Lower Left Abdominal Pain: Causes and When to Worry
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 31 October 2026
Lower left abdominal pain is often wind or constipation. Signs of diverticulitis, ovarian, kidney and testicle causes, and when to call 112.
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Lower left abdominal pain is most often caused by trapped wind or constipation, and it usually settles in a few days. In people over 50, a common cause is diverticulitis, an inflamed pouch in the bowel wall. Ovarian, pregnancy, kidney and testicle problems can also hurt here. Sudden severe pain, fever or blood needs a doctor quickly.
- Common, mild causes: trapped wind, constipation, a stomach bug, period pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Diverticulitis typically causes constant pain low on the left, often with fever. It is more common after 50.
- In women, think of ovarian cysts and, if a period is late, an ectopic pregnancy.
- Pain from the side or back that spreads to the groin may be a kidney stone.
- Call 112 for sudden severe pain, a rigid belly, black or bloody stools, or fainting.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.
What causes pain in the lower left abdomen?
The lower left part of your tummy holds the last part of the large bowel, called the sigmoid colon. It also lies near the left ovary in women, the left ureter, and the groin. Pain there can come from any of these. The most common causes are simple ones.
The NHS lists these everyday causes of tummy pain:
- Trapped wind and bloating, often with lots of farting.
- Constipation: pooing fewer than three times a week, or hard, dry stools.
- A stomach bug or food poisoning, with diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Period pain, or endometriosis if the pain is intense and also comes during sex or when pooing.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): cramps, bloating, and diarrhoea and constipation that come and go.
Appendicitis usually causes pain on the right side, not the left.
Is it diverticulitis?
Diverticula are small pouches in the wall of the large bowel. Many people get them as they age, and most never notice. Mayo Clinic explains that diverticulitis is when they become inflamed or infected. It is more common over 50, and the pain is most often in the lower left abdomen.
Signs that point to diverticulitis:
- Pain low on the left that is constant and lasts for days.
- Fever, feeling sick or vomiting.
- A tender tummy when you press it.
- A sudden change in bowel habit: constipation or diarrhoea.
- Sometimes, blood or mucus from the bottom.
Milder diverticular disease can cause pain that gets worse after eating and eases after passing wind or a poo. The NHS notes it can feel like IBS. A doctor may ask for a blood test, a stool test or a CT scan. In Spain, the CT is called a TAC.
How is diverticulitis treated?
Mild diverticulitis is often treated at home. The NHS describes painkillers such as paracetamol, and antibiotics only when an infection is the cause. Not everyone needs them. About 15 in 100 people with diverticulitis get complications, says Mayo Clinic. These include an abscess, a blocked or torn bowel, or bleeding, and they need hospital care.
The NHS advises against anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen if you have diverticular disease. They can upset the gut and raise the risk of a tear in the bowel. Once you are better, a balanced diet with whole grains, fruit and vegetables helps. Increase fibre slowly and drink plenty of water.
Pain low on the left that is not settling, or that keeps coming back?
You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. He goes through your symptoms, helps you tell a simple cause from one that needs tests, and tells you where to go next.
Could lower left abdominal pain be my ovary or a pregnancy?
In women, the left ovary sits low on the left. Ovarian cysts are common and most go away by themselves within a few months. A cyst can cause a dull, heavy ache, or sharp pain if it bursts or twists. Sudden, severe pelvic pain needs a doctor today.
If your period is late, or you could be pregnant, think of an ectopic pregnancy. This is a pregnancy growing outside the womb. It usually causes symptoms between weeks 4 and 12. Signs include pain low down on one side, vaginal bleeding or brown watery discharge, and pain at the tip of the shoulder. Take a pregnancy test and see a doctor today.
If you are pregnant and have tummy pain, speak to a doctor or midwife (matrona) without waiting. Our guide to early pregnancy symptoms explains when to test.
Could it be a kidney stone or a urine infection?
A kidney stone usually starts as pain in the side or lower back. It can spread to the groin, the inner thigh, or the testicles or vulva. The pain comes in waves, often with feeling sick. Get help today if the pain is severe or you have a fever or shivers. In Spain this is often called cólico nefrítico.
A urine infection can cause low tummy pain with burning when you pee or needing to pee often. See a doctor if you notice these signs with the pain.
What about the testicles or a hernia?
Sudden, severe pain in a testicle is an emergency. It may be a twisted testicle (testicular torsion), which can lose its blood supply. The NHS says to go to A&E or call for help for testicle pain with tummy pain or vomiting. The Spanish Paediatric Association (AEP) notes that the pain can spread to the groin and lower tummy, and that torsion is most common around puberty. So if a boy has lower tummy pain, always ask about his testicles.
A hernia is a lump where tissue or bowel pushes through a weak spot, often in the groin. See a doctor if it hurts. If you also vomit, or cannot poo or pass wind, call 112.
When is lower left abdominal pain an emergency?
Call 112 or go to urgencias if:
- The pain started suddenly and is severe.
- Your belly is rigid, hard and very tender to touch.
- You vomit blood, or vomit that is green or looks like coffee grounds.
- You pass a lot of blood from your bottom, or your poo is black and sticky.
- You cannot poo or pass wind at all, or cannot pee at all.
- You feel faint, very dizzy or look very pale, especially if you could be pregnant.
- You have sudden, severe testicle pain.
- You have a rash that does not fade when you press it, or you struggle to breathe.
Do not drive yourself. Ask someone to take you, and bring any medicines you take.
When should I see a doctor about it?
See a doctor today, without waiting, if:
- The pain is getting worse or does not go away.
- You have a fever with the pain.
- There is blood or mucus in your poo.
- You are pregnant.
- You have unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge.
- Diarrhoea or vomiting lasts more than a few days.
Book a routine visit if the pain keeps coming back, you have lost weight without trying, or your bowel habit has changed for weeks. Our guide to stool colour helps you read changes in your poo.
Talking it through with a doctor by video
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). A video visit cannot replace pressing on your tummy, so he will tell you plainly if you need an exam in person. In the visit he will:
- Ask where the pain started, how it changed and what makes it better or worse.
- Ask about your bowels, urine, periods and any chance of pregnancy.
- Look for red flags that need urgencias today.
- Agree a plan: self-care, tests, a follow-up, or an in-person exam.
He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.
A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.
This guide is general information. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of lower left abdominal pain?
Trapped wind and constipation are the most common causes. In people over 50, diverticulitis is a frequent cause of constant pain low on the left, often with fever.
How do I know if it is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis usually causes constant pain low on the left that lasts days, with fever, tenderness and a change in bowel habit. A doctor may confirm it with blood tests or a CT scan.
Does diverticulitis always need antibiotics?
No. The NHS says antibiotics are used only when an infection is causing it. Mild cases are often managed at home with paracetamol and rest.
Can lower left abdominal pain be my ovary?
Yes. Ovarian cysts can cause a dull ache or sudden sharp pain. If your period is late, take a pregnancy test and see a doctor today to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
Can a man have lower left abdominal pain from the testicle?
Yes. A twisted testicle can cause pain felt in the lower tummy. Sudden, severe testicle pain is an emergency: call 112 or go to urgencias.
When should I go to A&E with lower left abdominal pain?
Call 112 or go to urgencias for sudden severe pain, a rigid belly, vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, fainting, or being unable to pass stools or wind.
Sources
- NHS: Stomach ache
- NHS: Diverticular disease and diverticulitis
- Mayo Clinic: Diverticulitis
- NHS: Ectopic pregnancy
- NHS: Testicle pain
Related guides
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
