Is a pinching pain in the lower left side of your abdomen bothering you? Such pain is a common condition in women known as pelvic pain. There can be many reasons behind this pain, and women should know these reasons. Ignoring pain in the lower abdomen can often lead to very serious consequences.
Causes of lower abdominal pain in women can range from menstrual cramps to bowel disorders. This phenomenon is mostly observed in women of all ages, from adulthood onwards. However, there can be some severe causes of pain in the lower abdomen. Therefore, pain should not be ignored; a doctor should be contacted immediately. Knowing more about it will help you prevent and manage the disorder.
Let's dive into this blog to learn more about this pain in the lower left side of the abdomen in females, its causes and possible treatment options.
Table Of Contents
1. What Is The Sharp Pain In The Lower Left Abdomen In Females?
2. How Do I Know If My Stomach Pain Is Serious?
3. What Causes Lower Left Abdominal Pain?
4. What Causes Lower Left Abdominal Pain In Females?
5. Treatment Options For Women With Pain In The Upper Left Side Of The Stomach
6. What Causes Pain In The Lower Right Abdomen?
7. Expert’s Advice
8. The Final Say
9. FAQs
10. References
What Is The Sharp Pain In The Lower Left Abdomen Of A Female?
Abdominal pain, also known as stomach ache or pain, can vary in intensity. There are many causes of pain in the upper, lower, correct, or left side of the stomach, some more serious than others, while many are harmless. Abdominal or stomach pain on the left side can be felt as sharp, localised, or intermittent pain. Left-sided stomach pain can also radiate to other body parts, causing shoulder and lower back pain.
Pain in the lower abdomen is one of the most common health problems for women of all ages. These cramps and aches, which are sometimes called pelvic discomfort, usually happen above the pelvic bone and below the belly button. A subtle ache to a strong pain can be the range of symptoms, depending on the disease producing the discomfort. Women's lower abdominal pain has no single cause. In many cases, the cause of this pain is not immediately apparent. For this reason, persistent pelvic discomfort can be an annoying ailment.
Also Read: 10 Benefits Of Eating Fruits On An Empty Stomach With 8 Choices!
How Do I Know If My Stomach Pain Is Serious?
If you have the following symptoms along with sharp abdominal pain and if your abdominal pain does not improve within 24 to 48 hours, it may be severe:
- Chest pain (seek medical attention immediately)
- Bloating or swelling that lasts more than a few days
- Injury or a recent accident
- Bloody or dark stools
- Vomiting of blood or dark material
- Changes in voiding
- Unexpected weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing
- Diarrhoea for more than five days
- Prolonged vaginal bleeding
- Fever over 100 degrees
- Burning sensation when urinating or frequent urination
These other conditions could indicate a more serious underlying cause requiring medical treatment.
Also Read: Workout For Crohn's Disease: Causes, Exercise Tips & Self-Care Routine
What Causes Lower Left Abdominal Pain?
Any of the above causes of unilateral abdominal pain may only affect the left side, but there are certain reasons why the pain may only be on the left side – particularly because the intestine is closer to the end of the digestive system.
1. Gas (Flatulence)
Entrapment, excessive wind, and bloating are common causes of pain on the left side. Gas accumulates in the digestive tract when air is swallowed or as a byproduct of intestinal bacteria breaking down food. Little gas is entirely normal, but having a lot of wind can indicate an underlying health problem.
Also Read: Consider These 5 Exercises Of Yoga For Acid Reflux Or GERD Treatment!
2. Polyps Or Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease can also affect the lower left side or cause generalised pain. Polyps are small wart-like lumps in the intestine, and diverticular disease is when the intestine forms small pockets that become inflamed and painful. Diverticulitis and polyps can cause diarrhoea and sometimes intestinal bleeding. If you notice blood in your poo or if your poo looks black and tarry, it's essential to talk to your doctor right away.
For better digestive health, take ToneOp Care’s Digest 360 tablets. These are made with 12 powerful enzymes that restore gut balance and prevent many digestive disorders, such as acidity, gas, bloating, and heartburn.
Also Read: Yoga For Digestive Health: Improve Gut Function And Relieve Discomfort
What Causes Lower Left Abdominal Pain In Females?
A woman's lower abdomen has two main organs, including the uterus (womb) and part of the intestine. Here are some of the potential causes of pain in this area.
1. Menstrual Pain
Menstrual pain is usually a cramping, dull or tightening pain in the middle of the lower abdomen, sometimes spreading further into the lower back. It can be very uncomfortable, but many people find that it can be managed with a hot water bottle and pain relievers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Lower abdomen pain in women and symptoms related to the urinary system, such as burning when urinating or needing to use the restroom frequently or urgently, can also be caused by urinary tract infections or water infections.
If you stay hydrated, mild urinary tract infections like cystitis disappear independently. Still, more persistent urinary tract infections may require a short course of antibiotics, which your GP can prescribe. More serious urinary tract infections can affect the kidneys, cause lower back pain on one or both sides and make you sick, sometimes with flu-like symptoms. If your symptoms are more severe or have recurring UTI symptoms, you must talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
3. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Infections in the reproductive system can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. An untreated disease in the reproductive tract can become severe and lead to long-term problems, so a doctor must treat it.
These kinds of infections are often caused by an underlying sexually transmitted infection (STI), so if you're sexually active, make sure you have regular sexual health checks. Pain during sex, spotting or discolouration, and foul-smelling discharge can be other symptoms of an STI or reproductive system infection that are common in females.
Also Read: How Do I Know If My Pelvic Floor Is Weak? Learn Pelvic Floor Exercises For Women!
Treatment Options For Women With Pain In The Upper Left Side Of The Stomach
If you have new or worsening lower left abdominal pain, it is essential to see your healthcare provider for treatment. Treatment options vary widely depending on the underlying cause of the pain. The following interventions may temporarily relieve the symptoms of lower left abdominal pain:
- Place a heating pad over the area.
- Place an ice pack on the surface.
- Take a warm bath or shower.
- Lie down or sit in a comfortable position supported by pillows.
- Drink warm herbal tea.
- Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Remove foods that cause gas or are acidic from your diet, and focus on healthy foods with a balanced diet plan.
What Causes Pain In The Lower Right Abdomen?
Here are the causes of pain in the lower right abdomen:
1. Appendicitis
The right lower abdomen contains the part of the intestine where the small intestine meets the large intestine. The appendix is a small part of the intestine where the intestines join, and it can sometimes become inflamed, swollen, and infected. Appendicitis is a painful disease of the intestines that causes intense pain in the lower right part of the abdomen - although the pain can also spread through the lower abdomen.
2. Muscle pain
Muscle pain can cause some cases of lower abdominal pain. A strained muscle from exercise or injury can be very painful, affect one or both sides or be more generalised in the lower abdomen. Sometimes, finding out how and when the muscle pain started is possible, so it is more manageable with regular pain medication and plenty of rest.
Also Read: 8 Effective Tips To Prevent Muscle Soreness After Exercise Easily!
3. Pregnancy
Pregnancy significantly changes a woman's body shape and strains the organs and muscles in the lower abdomen. In addition to general discomfort in this area, women often experience pain from contractions in the later stages of pregnancy, when the muscles are preparing for childbirth.
There are some less common causes of lower abdominal pain in pregnancy that can be more serious. If you experience any severe, sudden or unexplained pain or soreness along with unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding, seek emergency medical attention at the nearest hospital.
Also Read: 4 Effective And Safest Pelvic Floor Exercises For Pregnancy
4. Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy affects about 11,000 people every year. Affected women may have problems with one ovary or fallopian tube, leading to lower abdominal pain on one or both sides. This complication can also cause general or central pain in the lower abdomen, which is usually very severe.
Expert’s Advice
Abdominal pain is common in women. But what causes lower abdominal pain in women is a key question to consider. Most causes can be solved with simple home remedies and a healthy diet. However, some reasons may be severe medical conditions that require immediate diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, we strongly recommend you visit the nearest hospital with long-lasting pain in the lower abdomen.
Health Expert
Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
An urgent medical issue, such as appendicitis or an obstruction or leak in your intestines, could be the cause of your stomach pain. When stomach pain manifests as a hard stomach, vomiting, bleeding, dizziness, or fainting, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention.
If you are pregnant, undergoing cancer treatment or after abdominal surgery or an injury, don't wait. Go to the emergency room immediately. Call your doctor if you have other symptoms, such as fever or diarrhoea with stomach pain. It's possible that you have a medical issue that needs to be addressed. If not, you might attempt several at-home pain relief techniques.
FAQs
1. Why am I having a sharp pain in the lower left abdomen as a female?
Most lower abdominal pain to the left is benign and can be related to menstrual cramps, constipation, or gas. On the other hand, it may occasionally indicate a significant medical problem such as endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), inflammatory bowel illness, or infections.
2. What are the reasons for left-side stomach pain in males?
Food poisoning, allergies, constipation or diarrhoea, gas issues, indigestion, and other conditions can all result in left-sided stomach pain. Inflammation or Infection may also cause pain or discomfort when internal organs, such as the stomach, kidney, spleen, pancreas, or intestines, get infected.
3. What are the treatment options for lower left abdominal pain in females?
OTC analgesics (over-the-counter), like acetaminophen and NSAIDs, can be used at home for milder pain. Alternatively, depending on your health, you might need to take opioids or steroids on a prescription.
References
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/severe-stomach-pain-when-to-go-to-the-er-1945282
- https://www.starhealth.in/blog/lower-abdominal-pain-in-females
- https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/symptoms/left-side-stomach-pain
- https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/lower-left-abdominal-pain-causes-symptoms-treatment-options
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/lower-left-abdominal-pain-6835540#toc-how-to-treat-lower-left-abdominal-pain
- https://www.carehospitals.com/hi/symptoms/left-side-stomach-pain
- https://www.carehospitals.com/symptoms/left-side-stomach-pain
- https://www.livi.co.uk/your-health/what-causes-lower-abdominal-pain-in-women/
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