Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Cramps In Lower Left Side Of Abdomen?
Question: Hello, (29y/o, male)
I woke up this morning with a fairly concentrated cramping on my lower left side of my abdomen... feels like intestinal paint (but I don't know). It can range from dull, to sharper... and if I lie on my right side the pain is much less and might not be felt at all.
Now, I have occasionally felt this for many years (don't exactly remember the first time), but usually it doesn't last more than a few minutes (and can happen at any time of the day)... as long as I can re-adjust my position soon enough. I don't know, but it may be related to gas or digestion movement? In any case, it is now evening and the pain has not gotten better. It does not respond to acetaminophen (Tylenol)... I still have an appetite, no fever or anything like that. I had a bowel movement this morning that seemed normal to me.
I'm worried, as this is lasting longer than it ever has and is thus more severe. Thank you for any help you can provide.
I woke up this morning with a fairly concentrated cramping on my lower left side of my abdomen... feels like intestinal paint (but I don't know). It can range from dull, to sharper... and if I lie on my right side the pain is much less and might not be felt at all.
Now, I have occasionally felt this for many years (don't exactly remember the first time), but usually it doesn't last more than a few minutes (and can happen at any time of the day)... as long as I can re-adjust my position soon enough. I don't know, but it may be related to gas or digestion movement? In any case, it is now evening and the pain has not gotten better. It does not respond to acetaminophen (Tylenol)... I still have an appetite, no fever or anything like that. I had a bowel movement this morning that seemed normal to me.
I'm worried, as this is lasting longer than it ever has and is thus more severe. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Brief Answer:
Some tests are necessary to find out what is causing the pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Such pain can be caused by several issues including diverticulitis, partial bowels obstruction, ovaries cyst, urinary tract infection or stones, inguinal hernia.
Diverticulitis is a condition caused by chronic constipation. Pain appears usually on lower left abdomen. Pressing painful area and releasing pressure causes pain. Loose stools or blood in stool can appear.
Partial bowels obstruction appears in case of some intestine narrowing. At your age, Crohns disease can be the reason of such obstruction. Pain present with obstruction is cramping. Bloating and occasional gas obstruction are quite characteristic.
Urinary tract issues usually gives pain which radiates to back or groin. Frequent urinating, burning while urinating can be present as well.
Hernia gives a kind of lump in groin area. Pain gets more intense when standing and coughing.
Tylenol wont help in case of abdominal pain for sure. You need to try smooth muscles relaxing medicines for temporal pain relief (like Metamizole or Buscolisine).
I suggest you to consult your doctor. Blood work, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal x-ray and urine analysis should be done at first. You should also consult gynecologist and have transvaginal ultrasound done.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Some tests are necessary to find out what is causing the pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Such pain can be caused by several issues including diverticulitis, partial bowels obstruction, ovaries cyst, urinary tract infection or stones, inguinal hernia.
Diverticulitis is a condition caused by chronic constipation. Pain appears usually on lower left abdomen. Pressing painful area and releasing pressure causes pain. Loose stools or blood in stool can appear.
Partial bowels obstruction appears in case of some intestine narrowing. At your age, Crohns disease can be the reason of such obstruction. Pain present with obstruction is cramping. Bloating and occasional gas obstruction are quite characteristic.
Urinary tract issues usually gives pain which radiates to back or groin. Frequent urinating, burning while urinating can be present as well.
Hernia gives a kind of lump in groin area. Pain gets more intense when standing and coughing.
Tylenol wont help in case of abdominal pain for sure. You need to try smooth muscles relaxing medicines for temporal pain relief (like Metamizole or Buscolisine).
I suggest you to consult your doctor. Blood work, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal x-ray and urine analysis should be done at first. You should also consult gynecologist and have transvaginal ultrasound done.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello again,
thank you for your answer (although I do not know why you mention the possibility of ovary cyst and suggest the transvaginal ultrasound as I'm not a woman!).
Anyway, I woke up yesterday without pain. Towards the end of the previous day (the day of the symptoms) I massaged the area for some time, and although sensitive to pressure I eventually just applied continual pressure in the area for a good couple hours... and the pain seemed to subside.
As I say, it seems to be gone again now... so what do you think this could have been?
thanks!
thank you for your answer (although I do not know why you mention the possibility of ovary cyst and suggest the transvaginal ultrasound as I'm not a woman!).
Anyway, I woke up yesterday without pain. Towards the end of the previous day (the day of the symptoms) I massaged the area for some time, and although sensitive to pressure I eventually just applied continual pressure in the area for a good couple hours... and the pain seemed to subside.
As I say, it seems to be gone again now... so what do you think this could have been?
thanks!
Brief Answer:
It points to intestinal pain.
Detailed Answer:
Its really hard to tell what this could have been without at least basic tests.
Applying pressure and massage are known ways to relax smooth muscles. With your hand you are able to reach intestines as they are located just below the skin and muscles. Lower left side is where sigmoid colon is located and can be palpated or massaged with hand.
So I would say intestinal pain it was. But the exact location (small intestine or sigmoid colon) remains unknown. That is why it would be reasonable to have at least abdominal ultrasound done.
Regards.
It points to intestinal pain.
Detailed Answer:
Its really hard to tell what this could have been without at least basic tests.
Applying pressure and massage are known ways to relax smooth muscles. With your hand you are able to reach intestines as they are located just below the skin and muscles. Lower left side is where sigmoid colon is located and can be palpated or massaged with hand.
So I would say intestinal pain it was. But the exact location (small intestine or sigmoid colon) remains unknown. That is why it would be reasonable to have at least abdominal ultrasound done.
Regards.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
