Why does my lower stomach hurt?

There are many possible causes of lower abdominal pain. Here are some common ones:

- Gastrointestinal issues:

- Stomach or intestinal viruses or bacteria, leading to gastroenteritis

- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other functional bowel disorders

- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

- Food sensitivities or allergies, such as gluten or lactose

- Constipation

- Appendicitis, usually causing pain on the lower right side of the abdomen

- Diverticulitis, when pouches in the colon become inflamed or infected

- Gallstones or blockage in the bile ducts

- Ulcers or bleeding in the digestive tract

- Reproductive/pelvic issues:

- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)

- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a bacterial infection of the female reproductive organs

- Ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus

- Ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis

- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in both women and men

- Hernias:

- An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal wall in the groin area

- A hiatal hernia happens when part of the stomach pushes up through an opening in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen)

- Musculoskeletal issues:

- Muscle strains, spasms, or injuries in the abdomen or back

- Kidney stones passing through the urinary tract

- Other less common causes:

- Urinary tract infection (UTI)

- Endometriosis

- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

- Appendicitis

- Ectopic pregnancy

- Ovarian cysts

- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

- Crohn's disease

- Ulcerative colitis

- Diverticulitis

- Kidney stones

- Cancer of the colon, rectum, or ovaries

If you experience persistent or severe lower abdominal pain, or if it is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever, bloody stools, or difficulty urinating, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and proper treatment.