Left Lower Abdominal Pain

Left lower abdominal pain (left lower quadrant pain in medical terms) arises from organs located in this area, such as the last parts of the large intestine, the left urinary tract and, in women, the left ovary.

Its biggest difference from right lower abdominal pain is that this area is where the large intestine stores stool and prepares to expel it (the sigmoid colon). That is why, with left lower abdominal pain, the digestive system and bowel problems come to mind first.

1. The Most Common Bowel Causes

• Diverticulitis: The most classic cause of left lower abdominal pain in adults. Small pouches (diverticula) that form in the wall of the large intestine over time become blocked with stool or bacteria and inflamed. It causes fixed, constant and severe pain in the lower left abdomen. Fever, nausea and constipation or diarrhoea usually accompany it.
• Trapped wind and constipation: Because the last part of the large intestine bends in this area, wind and stool can easily collect here. Stretching of the bowel wall causes stabbing cramps on the lower left side. The pain eases noticeably after opening the bowels or passing wind.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A condition in which the bowel works irregularly, triggered by stress or certain foods. It shows itself in the lower left abdomen with bloating, cramps and the urge to open the bowels. The person feels relief after passing stool.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis): A chronic inflammation affecting the inner surface of the large intestine. It is characterised by cramps in the lower left quadrant, a frequent urge to go to the toilet, and bloody diarrhoea.

2. Urinary Tract and Kidney Causes

• Kidney stone or gravel: A stone from the left kidney becomes stuck in the left ureter, the channel that carries urine to the bladder. It causes very severe pain that comes in waves (colic), striking the lower left abdomen, the groin and the left side of the back. Burning or blood in the urine may accompany it.
• Urinary tract or bladder infection: When the infection settles in the left urinary tract, it causes an ache in this area, a frequent urge to pass urine, and a burning sensation when passing urine.

3. Causes Specific to Women

• Left ovarian cyst: Growth, twisting (torsion) or rupture of a cyst in the left ovary causes sudden, sharp or constant dull pain in the lower left abdomen.
• Ovulation pain (Mittelschmerz): A completely natural, mild ache lasting 1–2 days, caused by an egg being released from the left ovary in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
• Ectopic pregnancy: If the pregnancy implants in the left tube, severe pain on the lower left side and vaginal bleeding occur (it is an emergency).

Which Symptoms Mean You Should Go to the Emergency Department Without Delay?

If any of the following accompanies left lower abdominal pain, the situation may be too serious to wait at home:

• Pain that begins suddenly and is unbearably severe
• High fever, shivering and vomiting that will not stop
• A board-hard abdomen so tender it cannot even be touched
• Clearly visible blood in the stool or urine
• Dizziness, blacking out or a cold sweat