Pain in the lower part of the tummy is very common and can come from the bowel, the bladder or the pelvic organs. Much of the time it is due to something minor and short-lived, such as constipation or a passing upset. Pain that is severe, persistent, or comes with other symptoms deserves assessment, so the cause can be identified and treated. As a colorectal and general surgeon, Mr Kimble is well placed to look into bowel-related causes of lower tummy pain.
What causes lower abdominal pain?
Constipation
a very common and easily treated cause
IBS
crampy pain that often eases after opening the bowels
Diverticulitis
inflamed pouches in the bowel, often causing lower left pain
Hernia
a bulge and discomfort in the lower abdomen or groin
Other causes
bladder, gynaecological, or, less commonly, serious bowel conditions
When to seek assessment promptly
- Pain that is persistent or keeps returning
- Pain with a change in bowel habit or bleeding
- Pain with weight loss or feeling generally unwell
- A new lump or bulge alongside the pain
- Pain that is affecting your daily life
How it's investigated
The lower abdomen holds parts of the bowel, the bladder and, in women, the reproductive organs, so pain there can arise from any of them. Mr Kimble takes a history, examines you and arranges investigations where appropriate, which may include blood tests, a scan or a colonoscopy depending on the picture. From a bowel perspective, common causes include constipation, IBS and diverticulitis, while less common causes include inflammatory bowel disease, a hernia or bowel cancer. Identifying the cause allows the right treatment and provides reassurance.
Seek urgent medical care if you have severe or sudden tummy pain, a hard or swollen abdomen, a high fever, persistent vomiting, or pain with significant bleeding, as these can point to a problem that needs immediate attention.