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Published on: 7/15/2026
Left side pain under the ribs in females can result from several conditions, including slipping rib syndrome, intercostal neuralgia, or Nutcracker syndrome, which compresses a vein near the left kidney. Other possible causes include gastritis, spleen issues, pancreatitis, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis affecting nearby tissues. Because symptoms often overlap and range from mild to serious, identifying the cause early is important for effective treatment and peace of mind. The fastest way to narrow down what's happening is to take a free, instant, online symptom check—it uses your specific symptoms to suggest likely conditions and helps you decide the right next step, whether that's home care or seeing a doctor.
Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026
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Submit your own QuestionThere 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, you can start by using a free symptom checker to help identify possible causes, though it's always 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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