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Published on: 4/7/2025

What Might Cause Left Side Pain under the Ribs in Females?

In females, left side pain under the ribs can come from issues like slipping rib syndrome, intercostal neuralgia, or even Nutcracker syndrome, which affects blood vessels near the kidney.

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Explanation

There are several reasons you might feel pain under your left ribs. One common cause is slipping rib syndrome. This happens when one of your ribs moves or shifts out of place, which can hurt a lot. Another possibility is intercostal neuralgia, where the nerves between your ribs become irritated or stretched, causing sharp or burning pain. Although it is less common, Nutcracker syndrome could also be a reason. This condition involves the squeezing of blood vessels near the kidney and sometimes causes pain that spreads to the rib area or even the lower back. All these conditions affect parts of the body near your ribs in different ways. Because the cause of the pain can be different for each person, it is important to pay attention to what the pain feels like, how long it lasts, and if you have any other symptoms. If this pain bothers you or gets worse, it is a good idea to speak with a doctor so they can run tests and help you feel better.

(References)

  • Berthelot JM, Douane F, Maugars Y, Frampas E. Nutcracker syndrome: A rare cause of left flank pain that can also manifest as unexplained pelvic pain. Joint Bone Spine. 2017 Oct;84(5):557-562. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2016.10.006. Epub 2016 Dec 5. PMID: 27932281.

  • Mekhail FG, Montgomery JR, Spicer PJ. Slipping rib syndrome presentation in a young woman. Radiol Case Rep. 2022 Sep 17;17(11):4376-4378. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.08.076. PMID: 36188090; PMCID: PMC9520504.

  • Fazekas D, Doroshenko M, Horn DB. Intercostal Neuralgia. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

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