Tingling in the left side of the lower abdomen

Causes of discomfort

You need to know: a woman has reproductive organs on the left side of her lower abdomen: the fallopian tubes, the left ovary (another name is the appendage) and the left region of the uterus. However, from the gastrointestinal tract organs located above them, discomfort sensations, radiating, can descend to the left iliac part.

They can be pulsating or single, be constant or periodic, and also occur only at certain times of the day.

There are many reasons for such pain:

• gynecological;
• problems of urology;
• neuralgic in nature;
• pregnancy;
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• injuries, etc.

Therefore, you need to relax and try to determine the type of pain. Further diagnosis of unpleasant sensations largely depends on this.

Nature of pain

To correctly diagnose the disease, the pain symptom must be correctly described and classified.

In order to independently accurately determine the nature of the pain, you need to renounce the painful state as much as possible and remember:

• have similar sensations occurred before;
• whether the type and location of pain have changed since then;
• what events usually precede the onset of illness (for example, physical activity or exposure to rain, etc.);
• what additional symptoms accompany the pain?

This will help to more accurately determine their origin and type.

The pain is dull, closer to aching

If the pain is tolerable, and the lower abdomen aches rather than tugs, then most often such sensations signal problems with the stomach or pancreas.

In this case, the malaise will be accompanied by additional symptoms:

• nausea and sometimes vomiting;
• subfibrile temperature (from 37 to 37.5).

The condition can be caused by eating provoking foods (for example, a lot of sweets at night, too fatty foods, especially when cold).

The cause of the malaise may be inflammation of the left ovary, or gynecological pathology of the uterus.

Then the clinical picture is usually supplemented by:

• discharge with blood from the vagina;
• a slight increase in temperature is possible.

If both ovaries are affected, the pain is floating, moving from left to right and back.

The source of dull pain in the lower abdomen can also be simple cystitis. In the chronic form, aching sensations are accompanied by:

• frequent urge to urinate;
• discomfort in the vaginal area.

You can relieve the condition by taking a hot bath.

In addition, aching pain in the left lower abdomen in a woman can be associated with tumor formations, varicose veins, bowel dysfunction, and inflammation of the hemorrhoidal vein.

Left-sided pain in the pelvic area can also be caused by a number of bone pathologies - postural deformation, fractures, inflammatory-destructive diseases of the spine.

Pulling sensations below

Mild nagging pain most often indicates an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system, which may be accompanied by:

• suppuration;
• pain that radiates to the lower back.

In this case, the pain may also go down to the left leg.

Irritable bowel syndrome, which has additional symptoms:

• constipation or diarrhea;
• bloating.

Often, with this ailment, spasmodic pain is superimposed on the pulling sensations in the lower abdomen.

Also, the cause of periodically occurring nagging pain may be a strangulated hernia or an inflamed area in the sigmoid or rectum.

Strangulated hernia

Pelvic neuralgia resulting from varicose veins, hernial formations, and pinched nerves. She is accompanied by:

• pain in the back or perineum, aggravated by physical activity;
• fast fatiguability.

Nagging pain in the lower back often appears after intense experiences and as a result of prolonged stressful situations.

Cutting pain, sharp colic on the left side

Sharp pain, intensifying with palpation to the point of excruciating pain, may be anatomically justified torsion of the leg of the myomatous node (although in the normal state, neoplasms with uterine or ovarian fibroids do not cause pain, or easily tolerated discomfort is felt).

This anomaly may have additional symptoms:

• disturbance of uterine bleeding;
• constipation;
• dizziness;
• infertility.

If this is accompanied by rapid heartbeat, profuse sweating and lightheadedness, then surgical intervention is urgently required.

An ectopic pregnancy is easy to recognize by general signs:

• breast enlargement;
• pain in the mammary glands;
• toxicosis (nausea, vomiting).

An abnormality is diagnosed on ultrasound.

Ovarian apoplexy (sudden rupture of the epididymal capsule), indicated by:

• sudden pallor;
• pressure drop;
• heart failure;
• general weakness;
• dizziness.

If you suspect apoplexy, you must immediately call an ambulance and wait for doctors, taking a horizontal position.

Acute left-sided pain can also be caused by the presence of infections such as dysentery, salmonellosis, gastroenteritis, or the presence of kidney stones or an attack of appendicitis.

Cramping pain

Such wave-like pain effects are characteristic of endometriosis of the uterus (hormone-dependent disease with tissue growth beyond its normal location), ovary (cyst formations) and distant parts of the reproductive system, often accompanied by:

• bleeding coinciding with uterine bleeding;
• inflammation of the myometrium.

Temporary infertility often occurs due to endometriosis, but it is cured within a few months.

Pain occurs when there is a threat of miscarriage (with a possible pregnancy), which is additionally indicated by:

• scarlet-colored bloody discharge;
• sudden pallor;
• hypotension;
• weakness;
• discomfort in the anus.

This condition requires immediate hospitalization. The most common ones are discussed in the video, which can be viewed by following the link:

Abdominal pain in the lower left: possible causes

The abdominal cavity contains many vital human organs. In particular, on the left side there is the spleen, large and small intestines and organs of the genitourinary system. And in each of these organs a malfunction can occur - they become inflamed, injured, deformed, tumors develop on them, etc. Most diseases and conditions that cause left-sided pain in the lower abdomen require immediate treatment.

Spleen

The spleen produces and utilizes blood cells. Any pathology of this organ can cause left-sided pain in the lower abdomen. In particular, we are talking about diseases and conditions of the spleen such as:

• Acute enlargement of the spleen - pathology can occur as a result of inflammation or impaired blood flow; in any case, the patient will be bothered by pain in the lower abdomen on the left, and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and increased body temperature may appear.
• Splenic infarction - blockage of the artery and the formation of a necrotic focus surrounding the thrombus; sharp pain appears in the left hypochondrium and goes down, its intensity increases with movement, coughing and even deep breathing, the patient also has a high body temperature (about 39 degrees).
• Volvulus of the spleen - sometimes (most often due to the congenital structural features of the human mesenteric ligaments or due to injury) the splenic artery is twisted, thereby causing gradually descending pain in the left side; the pain is accompanied by symptoms such as bloating, constipation, vomiting, and deterioration in general health.
• Splenic abscess - large abscesses that are potentially life-threatening: when they open into the abdominal cavity, they cause diffuse pain, which may well be felt in the lower left abdomen.
• Lymphocytic leukemia and myeloid leukemia (chronic forms) - oncology of the hematopoietic organs begins painlessly, but as the tumor grows, the pain increases: first they appear after eating and upon palpation.

Intestines

From the intestines, left-sided pain in the lower abdomen can occur for various reasons - from banal flatulence to much more serious conditions and diseases:

• Malabsorption is the inability of the small intestinal mucosa to accept a certain product (or group of products), for example, fruit or milk; occurs with bursting pain in the lower abdomen on the left (explained by the accumulation of gases) and cramping pain in the same area (as a result of spasm of the vessels and muscles of the intestinal walls).
• Crohn's disease - nodular inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is manifested not only by left-sided pain in the lower abdomen, but also by vomiting, diarrhea, general fatigue, and loss of appetite.
• Irritable bowel syndrome is accompanied by pain that can also bother the left lower abdomen, as well as flatulence, diarrhea or constipation. The disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbations.
• Nonspecific ulcerative colitis occurs with morphological changes in the intestinal walls, accompanied by paroxysmal colic of varying intensity.
• Polyposis - the appearance of benign formations (polyps) on the mucous membranes of some parts of the intestine can provoke left-sided pain in the lower abdomen.
• Intestinal obstruction is accompanied by severe pain, as well as accumulation of gases in the intestines and constipation, nausea and vomiting, bloating and obvious asymmetry.
• Intestinal volvulus is accompanied by severe paroxysmal pain, which completely recedes for a while, and then returns again, as well as vomiting.
• Oncology.

Reproductive system

There are a number of reasons that provoke pain in the lower left abdomen in women. These include the following ailments:

• Inflammation of the fallopian tubes - in addition to sharp pain in the groin (including localization on the left side), patients suffer from vaginal discharge, painful periods and high fever.
• Endometriosis - with this pathology, epithelial cells multiply outside the uterus, and they can also grow in the intestines.
• Rupture or twisting of the ovarian stalk - this dangerous condition is manifested by pain of very high intensity and disturbances in the general condition of the patient: pallor of the skin, drop in pressure, increase in temperature, vomiting. In this case, the patient needs emergency help.
• Adnexitis and salpingoophoritis - inflammation of the appendages is accompanied by acute pain in the lower abdomen, which intensifies when palpated.
• Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition for a woman, manifested by cramping pain, the intensity of which gradually increases; If the fallopian tube ruptures, the pain becomes unbearable, and the patient needs urgent medical attention.
• Allen-Masters syndrome - occurs due to rupture of the uterine ligaments due to difficult or rapid labor, abortion, etc.

Another of the many reasons that provoke left-sided pain in the lower abdomen in both men and women from the genitourinary system is the expansion of the renal pelvis.

Diagnostics

In order to accurately determine the cause of the pain, you need to undergo a comprehensive examination prescribed by a specialist.

Typically it includes:

1. Examination by a doctor (palpation and questioning of the patient).
2. A general blood test (will show the presence of inflammatory processes in the body), laboratory urine analysis (required for urological problems).
3. Ultrasound of the organ causing complaints.
4. Additional methods: tests of liver and pancreatic enzymes, as well as radiographic and endoscopic studies.

Based on the results of the examination, an individual scheme of therapeutic measures is developed for each patient.

Pathologies of the digestive system

This condition can be caused by intestinal diseases. These include ileitis, colitis, as well as cancerous tumors and infection with parasites (worms, amoebas). This kind of pain often occurs during an inflammatory process in the lower parts of the large intestine. In this case, there is a high likelihood that other symptoms will appear: bowel dysfunction, bloating. To get rid of the uncomfortable condition, you should temporarily give up fruits, fresh vegetables, spices and hot seasonings, black bread, and milk. If after a few days your health does not stabilize, you should consult your local doctor. If there is periodic colitis in the left side of the lower abdomen and diarrhea mixed with blood occurs, this is a clear sign of ulcerative colitis (Crohn's disease). In such situations, you must immediately call emergency help.

Step-by-step instructions in case of left-sided pain in the lower abdomen

Ignoring pain on the left side in the lower abdomen can be simply dangerous, because there is a pathologist who requires immediate hospitalization, so simply taking a painkiller pill is not enough, because the cause of the ailment will remain.

I propose to proceed according to the following plan:

1. Lie in the most comfortable position to reduce pain.
2. Remember about existing chronic diseases and conditions (cystitis, pregnancy).
3. Analyze the symptoms accompanying the current condition (dizziness, vomiting, etc.).
4. If the pain occurs for the first time and gradually only intensifies, it is better to call an ambulance.
5. When the pain is not severe, does not have serious accompanying symptoms and is not isolated in nature, then calling a doctor at home can be postponed, but it is still worth visiting the clinic in the near future.
6. If pain persists for the second (or third!) day in a row, then it is better to hurry up with a visit to the doctor.

It is important to remember: even mild pain can be a sign of a serious complication.

Anatomy of the left side of the human abdomen

To successfully diagnose the underlying disease and understand the causes of pain, you need to know what is on the left side of a person’s lower abdomen. Any organ can cause pain. Thanks to the work of the nervous system, pain is often reflected onto a neighboring organ (this often happens with the kidneys). Such pain in medicine is called “referred”.

Medicine identifies the following bone formations and organs in the left abdominal cavity:

• abdominal wall and lower ribs;
• spleen;
• pancreas;
• duodenum, small and large intestines;
• left kidney and ureter;
• vessels and nerves of the abdominal cavity.

Each of these areas of the human body can cause discomfort and pain. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by the attending physician based on the results of tests and studies.

Therapeutic measures: appointment with a specialist

Treatment involves, first of all, not relieving pain, but eliminating its root cause. And it can be either conservative or surgical in case of emergency medical intervention.

Most often, patients with left-sided lower abdominal pain are referred to the following specialists:

• surgeon;
• gynecologist;
• urologist;
• traumatologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• infectious disease specialist.

Because most often the source of pain is pathology of the appendages, left ureter, intestines, kidneys, hip joint and spleen. If necessary, the patient can be referred to an even more specialized specialist (virologist, nephrologist, etc.)

As we see, pain of the same nature can sometimes cause diseases of organs belonging to different body systems. Therefore, to accurately determine the source of pain, you need to consult a doctor and not self-heal. It is impossible, without special diagnostic measures, to identify with complete confidence why the lower abdomen hurts in women on the left. You cannot “treat” such ailments by taking painkillers - treatment must be comprehensive and recommended by a doctor.

Pathologies of the genitourinary system

Pain in women that worsens during menstruation may indicate the presence of endometriosis. With acute inflammation of the uterine appendages, there is also colitis in the left side of the lower abdomen. However, pain can also spread to the right side. In such cases, an increase in temperature is often observed. Similar symptoms occur as a result of an ectopic pregnancy. During movement, the pain may intensify and be acute and even cramping in nature. In this situation, you should consult a doctor immediately. Quite often, men face the problem of pain in the left side in the lower abdomen. Typically, this kind of sensation appears with pathologies of the genital organs, such as epididymitis, orchitis, varicocele, funiculitis, and testicular torsion. We should not forget about sexually transmitted infections. If you experience any discomfort in the lower abdomen, you should visit a doctor and get tested for chlamydia, tricimoniasis or gonorrhea.

Chronic and acute pyelonephritis, urolithiasis are those ailments in which patients can also complain of colitis in the left side of the lower abdomen. Moreover, the pain is quite sharp, and often radiates to the lower back. In acute pyelonephritis, general symptoms immediately occur: chills, severe weakness, fever. A stone moving from the left kidney into the bladder can also cause the symptom we are considering.