Lower abdominal pain can come from gas, constipation, menstrual cramps, urinary tract infection, or appendicitis. Seek urgent care for severe pain, fever, or vomiting.
Common causes
- Gas or constipation.
- Menstrual cramps.
- Urinary tract infection.
- Ovarian cyst.
- Appendicitis (often right side).
- Hernia.
- Endometriosis.
- IBS.
Home care
Heat, fluids and rest.
See a doctor
If pain persists or worsens.
Emergency
Severe pain with fever, vomiting or pregnancy. Call 911.
Where the pain comes from
The lower abdomen holds the intestines, bladder, appendix and reproductive organs. Common causes are gas, constipation, urinary tract infection, menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, hernias and irritable bowel syndrome. Appendicitis often starts near the navel and moves to the lower right abdomen over 12 to 24 hours, and affects about 7 percent of people in their lifetime.
- Kidney stones cause severe pain that comes in waves and radiates to the groin.
- Ectopic pregnancy causes one-sided pain with missed period and spotting.
- Diverticulitis typically causes left lower pain with fever, and affects older adults.
- Inguinal hernias cause a bulge and ache that worsens with lifting.
Care and warning signs
Rest, fluids and a heating pad ease mild pain. Avoid laxatives or painkillers if appendicitis is suspected. Go to the emergency room for severe or worsening pain, fever, vomiting, rigid belly, blood in stool or urine, fainting or pregnancy. Persistent pain over a few days merits a doctor visit for exam, urine test and imaging.
Where the pain comes from
Lower abdominal pain may come from the bowel, bladder, appendix, ovaries, uterus, hernia or muscles. Common causes include gas, constipation, UTI, menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts and appendicitis.
Care and warning signs
Seek urgent care for severe pain, fever, vomiting, blood in urine or stool, pregnancy with pain, or a rigid abdomen. Mild pain may ease with rest, heat and fluids.
Organs and conditions by location
Right lower pain may suggest appendicitis, ovarian cysts or hernia. Left lower pain is associated with diverticulitis, which affects about 10 percent of people over 40. Central lower pain suggests bladder infection or uterine causes. Constipation, gas and IBS are common benign causes.
Diagnosis and warning signs
Doctors use urinalysis, pregnancy tests, ultrasound and CT. Emergency symptoms include sudden severe pain, fever, vomiting, a rigid abdomen, fainting, or pain in pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is life threatening. Mild pain may respond to heat and rest. Keep a symptom diary including relation to periods, meals and bowel movements.
Based on data from the Mayo Clinic and the American College of Emergency Physicians
