Lower abdominal pain? What to do and when to worry

Lower abdominal pain is one of those symptoms that can mean many things—from something minor like gas to a true emergency like appendicitis.

If you’re experiencing lower abdominal pain, the key is understanding where it is located, what it feels like and what other symptoms are happening alongside it. Those clues can help you figure out what’s going on and decide when you can manage at home versus when it’s time to get care.

What causes lower abdominal pain?

There are many possible causes of lower abdominal pain, ranging from minor to urgent. The lower abdomen is home to parts of your digestive system, urinary tract and, depending on your sex, reproductive organs. Pain can originate from any of these, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact cause.

Here are some of the most common associated symptoms of lower abdominal pain:

• Gas or bloating
• Change in bowel habits
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Nausea/vomiting
• Blood in urine or painful urination
• Menstrual changes

More serious and urgent causes of lower abdominal pain include:

• Appendicitis
• Hernias
• Obstruction of the intestines
• Ischemia (loss of blood flow) to an organ like the intestine or an ovary
• Diverticulitis
• Ectopic pregnancy

More often, there are less urgent causes, including:

• Bowel gas
• Constipation
• Gastroenteritis (Intestinal virus)
• Muscle strain
• Bladder infection
• Food intolerance

For women, menstrual cramps, ovulation pain, ovarian cysts and endometriosis can also cause lower abdominal pain.

So, how can you know what is causing your lower abdominal pain? It’s helpful to distinguish between lower left abdominal pain and lower right abdominal pain, as the location of the pain is an important clue.

Related: Could an ovarian cyst be causing your pelvic pain?

Lower left abdominal pain

Lower left abdominal pain is often linked to the digestive system, especially the large intestine.

One of the most common culprits is constipation. When stool builds up in the colon, it can cause cramping and discomfort that tends to sit on the left side. Gas can create a similar sensation, sometimes sharp or shifting.

Another frequent cause is diverticulitis, which happens when small pouches in the colon become inflamed or infected. This typically causes steady pain on the lower left side, often paired with fever, nausea or changes in bowel habits.

Other possible causes of lower left abdominal pain include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS (pain often improves after a bowel movement)
• Kidney stones (especially if pain radiates to the back)
• Urinary tract infections (bladder/kidney Infections)
• Colitis, which can be infection, inflammatory or ischemic (meaning loss of blood flow)

For women, gynecologic causes like ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion (loss of blood flow) or endometriosis can also show up on the left side.

The important thing to note is how your pain behaves. Mild, crampy pain that improves after a bowel movement is usually less concerning than pain that’s persistent, worsening or accompanied by fever.

Lower right abdominal pain

Lower right abdominal pain should always be taken seriously, mainly because of the possibility of appendicitis.

Appendicitis often starts as a vague discomfort near the belly button before shifting to the lower right side. The pain usually becomes sharper and more constant over time. It may also come with nausea, vomiting, fever or loss of appetite.

This is one situation where you do not want to wait it out. Appendicitis can worsen quickly and may require surgery.

That said, not all lower right abdominal pain is an emergency. Other possible causes include:

• Gas or constipation
• Muscle strain
• Kidney stones
• Gastroenteritis
• Urinary tract infections (Bladder/Kidney Infections)
• Crohn’s disease

In women, right-sided pain may also be related to:

• Ovulation (sometimes called “mittelschmerz”)
• Ovarian cysts
• Ectopic pregnancy (a medical emergency)

Because the right side includes several structures that can become urgent problems, it is especially important to pay attention to worsening pain or additional symptoms.

What to do about lower abdominal pain

If you’re trying to figure out how to reduce abdominal pain, your next steps depend on how severe the pain is and what else is happening with your body. While at home remedies can help in many cases, it’s important to be able to recognize when it’s time to see a doctor.

At-home remedies

If your lower abdominal pain is mild, short-lived and not getting worse, you can start with a few simple at-home strategies.

• Hydrate: Drinking water can ease constipation and help your digestive system move more smoothly.
• Apply heat: A heating pad or warm bath can relax muscles and reduce cramping, especially for menstrual-related pain.
• Move: Gentle movement, like walking, can help relieve gas buildup.
• Try medications: Over-the-counter medications for pain or bloating can relieve the pain.
• Eat smart: Try eating smaller, lighter meals and avoid trigger foods if you suspect a sensitivity.

If constipation is the issue, eating more fiber gradually can help—but going too fast can actually make bloating worse, so be sure and take it slow. Fibermaxxing won’t do you any favors here.

When to call your doctor

Not all cases of lower abdominal pain need a doctor, but sometimes it’s a good idea. So, how can you know when to get care?

You should consider calling your doctor for lower abdominal pain if:

• Pain lasts more than a few days
• Pain keeps coming back
• You have a fever, nausea or vomiting
• You notice changes in bowel habits
• Pain occurs with urination
• Blood in stool or urine
• You have unexplained weight loss

For women, it’s also important to seek care for unusual pelvic pain (different from your typical menstrual cramps), a change in vaginal discharge or significant changes in menstrual flow.

Your provider may recommend tests like blood work, imaging or urinalysis to pinpoint the cause. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the fastest way to find relief, especially if something more complex is going on.

Related: What is considered a fever? A simple guide for adults and children

Signs it is an emergency

While many causes of lower abdominal pain are not a serious cause for concern, there are a few symptoms that signal a medical emergency. If you notice any of the following symptoms alongside your lower abdominal pain, go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room:

• Sudden, severe pain that does not improve
• Pain with high fever
• Persistent vomiting
• Signs of dehydration, like decreased urine output or dark urine
• A rigid or hard abdomen
• Blood in stool or vomit
• Fainting or dizziness

Severe lower right abdominal pain should always be taken seriously due to the risk of appendicitis. Also, if you’re pregnant, any significant abdominal pain should be evaluated right away to rule out complications.

Not sure where to go for care? Use our symptom checker for help when you’re not feeling well.