Lower abdominal pain can mean a lot of different things, from common ailments to more serious diseases. The cause of your pain might be something minor that could go away on its own, or it could be something that requires medical attention and treatment.
Since there are a number of different organs in your lower abdomen, there are a variety of things that could be at the root of your pain. Here are some of the potential causes of your lower abdominal pain:
Appendicitis
Your appendix is located in the lower right quadrant of your abdomen. When it becomes inflamed, it causes appendicitis. Some of the signs to look out for include:
- Pain near your navel that sharpens as it moves to the lower right side of your abdomen
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting
- Appetite loss
- Abdominal bloating
- Fever
- Gas with diarrhea or constipation
Appendicitis can be serious, even potentially fatal if untreated, so don’t ignore the warning signs.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Pain in your lower abdomen could be due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a disorder that impact your colon. Some of the potential signs for IBS may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Gas
- Cramps
- Bloated abdomen
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Keep in mind that IBS is a chronic condition, so long-term treatment may be needed.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
There are a number of inflammatory bowel diseases that could cause pain in your lower abdomen, including colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Some symptoms of colitis include:
- Abdominal pain
- Cramps
- Diarrhea with blood
- An urgent feeling like you need a bowel movement
- Nausea
- Losing weight
- Vomiting
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease could include:
- Consistent abdominal pain
- Losing weight
- Diarrhea
- Fever may occur
- Sometimes you might have blood in your stools
These particular inflammatory bowel diseases are more common in people under the age of 30, though they can occur in older people as well.
Urinary Issues
Problems in the urinary system could be the cause of your lower abdominal pain. Though there are a number of potential urinary issues that could be at fault, the most common is a urinary tract infection (UTI). The signs of a UTI could include:
- Burning sensation when urinating
- A frequent pressure that makes you feel like you need to urinate, though not much urine comes out
- Pain in the lower abdomen or back
- Pressure in the lower abdomen or back
- Urine that looks cloudy, bloody or dark or urine that smells strange
- Tired or shaky feeling
- Fever or chills
Though UTIs are common and easy to treat, you should seek medical attention right away, especially if you have a fever. UTIs can cause kidney damage, which can be very serious.
Next Steps When You Have Lower Abdomen Pain
Though some of the causes of lower abdominal pain are easy to treat, it is important to seek medical help right away so that it doesn’t lead to something worse. Your medical professional will be able to determine what is causing your pain and what you need to do to heal. Treatment will help you feel better sooner and lessen the risk of complications.
