What causes pain in the left side of the lower abdomen?
Disease description:
I feel unwell in the stomach after eating breakfast, with pain on the left side of the lower abdomen, and symptoms of bloating, stomach pain, nausea, and the urge to defecate but unable to do so. May I ask what could be causing the pain on the left side of the lower abdomen?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The cause of left lower abdominal pain needs to be determined through a comprehensive assessment of specific symptoms and physical signs. Common causes include:
1. Gastrointestinal diseases: such as proctitis, colitis, and ulcerative colitis. These conditions may cause congestion, swelling, erosion, or ulcers in the intestinal mucosa, thereby stimulating local nerves and causing pain. Patients may experience accompanying symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal distension, tenesmus, or mucus and pus in the stool.
2. Urinary system diseases: such as kidney stones, ureteral infection or inflammation, especially issues affecting the left kidney or ureter, which can cause pain in the left side of the abdomen.
3. Gynecological diseases: in female patients, left adnexitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and ectopic pregnancy (extrauterine pregnancy) can also cause left lower abdominal pain. The pain may be accompanied by increased vaginal discharge, a feeling of pressure around the anus, amenorrhea, or vaginal bleeding.
4. Other factors: such as ovulation-related pain, gastrointestinal dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and intestinal spasms may also cause left lower abdominal pain.
If symptoms persist or worsen, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation.
