What might be causing a weird feeling in my lower right abdomen?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain or discomfort in the lower right side of your abdomen can stem from many causes. Common culprits include muscle strain, digestive inflammation (such as appendicitis, Crohn's disease, or diverticulitis), ovarian cysts, kidney stones, or a hernia. Less common causes include iliopsoas bursitis, which may be linked to sleeping posture or repetitive hip movement.

Because symptoms often overlap between minor and serious conditions, self-diagnosis can be risky. Some causes—like appendicitis or an ectopic pregnancy—require urgent care, while others resolve with rest. Understanding the likely source of your pain is the first step toward the right treatment. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to clarify what may be causing your discomfort and confidently plan your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what causes lower right abdomen feelings Discover if your lower right pain needs care Find out if it could be appendicitis See OTC options for lower right abdominal pain Find a doctor for abdominal pain evaluation Understand medically proven home remedies for abdominal pain Check whether this lower right feeling is serious

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Explanation

Your lower right abdomen houses many important parts like muscles, intestines, and other organs. Sometimes a strange feeling there can be from a pulled muscle or a tight spot that happens when you sleep in an unusual position. For example, one study talked about how iliopsoas bursitis, which is swelling of a small fluid-filled sac near your hip, caused pain in that exact area.

Other possibilities include issues like appendicitis, problems with the small or large intestine, or even a hernia. Though many of these conditions can be mild and temporary, some might need medical care, especially if the pain lasts, gets worse, or you develop other symptoms such as fever or vomiting.

It's important to remember that only a healthcare professional can give a proper examination and determine what is causing your discomfort. If you're experiencing persistent symptoms and want to better understand what might be happening, you can check your symptoms with our free AI-powered tool before your doctor's visit. If you are worried or if your pain does not go away, please see a doctor to have a careful check-up.

(References)

Boulet S, Milliron ML, Lund KH. It's Not Always the Appendix: An Unusual Case of Right Lower Quadrant Pain in an Emergency Department Patient Due to Iliopsoas Bursitis From Uncommon Sleep Positioning. Cureus. 2022 Feb 15;14(2):e22251. doi: 10.7759/cureus.22251. PMID: 35186610; PMCID: PMC8849435.
Teiga E, Radosevic A, Sánchez J, Busto M, Aguilar G, Maiques J, Flores D, Zugazaga A, Beltran JG, Bazán F. A rare case of right lower quadrant pain. BJR Case Rep. 2018 Oct 31;5(2):20170024. doi: 10.1259/bjrcr.20170024. PMID: 31501692; PMCID: PMC6726167.
Murali N, El Hayek SM. Abdominal Pain Mimics. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2021 Nov;39(4):839-850. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2021.07.003. Epub 2021 Sep 10. PMID: 34600641; PMCID: PMC8430370.

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