Why do I have severe pain in my lower abdomen?

When you experience strong pain in the lower area of your belly, it can mean different things.

In women, pain in this location may be related to the uterus or ovaries. For example, an ovarian cyst (a small ball of fluid on the ovary) can sometimes burst or twist, causing sharp pain.

Other conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (an infection of the reproductive organs) or uterine fibroids (non-cancerous growths in the uterus), may also cause severe pain. Another condition called endometriosis, where tissue similar to the inside of the uterus grows outside it, can be a reason for ongoing discomfort.

Not all lower abdominal pain comes from the reproductive system. Pain from the bladder infection or a kidney stone may be felt in the lower abdomen. Sometimes, the pain might come from an issue with the digestive tract, like appendicitis or other gastrointestinal problems, or even from a pulled muscle.

It's important to pay attention to any other symptoms you might have, such as fever, changes in your menstrual bleeding, or pain during other activities. If you're experiencing severe pain and want to better understand what might be causing it, try our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes. Severe pain should be discussed with a healthcare provider in order to find out exactly what's happening and identify the right treatment.