Lower left abdominal pain in females can be caused by a variety of conditions related to the digestive system, urinary system, and female reproductive organs. Common causes include:
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon, often causing severe pain on the lower left side, sometimes accompanied by fever, constipation or diarrhea, nausea, and blood in stools
- Ovarian cysts or ovarian torsion: Fluid-filled sacs on the ovary or twisting of the ovary and fallopian tube can cause sharp or dull pain, sometimes with nausea and vomiting
- Gas and bloating: Excessive gas buildup in the digestive tract can cause crampy pain or discomfort on the left side
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Causes crampy abdominal pain often accompanied by bloating, diarrhea, or constipation
- Urinary tract infections or kidney stones: Infections or stones in the urinary system can cause pain radiating to the lower left abdomen, sometimes with urinary symptoms like burning or blood in urine
- Endometriosis: Growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus can cause chronic or cyclical lower abdominal pain, often worse around menstruation
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: Infection of the female reproductive organs, causing pain often with abnormal vaginal discharge and bleeding
- Mittelschmerz: Ovulation pain occurring mid-cycle, typically sharp and brief on one side
Less common but serious causes include bowel obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease, hernias, and ectopic pregnancy, which require prompt medical evaluation
. If the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by symptoms like fever, vomiting, bloody stools, or abnormal vaginal bleeding, medical attention should be sought promptly
. In summary, lower left abdominal pain in females can arise from gastrointestinal issues (like diverticulitis, gas, IBS), reproductive system problems (ovarian cysts, torsion, endometriosis, PID), or urinary conditions (UTIs, kidney stones). Diagnosis depends on accompanying symptoms and medical evaluation
