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Published on: 8/20/2026

Why might someone experience lower abdominal pain?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Lower abdominal pain has many possible causes. Common sources include digestive issues such as constipation, gas, irritable bowel syndrome, or appendicitis. It can also stem from urinary problems like bladder infections or kidney stones, or from reproductive health conditions such as menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Because the causes vary widely—from mild and temporary to serious and urgent—identifying the likely source of your pain is an important first step. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what may be behind your discomfort and guide you toward the right next steps, whether that means self-care at home or seeing a doctor promptly.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

There are several reasons someone might have pain in the lower part of the belly. To understand the common causes of lower abdominal pain, we need to categorize them based on the affected systems:

Digestive System Causes

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Diverticulitis
  • Appendicitis (acute or chronic)

Reproductive System Causes

  • In women: endometriosis, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids
  • In men: prostatitis, testicular torsion

Urinary System Causes

  • Urinary tract infection
  • Kidney stones
  • Bladder issues

Other Causes

  • Hernia
  • Abdominal muscle strain

If you are experiencing lower abdominal pain, pay attention to the quality of pain and any triggers. Associated symptoms, such as changes to your stool, fever, or painful urination, can help identify the specific cause of lower abdominal pain. If pain is persistent or severe, you should speak to your doctor or check your symptoms with our free AI-powered symptom checker to help identify potential causes.

(References)

  • Fayez JA, Toy NJ, Flanagan TM. The appendix as the cause of chronic lower abdominal pain. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995 Jan;172(1 Pt 1):122-3. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(95)90097-7. PMID: 7847518.

  • Yew KS, George MK, Allred HB. Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2023 Jun;107(6):585-596. PMID: 37327158.

  • Carlberg DJ, Lee SD, Dubin JS. Lower Abdominal Pain. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2016 May;34(2):229-49. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2015.12.003. PMID: 27133242.

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