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Published on: 8/20/2026

What could cause pain in the lower right side of my stomach?

Pain in the lower right side of your abdomen is often caused by appendicitis, but it can also stem from several other conditions, including:

  • Gas or constipation — trapped gas or slow bowel movements can cause sharp or cramping pain
  • Right-sided diverticulitis — inflammation of small pouches in the colon wall
  • Ovarian cyst rupture or torsion — sudden, severe pain in people with ovaries
  • Intestinal or colon issues — such as IBS, Crohn's disease, or infection
  • Kidney stones or urinary tract infections — pain that may radiate to the lower abdomen

Because these conditions range from mild to medical emergencies, identifying the likely cause quickly matters. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what may be behind your pain and guide your next steps — whether that's home care, seeing a doctor, or heading to the ER. It only takes about 3 minutes and gives you personalized insight based on your specific symptoms, so you don't have to guess what to do next.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Pain in the lower right part of the stomach can be linked with appendicitis, which is when your appendix gets swollen and infected. However, there are other conditions that can also cause pain in this area. For example, right-sided colonic diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the large intestine become inflamed. There may be other gastrointestinal causes, such as inflammation of the small bowel (ileitis) or even conditions like Crohn's disease that affect the intestines. Some infections can also lead to discomfort in this region. Doctors usually use imaging tests like CT scans and blood work to understand exactly what is happening inside. They review your symptoms, check your medical history, and sometimes do a physical exam to be sure of the cause. If you experience severe pain in this area, it is important to see a healthcare provider so they can rule out serious problems and decide on the best way to treat your pain. To help identify what might be causing your symptoms, you can start by taking a free AI symptom checker that evaluates your specific situation.

(References)

  • Purysko AS, Remer EM, Filho HM, Bittencourt LK, Lima RV, Racy DJ. Beyond appendicitis: common and uncommon gastrointestinal causes of right lower quadrant abdominal pain at multidetector CT. Radiographics. 2011 Jul-Aug;31(4):927-47. doi: 10.1148/rg.314105065. PMID: 21768232.

  • Shin JH, Son BH, Kim H. Clinically distinguishing between appendicitis and right-sided colonic diverticulitis at initial presentation. Yonsei Med J. 2007 Jun 30;48(3):511-6. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2007.48.3.511. PMID: 17594161; PMCID: PMC2628084.

  • Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2015 Dec. (Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 157.) Background. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK355445/

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