Pain in left side, lower abdomen

Pain in the lower abdomen is described in the medical literature as pelvic pain. They are characteristic of acute and / or chronic diseases of the internal organs, blood vessels, lymph nodes of the small pelvis, joints and bones of the pelvic girdle.

Pelvic pain on the left side of the body

This is an extensive group of discomfort in the abdominal wall and / or abdominal cavity with localization of pain on:

front side of the body (below the navel line);
back of the body (below the line of the waist).

Pain in the lower abdomen is relevant for almost all categories of patients with gynecological, urological, gastroenterological diseases, as well as surgical pathologies of the pelvic organs.

Pain in the lower abdomen on the left side most often leads patients to the following hospital departments:

gynecology – 60-70%;
urology 65-90%
gastroenterology – 50-60%;
orthopedics – 7-15%.

During life, pain in the lower abdomen on the left periodically appears in every sixth person on the planet. Medicine associates pelvic pain with hundreds of various diseases of internal organs and systems. We have selected the most obvious and common causes of this problem.

The following organs are located on the left side of the abdominal cavity:

Spleen – an unpaired organ related to the immune system. In the parenchyma, the formation of blood cells, their accumulation and utilization takes place. The spleen acts as a reserve storage (depot) of blood due to the portal blood flow system. The total removal of the spleen does not lead to the death of a person, since in this case other organs (lymph nodes, liver) take over its functions.
Small intestine. Loops of the jejunum are partially located on the left side. This is the second section of the small intestine. The main diseases accompanied by pain are intussusceptions, blockages and inflammatory processes.
Colon. The cause of pain is inflammation, impaired secretory functions.
- Left side of the transverse colon;
- Descending branch of the colon.
Organs of the human genitourinary system:
- The left side of the unpaired organs – the uterus, the birth canal (in women);
- The left side of the paired internal organs (female and male, as well as the kidneys).
Skeleton bones of the pelvic girdle, left hip joint, vessels, cartilage, nerves, lymph nodes of the pelvic girdle. Similar information (see here).

Formation of pain

Pain is a complex pathophysiological process. With the same disease, it can manifest itself both on the left and on the right side of the body. The pain is able to migrate to parts of the body remote from the pathological focus. Cases of pain without an obvious source of pathology are known.

The reasons for the formation of a focus of pain are:

Local disturbance of blood circulation;
Violation of cellular metabolism in the pathological focus;
Inflammatory and / or dystrophic processes;
Functional and morphological changes in internal organs.

Pain syndrome is characterized by several stages of development:

The first stage. The appearance of unpleasant sensations at the site of localization of the pathological focus.

The second stage. The appearance of reflected pain, the formation of a secondary focus of pathology and the loss of an obvious connection with the primary focus.

The third stage. The spread of trophic disorders, the deepening of pathological processes, the expansion of foci of the pain impulse.

Causes of pain in the left side of the lower abdomen

Pain in the left side of the lower abdomen, combined with symptoms of a disease of an organ located on the same side, is the primary stage of the disease. Irradiating and reflected pains are formed in chronic forms of diseases with the involvement of large areas of the body in the pathogenesis.

Pain in diseases of the spleen

In the early stages of the disease, the localization of pain is most likely in the left side.

Chronic lympho- and myeloid leukemia. Oncological disease, accompanied by damage to the hematopoietic organs – the spleen, liver, regional lymph nodes. There are three clinical phases of the disease: chronic, progressive, blast crisis.
- Symptoms of the chronic phase. Pain may be absent. They appear as the tumor grows. The earliest sign is increased fatigue, sweating, loss of appetite. In some cases, the disease is accompanied by weight loss. With an increase in the size of the spleen, pain occurs after eating. Many patients note that they are too quickly satiated. At an early stage, diagnosis is carried out using ultrasound and laboratory blood tests.
- Symptoms of the progressive phase. They are detected by a physical method – deep external palpation, causing increased pain in the lower abdomen on the left. It increases as the spleen and inguinal lymph nodes enlarge.
- Symptoms of the blast crisis phase (explosive cell growth). During this period, aching pains in the joints and bones of the pelvic girdle or at a remote distance from the localization of the lesion are characteristic. The body temperature rises and falls. A decrease in blood clotting, a rapid increase in the volume of the spleen are revealed. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out with the help of instrumental, laboratory studies.
Spleen infarction. The reason is the blockage of arterioles, small arteries of the parenchyma of the organ and the development of a focus of necrosis around the vessel thrombus. Spleen infarction is easily confused with diseases that are its causes: infections, oncology, heart defects, pathologies of blood vessels.
Spleen infarction is manifested by a sharp pain in the left hypochondrium. As the pathogenesis develops, the pain may descend to the lower abdomen. It is aggravated by deep inspiration, coughing and movement. Body temperature rises to 38,0-39,0⁰C. The disease is dangerous with massive blood loss. The diagnosis is made on the basis of instrumental studies. Treatment – surgery, physiotherapy, drug correction.
Torsion of the spleen. Partial or complete twisting of the splenic artery, veins and nerve bundles around its axis. The reason is the individual characteristics of a person who, from birth, has long mesenteric ligaments that hold the organ in the abdominal cavity, or injuries to the spleen.
Accompanied by symptoms of an acute abdomen. There is a sharp pain in the left side, then it begins to fall lower and give to the groin area on the left. The pain is associated with vomiting, constipation and bloating. There is a sharp deterioration in well-being. With incomplete twisting, the patient complains only of periodic pain in the left side, aggravated by physical exertion.
In relation to a patient with symptoms of an acute abdomen, the question of an immediate surgical operation is being decided. Indolent pain with partial twisting is a reason for immediate clinical examination. After clarifying the diagnosis, the issue of treatment is decided, including the conduct of a planned surgical operation.
Acute enlargement of the spleen. The two main causes of enlargement of the spleen are a violation of the outflow of blood through the portal vein and inflammation.
- Outflow disruption. Characterized by paroxysmal dull pain on the left, in the hypochondrium, its migration to the lower abdomen is possible. Acute expansion after blockage of a vein (thrombi, conglomerates of parasites, etc.) is manifested by a significant increase in the organ, smoothing of the sharp edges of the spleen on ultrasound.
- Inflammation of the spleen. It is rarely an independent disease, more often the pathology develops as a secondary process involving the spleen in the pathogenesis, for example, the liver. Accompanied by symptoms of the underlying disease. The organ is much less enlarged, the pain is combined with fever, vomiting. The most common causes of inflammation of the spleen are diseases of neighboring organs, including the liver: Gaucher’s disease – a violation of fatty liver metabolism; Bunty’s syndrome – accompanied by cirrhosis or degeneration of the liver tissue; Hodgkin’s disease – lymphogranulomatosis.
Abscess of the spleen. This is the result of the development of limited purulent inflammation in the capsule or parenchyma of the spleen. The pathogenesis of small abscesses usually ends with complete recovery. With the formation of large or multiple abscesses, especially those that have opened into the abdominal cavity, peritonitis may develop. Its signs are severe diffuse pain radiating to the left side and lower abdomen, high temperature, a sharp deterioration in well-being, a regression of consciousness.
Spleen cyst. It is a cavity made by a capsule of connective tissue. Inside it is filled with watery, slimy contents. The cyst forms as a result of the completion of the abscess. It can also be the result of rupture of the spleen in traumatic injuries. Small cysts are painless, and large ones cause slight pain when pressed with a fist in the region of the left hypochondrium. Patients also note paroxysmal dull pain of low intensity during physical exertion.

Other pathologies, including congenital disorders and atrophy of the spleen, occur without a pronounced pain syndrome.

Pain in diseases of the small intestine

The small intestine is subdivided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Pain in the left side of the lower abdomen with a high degree of probability can be caused by a lesion of the jejunum, part of the loops of which is located on the corresponding side of the human body.

Malabsorption. A disease of a congenital or acquired nature. The pathogenesis is based on the inability of the mucous membranes of the small intestine to absorb one or more foods in the intestine, such as milk or fruits. The disease is characterized by frequent (three or more times a day) defecation, loose stools of fatty consistency. The pain is localized in the left side, and when bursting with gases of the jejunum, it is accompanied by cramping attacks. Additional symptoms are rumbling in the intestines, increased gas formation, an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. The arching pain subsides after emptying the intestines, and the cramping pain decreases after taking antispasmodic medications (no-shpa, it is also drotaverine). The final diagnosis is made on the basis of laboratory and instrumental research methods.
Celiac disease. It usually develops in newborns switching from breast milk to complementary foods from cereals. Cases of celiac disease in adults have been reported. At the heart of the disease is gluten intolerance. Gluten is a vegetable protein found in the gluten of cereals. The symptomatology of the disease is in many ways reminiscent of malabsorption, the same pulling pains in the abdomen appear. Due to indigestion, exhaustion quickly develops. At the age of six months to one year, the appearance of a sick child with ineffective treatment takes on a rachitic appearance: the abdomen is enlarged, there is a lag in growth and development, and the mucous membranes are brightly colored.

Pain in the pathologies of the large intestine

The large intestine includes the caecum, colon, sigmoid, and rectum.

The colon, in turn, is divided into:

ascending – located on the right;
descending – located on the left;
transverse – located horizontally in the epigastric region, partially to the left.

Pain on the left side of the lower abdomen is usually associated with damage to the descending or transverse colon:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome. disease of unknown etiology. Some researchers prioritize the stress factor. Men and women of all ages are ill, but two-thirds of patients are middle-aged women. They observe an exacerbation during the period of monthly cycles and with hormonal surges. Irritable bowel syndrome is manifested by chronic pain in the abdomen, sometimes on the left side, as well as flatulence, constipation or diarrhea. A distinctive feature of the disease is the absence of visible morphological changes in the intestinal walls. The disease periodically subsides and aggravates again, for example, after taking certain types of food and after stress. The main method of treatment is a special diet and drug correction.
Hirschsprung disease. hereditary pathology. Boys are predominantly ill. The disease is a consequence of the congenital absence of areas of innervation in separate, limited areas of the large intestine. The main symptoms are constipation, bloating, increased gas formation. The development of pain in the left side of the abdomen is a consequence of acute expansion of the large intestine. The main method of treatment is surgical intervention, namely, the removal of parts of the intestine that do not have nerve endings.
Crohn’s disease. Nodular inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. We will consider isolated inflammation of the descending colon, since it is precisely this inflammation that is characterized by pain in the lower abdomen on the left. The cause of the disease has not been fully established. The disease is manifested by common symptoms – fatigue, loss of appetite, lethargy; as well as specific signs – pain in the left side, diarrhea, vomiting. If other parts of the intestine are involved in the process, the symptoms will be more difficult. Crohn’s disease is very difficult to diagnose and often masquerades as other pathologies. When involved in the pathogenesis of the intestines on the right side, the symptoms are very similar to inflammation of the appendix with the same vivid pain manifestations.
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis. Polyetiological chronic inflammation of the large intestine. Accompanied by morphological changes in the intestinal walls. There is no exact information about the causes of the disease, but it is believed that it is based on hereditary factors, combined with disorders of the immune system. There are medical hypotheses about the influence of allergies and bacteria. Clinically, NUC is manifested precisely by pain in the left side of the lower abdomen. The nature of the pain is paroxysmal colic of varying intensity. Other symptoms are joint pain, diarrhea mixed with blood and pus, fever, as a result of the introduction of microbes into the mucous membrane. The final diagnosis is made on the basis of an examination of the intestinal mucosa using instrumental methods.

Diverticulosis of the large intestine. A disease accompanied by the development of diverticula – pathological sacs that form when the intestinal walls protrude. The elderly are more often affected. Diverticula interfere with normal peristalsis, they accumulate stool, causing congestion, fermentation, gas formation and intestinal expansion. In conclusion, dense fecal stones (calculi) form in the diverticula. When the descending colon is affected, pain occurs in the left side, may be in the lower abdomen, as well as constipation and black feces due to intestinal bleeding. Diagnosis of the localization of diverticula is made using instrumental methods for examining the intestine, and diverticulosis is treated only surgically.
Polyposis of the colon. A multifactorial disease, accompanied by the appearance on the mucous membranes of the colon of benign formations – polyps. The formation of these polyps is associated with a violation of the absorption of water from the contents of the intestine and the difficulty of passing the contents. As a result, diarrhea is combined with constipation, in severe cases a dangerous state of dehydration develops. Pain in the left side occurs when polyps affect the descending part of the colon.
Atony of the large intestine. It develops with a decrease in the resistance of the patient’s body against the background of the underlying disease, for example, with prolonged immobility during illness. Atony is most often diagnosed in the elderly. The main clinical symptom is a violation of peristalsis, constipation, bloating, noise and rumbling, as a result of fermentation processes. Bloating causes dull, arching pain. With the accumulation of gases in the descending colon, aching pain appears in the left side of the lower abdomen.
Malignant formation. Colon cancer is a generalized name for several diseases of oncological etiology. One of the reasons for the development of malignant tumors is malignancy or the transformation of benign cells into cancerous ones.

The pain syndrome develops first on the side where the tumor originated. An increase in the intensity of sensations is characteristic, and with tumor necrosis, the pain intensifies and grows around the focus.

Pain in diseases of the genitourinary system

Some diseases have been mentioned in connection with damage to the right kidney (see here). This text is supplemented with information.

Hydroureteronephrosis. This is an expansion of the renal pelvis. It develops due to impaired outflow of urine from the kidney. Causes – urolithiasis, narrowing or diverticula of the ureter. Since the kidney is a paired organ, a unilateral lesion proceeds subclinically for a long time. Acute expansion is accompanied by sharp pains in the lower back, which can descend into the lower abdomen.
Allen-Masters Syndrome. It develops in connection with rupture of the ligaments of the uterus during difficult childbirth and abortion, or during rapid childbirth. It appears soon after these pathologies. The most common symptom is cramping pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes on the left or in the anus, especially when straining. Burning pain inside the abdominal cavity radiates to the left iliac region. Additional symptoms are fatigue, pain during sex and menstruation. Diagnosis is based on physical examinations: the doctor detects abnormal mobility of the cervix, torn ligaments do not hold the organ in a stable position. The uterus is painful when pressing on the abdominal wall. Ligament rupture causes venous congestion in the pelvic area.
External genital endometriosis. Pain develops with pathological proliferation of myometrial cells with external endometriosis:
- Ovaries. The clinic resembles an ectopic pregnancy with pain in the lower abdomen of varying intensity. The defeat of the left ovary is accompanied by aching pains on the corresponding side, the pains intensify during menstruation and during intercourse. Associated pain is associated with the development of adhesions;
- Peritoneum. Perhaps an asymptomatic course, characterized by menstrual disorders, the development of infertility, pain during intercourse and pain in the lower abdomen, often on the left;
- Fallopian tubes. It is manifested by pain during palpation of the cervix and during menstruation. The development of infertility is observed, sometimes an ectopic pregnancy occurs with the localization of the embryo in the fallopian tubes;
- The cervix. Characterized by persistent pain in the pelvic area, possibly on the left. Often the pain descends into the rectal area and increases with defecation and sex;
- Vagina and labia. Bloody nodules are visually detected on the vaginal mucosa and labia, combined with discharge and pain on palpation. Sex is impossible due to severe pain, and in a calm state, there is pain in the lower abdomen;
- Rectal-uterine cavity. With rectal palpation, endometriotic nodules in the form of a rosary are felt on the walls of the rectum near the uterine cavity. Patients complain of pulling pain in the perineum and lower abdomen on the left with a predominant lesion of the left side of the rectum.

Pain in diseases of the hip joint, cartilage, blood vessels, nerves, lymph nodes (see here). Diseases of the right side of these anatomical formations are identical to the left-sided lesion.

Types of pain

Pain caused by injury or trauma, in terms of pathophysiological significance for the body, differs significantly from internal pelvic pain. Pain caused by injuries should usually be treated immediately with pain medication.

Pain caused by pathologies of the internal organs, on the contrary, must be stopped with great care. If internal pain occurs, anesthesia is allowed by applying a cold compress to the focus.

Dull aching pain in left side

This type of pain is a common complaint of patients with unilateral gynecological pathologies. With dull pains in the left side of the lower abdomen, women usually experience cycle disorders, during sex, inflammation of the genital organs and non-inflammatory (endometriosis) diseases. Inflammatory pathologies, accompanied by dull pain, are usually combined with fever, weakness and increased fatigue. In addition to gynecological diseases, dull pain accompanies varicose veins of the legs, acute enlargement of the bladder, hemorrhoids. Dull, aching pain is felt with inflammation of the lymph nodes on the left side of the body.

Drawing pain in left side

Such pain is typical for purulent pathologies of the pelvic organs on the left side, usually it is characterized by a debilitating course and low intensity. Pulling pain on the left is felt with inflammation of the scrotum, external male genital organs, as well as with strangulated hernias, accompanied by sprains in the groin. The pain gradually increases in oncological diseases due to irritation of the nerve ganglia by a growing tumor. In severe pathologies, the presence and intensity of other symptoms should be taken into account: (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes)

Sharp pain in left side

Cramps are accompanied by pathologies associated with spasms of the pelvic organs when the intestines are bursting with gases or by a direct effect on painful nerve endings. Sharp pain is sometimes evidence of acute expansion of the bladder and renal pelvis, inflammation or rupture of ligaments, rupture of the ovary, passage of uralitis through the urinary tract. Alternatively, in the above cases, there may be dull pain.

Stitching pain in left side

Colic usually occurs with diseases of the kidneys and intestines. Stitching, throbbing pain is possible with ulceration of the mucous membrane of the ureters and urethra. A kind of stabbing – shooting pain, which indicates inflammation of the lower back, joints, cartilage. Stitching pain occurs when the intestine expands due to increased gas formation. After defecation and urination, such pain subsides. Stitching pain is a formidable symptom that should not be neglected. It may be a precursor to a ruptured ovarian cyst.

Other symptoms

With rare exceptions, pain is never the main symptom, while it accompanies all serious pathologies of the internal organs. Modern diagnostic methods (CT with contrast, types of spiral MRI, ultrasound, laparoscopy) significantly expand the possibilities of detecting signs of diseases that cause pain. Only 1,5% of cases of pain in the pelvic organs are not accompanied by pronounced morphological changes in the internal organs. Pain is often combined with symptoms of the underlying disease: fever, vomiting, and others.

Temperature

Its sharp rise – evidence of serious malfunctions in the body, including:

infectious nature – infectious diseases with damage to the pelvic organs are usually combined with fever;
inflammatory pathologies of the internal organs of the small pelvis in men and women with the threat of developing peritonitis;
traumatic injuries with the threat of rupture of the walls of internal organs.

Nausea, vomiting

The combination of pain on the right, less often on the left, or unclear localization with fever and vomiting is characteristic of appendicitis. In medical textbooks they write that vomiting with appendicitis is usually single, but in practice it happens differently. Repeated vomiting and pain in the lower abdomen on the left, more often of a girdle character, also develop with pancreatitis and cholecystitis.

Particular alertness should be caused by persistent, indomitable nausea and vomiting, combined with pain.

What to do if there is pain in the left side?

What to do with pain in the spleen?

In diseases of the spleen, the patient often requires surgery. This is especially true in the case when pain in the organ is caused by a cyst or a growing tumor.

To facilitate the well-being of a person, it is possible to use the following drugs:

Spasmalgon, Ibuprofen, Drotaverine. They are prescribed for pain relief.
Lineks, Espumizan, Mezim-forte. Drugs can reduce bloating.
Heparin, Fraxiparine. These absorbable and anticoagulants are indicated for use in organ infarction.
Panadol, Aspirin, Ibuklin, Paracetamol. They are prescribed to reduce body temperature.

What to do with pain in the small intestine?

If a person suffers from celiac disease or malabsorption, then he needs to stop eating highly fermented foods. Their small intestines are simply unable to digest.

When a patient is diagnosed with a peptic ulcer, medications such as:

Pariet, Esomeprazole, Ranitidine, Famotidine, Pirenzepine. These are antisecretory drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
De-nol, Vikalin, Vikair – preparations containing bismuth.
Clarithromycin, Tinidazole, Tetracycline, Amoxicillin – antibacterial drugs.
Gastal, Maalox, Almagel, Nimesil – preparations for the relief of heartburn.
Loperamide, Atsilact, Lactobacterin, Normobact – means to eliminate diarrhea.
Tisaden, Bisacodyl, Senalex, Glycelax – anti-constipation agents.
Smecta, Bobotik, Sab Simplex, Meteospasmil – drugs to reduce bloating due to gases.

What to do with pain in the large intestine?

If a person suffers from pain in the large intestine, he may be prescribed drugs such as:

Mesalazine.
Sulfasalazine.
Prednisolone.
Enzymatic agents: Festal, Creon, Pancreoflat, Encipalmed.
Painkillers: Spazmalgon, Baralgin, Kolotal, Nirvaxal, Maksigan.
Preparations for lowering body temperature: Paracetamol, Citramon, Ibuklin, Nurofen.
Drugs to stop vomiting: Trazyn, Senorm, Bonin, Zofran.
Means to stop diarrhea: Ftalazol, Bifiform, Hilak forte, Enterol.
Drugs to cope with constipation: Lactitol, Glycerol, Dufalac, Romfalac.
Preparations for bloating: Linex, Mezim-forte, Enterosgel.

What to do with diseases of the genitourinary system?

Diseases of the genitourinary system require a professional approach to treatment, self-administration of drugs is unacceptable. Sometimes patients need surgery, for example, with advanced endometriosis, or with torn ligaments.

Medicines such as:

Antibiotics: Azitral, Biseptol, Normobactin, Moximac, Ospamox.
Drugs to relieve the inflammatory reaction: Nurofen, Ketonal, Meloxicam, Melbek, Voltaren.
Pain relievers: Spazgan, Nurofen, Movasin, Indomethacin.
Drugs to reduce body temperature: Pentalgin, Paracetamol, Diklak, Metindol, Naproxen.

Lymphadenitis as the cause of pain in the left side

With lymphadenitis, accompanied by inflammation of the lymph nodes, prescribe drugs such as:

Amoxiclav.
Cetirizine.
Clindamycin.
Acyclovir.
Fluconazole.
Nimesulide etc.

Also, patients are prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures: UHF, laser therapy, galvanization.

Gastritis as the cause of pain

Gastritis is treated by a gastroenterologist.

The doctor prescribes the patient drugs such as:

Smecta
Activated carbon
Doxycycline.
Cimetidine.
Hydrotalcite.
Gastricide.
Famotidine.
Diosmectite.

Pancreatitis as the cause of pain in the left side

Developing pancreatitis requires a doctor’s consultation. If the doctor considers that the disease has a severe course, then he hospitalizes the patient. Although sometimes treatment at home is possible.

For this purpose, drugs such as:

Enzymes: Pancreatin, Festal, Mezim, Creon, Kontrykal.
Antispasmodics: Papaverine, No-shpa, Baralgin.
Diuretics: Diacarb, Lasix, Furosemide.

Neuralgia, how cause it hurts

A neurologist treats neuralgia.

The doctor may prescribe drugs such as:

Ibuprofen, Panadol, analgin, Nimesulide, Diclofenac. They help relieve pain. Sometimes medicines are taken orally, and sometimes used for topical application. In the form of an ointment, Diclofenac, Voltaren, Nimid are produced.
Vitamins of group B. Deficiency of these vitamins often causes the development of neuralgia.
To relieve muscle spasm and eliminate inflammation, the use of drugs such as Tempalgin, Baclofen, Clonazepam, Sirdalud is indicated.

You can increase the therapeutic effect with the help of physiotherapy. Therefore, patients with neuralgia may be prescribed sollux, electrophoresis or UHF.