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Published on: 8/20/2026

Why might I experience pain in my left lower abdomen?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Left lower abdominal pain is a common symptom with many possible causes, ranging from mild digestive issues like gas, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome to more serious conditions such as diverticulitis, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or gynecological problems like ovarian cysts. Because the left lower abdomen contains parts of the colon, left kidney, ureter, and reproductive organs in women, accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

Since symptoms can overlap between minor and serious conditions, it's difficult to know on your own whether your pain requires urgent care, a routine doctor's visit, or simple at-home management. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly narrow down possible causes, understand urgency, and confidently plan your next steps before speaking with a healthcare provider.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Pain in the left lower abdomen, also known as left lower quadrant pain, can happen for several reasons. It can be due to problems with the digestive system, such as diverticulitis, which is an infection or inflammation of small pouches in the intestine. Other possible causes include kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or even issues related to the reproductive organs, like ovarian cysts.

Here are some common causes of left lower abdominal pain:

  1. Digestive Issues: Problems like diverticulitis or constipation can cause pain.
  2. Infections: Urinary tract infections or kidney infections may lead to discomfort.
  3. Reproductive System: Conditions such as ovarian cysts or ectopic pregnancy in women can be painful.

If you experience this type of pain, it's important to identify what might be causing it. You can start by taking a free symptom checker test to help understand potential causes and determine whether you should seek immediate medical care. Remember, while some causes may be minor, others can be serious and need immediate attention.

(References)

  • Hollerweger A, Macheiner P, & Gritzmann N. (2003). Acute left lower quadrant abdominal pain. Ultraschall in der Medizin (Stuttgart, Germany : 1980), 12599037.

  • Bodmer NA, & Thakrar KH. (2015). Evaluating the Patient with Left Lower Quadrant Abdominal .... Radiologic clinics of North America, 26526432.

  • Expert Panel on Gastrointestinal Imaging:, Galgano SJ, McNamara MM, Peterson CM, Kim DH, Fowler KJ, et al. (2019). ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Left Lower Quadrant Pain .... Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR, 31054740.

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