Causes of Mild Pain in the Lower Left Abdomen
Disease description:
Around noon today, there has been a persistent dull pain in the lower left abdomen. I haven't eaten much—what could be causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The causes of mild pain in the lower left abdomen can vary widely, mainly including:
1. Intestinal issues: Poor gastrointestinal function or overeating may lead to indigestion, which in turn causes mild pain in the lower left abdomen. Enteritis caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections often accompanies symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Inflammation of the colon may also result in mild pain in the lower left abdomen, especially when dietary habits are improper or there is insufficient blood supply to a localized intestinal area.
2. Urinary tract infections: Conditions such as cystitis or urethritis may cause mild lower left abdominal pain, often accompanied by symptoms like frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination.
3. Reproductive system diseases: For women, mild pain in the lower left abdomen may be related to gynecological conditions such as left-sided adnexitis or pelvic inflammatory disease; for men, it may be associated with reproductive system inflammations such as left-sided vas deferens infection or prostatitis.
4. Other factors: Conditions such as ovarian cysts, inguinal hernias, and intestinal tumors may also cause mild pain in the lower left abdomen. Notably, intestinal tumors may present with few symptoms in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and increased bowel movement frequency may occur.
Mild pain in the lower left abdomen could be an early sign of more serious diseases, such as colon cancer or ovarian cancer. Therefore, if the pain persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, weight loss, or blood in the stool, prompt medical attention is advised.
