should immediately seek medical help
¹ .

Why can the stomach hurt on the right side?

Similar pains can occur in connection with some diseases. Let’s consider their reasons in more detail ² .

Diseases of the biliary tract

Pain in the abdomen on the right side may manifest biliary colic. Pain with it is localized in the right hypochondrium and epigastrium
(upper abdomen), sometimes extending into the shoulder blade ^{1, 2} . It should be noted that when
occurrence
biliary colic, it is important to consult a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Biliary colic is one of the main manifestations of acute cholecystitis on the background of cholelithiasis ¹ . The cause of cholecystolithiasis is gallstones from cholesterol crystals, salts and other substances,
that block the cystic duct of the gallbladder. This leads to increased pressure in the bile ducts and
occurrence of spasms. In addition, stones and crystals can irritate the lining of the bladder and bile ducts ^{6, 17, 18} .

As a result, a pain syndrome appears – from weak to strong. Sometimes it is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, but
symptoms of intoxication (fever, weakness) are often absent ⁶ . Pain arises
suddenly and lasts from 15 minutes to several hours. The frequency of attacks is also different: from daily to once a day.
year or even less frequently ⁶ .

Pain associated with biliary spasm may benefit from antispasmodic drugs ¹ . For example, the active ingredient of drugs No-shpa ^®
and No-shpa ^® forte – drotaverine helps to relax the smooth muscles of the internal
organs (including the biliary tract), helping to relieve pain ^{7, 22} .

Soreness on the right in the hypochondrium can be associated not only with cholelithiasis, but also with others
diseases of the biliary tract, for example, with cholecystitis or papillitis ¹ .

Diseases of the pancreas

Pain usually occurs when this organ becomes inflamed and can be felt in several places. For example, when damaged
of the head of the gland it is felt in the right hypochondrium, sometimes taking on a girdle character ¹ .
Some are disturbed by pulling and
aching pain in the back ¹ .

Pancreatic pain may increase when the person lies down, but usually gets better when the person is lying down.
sitting position, because the tension of the capsule of the gland decreases ¹ .

Pain in diseases of the pancreas can be constant and painful. Their strengthening can
provoke the nature of food and drinks taken: with alcoholic pancreatitis, complaints become more intense after
taking spicy and acidic foods, and with inflammation of the pancreas associated with damage to the ductal system,
– after eating fatty foods ⁸ .

Also, the pathology of the pancreas is characterized by weakness, irritability, insomnia, falling
performance. On the part of the digestive tract, nausea, vomiting without a sense of relief may occur,
bloating, alternating diarrhea and constipation ⁸ .

Recently, the incidence of pancreatitis has been steadily increasing due to the use of
alcohol ⁸ .

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

This condition is not associated with a change in the structure of organs and systems. However, pain in irritable bowel syndrome
observed almost always and is generally a common symptom. Women generally suffer from IBS more often than men.
Pain (moderate to severe) can cover the lower abdomen, including the right section, but more often still
localized on the left ⁹ . Often, IBS develops against the background of psycho-emotional disorders ¹⁰ .

Symptoms of the disease usually subside in the evening and do not bother patients at night. Pain in some cases extends into
upper part of the abdomen, extends to the rectum and epigastric region ^9-11 . An important role in
formation of complaints plays
intestinal motility disorder, accompanied by spasm. As part of the complex therapy of IBS, antispasmodics can be used
(for example, No-shpu ^® and No-shpu ^® forte), which helps to reduce pain ^{7, 12, 22} .

Diseases of the urinary tract

Pain on the right can be caused by urolithiasis. If the right ureter is affected, it may hurt on the right in the abdomen and
lower back ^{1, 2}
genitals, internal
thigh surface. If the stone is located in the lower third of the right ureter, the person is worried about constant painful
urge to urinate ^{2, 13} . The pain is usually undulating in nature, and
with spasms
diseases of the urinary tract may be indicated for the use of antispasmodics, for example
No-shpa ^® or No-shpa ^® forte ^{7,
13, 16, 22} . The discharge of a stone or sand from the ureter is often manifested by pain, an admixture of blood in the urine ¹³ .

Pain in the lower abdomen on the right side in women

On the right, women have the right uterine appendages: fallopian tube and ovary. In inflammatory diseases of the organs
the pelvis may hurt in the lower abdomen on the right. Pain in a chronic process is aching, spreads to the lower back and
suprapubic area, often combined with urination disorders. Exacerbations may be accompanied by chills,
nausea, sometimes vomiting, discharge from the genital tract ^{2, 14} .

If the lower abdomen on the right began to hurt suddenly and sharply, it may be a rupture or torsion of the cyst leg,
ectopic pregnancy. The right lower abdomen hurts sharply, sometimes leading to fainting, the pain often radiates to
rectum. At the same time, patients try not to move, so as not to increase the pain. Gradually may
join signs of intoxication and circulatory disorders: pallor, cold sticky sweat, nausea and vomiting,
palpitations, spotting sometimes appears from the genital tract ^{2, 14} .
Of course, when the
similar symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

It can periodically hurt in the right lower abdomen, due to the connection with the menstrual cycle. Pain during menstruation may be
as cramping or be aching and bursting. Often they occur in the lower abdomen, and then
spread to the back, inner thighs, rectum ^19-21 .

Acute appendicitis

Perhaps this is the first pathology that a person thinks about when pain appears in the lower abdomen on the right. Pain in this
case does not go away, arising near the navel, shifts down with time ^{1, 2, 15} . By
sensations may begin as
dull, gradually becoming jerking, cutting, burning. A person’s health worsens, symptoms appear
digestive disorders: vomiting, bloating, constipation, sometimes diarrhea ¹⁵ .

Acute appendicitis is treated surgically, if similar symptoms appear, immediately
call an ambulance ¹ .

Which doctor should I contact if I have pain in the right lower abdomen?

First of all, you should contact a general practitioner or gastroenterologist. You should tell your doctor in detail about
circumstances of occurrence and characteristics of pain, painkillers taken.