That Nagging Pain in Your Lower Left Abdomen? Here's What It Might Mean.

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Lower left abdominal pain has many possible causes. Common culprits include intestinal issues such as diverticulitis, constipation, gas, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In people with ovaries, conditions like ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or ectopic pregnancy may be responsible. Other causes include kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or a hernia.

Because symptoms can overlap across many conditions—some minor and some serious—self-diagnosing is difficult and potentially risky. The fastest way to narrow down what may be causing your pain is to take a free, instant, online symptom check. In just a few minutes, you'll receive personalized insights based on your specific symptoms, helping you understand possible causes and decide whether home care, a doctor's visit, or urgent care is the right next step.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

When you have pain on the lower left side of your belly, it might be due to a problem in your digestive system. For example, conditions like diverticulitis—where small pouches in the colon get inflamed—can cause pain here. Constipation and intestinal infections can also cause pain in this area. For women, the pain may be related to the left ovary. Ovarian cysts, which are small fluid-filled sacs, sometimes cause pain if they become large or twist. Other conditions, such as kidney stones or a pulled muscle, can cause pain in this area as well. Keeping a diary of when you feel pain and what it feels like can help your healthcare provider figure out if any testing or treatment is needed. If you're experiencing persistent or worsening pain, try our free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights about your symptoms, or talk to a doctor.

(References)

Bodmer NA, Thakrar KH. Evaluating the Patient with Left Lower Quadrant Abdominal Pain. Radiol Clin North Am. 2015 Nov;53(6):1171-88. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2015.06.005. Epub 2015 Aug 5. PMID: 26526432.
Yamane F, Ohta R, Sano C. Left Lower Abdominal Pain as an Initial Symptom of Multiple Myeloma. Cureus. 2021 Dec 23;13(12):e20652. doi: 10.7759/cureus.20652. PMID: 35103208; PMCID: PMC8783953.
Nelson MJ, Pesola GR. Left lower quadrant pain of unusual cause. J Emerg Med. 2001 Apr;20(3):241-5. doi: 10.1016/s0736-4679(00)00316-4. PMID: 11267811.

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