According to international cross-sectional data, the prevalence of abdominal pain is 25 to 25% worldwide. It’s one of the most common conditions found in people of all ages, but the causes might differ for different people. That’s why we are listing some conditions and causes of lower abdominal pain to help you understand your situation and seek medical attention.
Types of Lower Abdominal Pain
Before you think should I go to the ER for lower left abdominal pain, you need to learn what pain in different areas of the abdomen indicates. Four types of abdominal pain are based on dividing the diaphragm into four parts. As shown in the figure below:
1. Right Lower Abdominal Pain ICD 10
Right lower quadrant abdominal pain ICD 10 code is R10.31. Pain in this area indicates kidney, appendix, reproductive system, and small intestine issues.
2. Left Lower Abdominal Pain ICD 10
Left lower quadrant abdominal pain ICD 10 code is R10.32. Pain in this area indicates the issues majorly with your colon, like IBD, hernia, and diverticulosis.
Major Causes Of Lower Abdominal Pain In Different Conditions
We have shared some conditions that might cause lower abdominal pain in males and females. Let’s find the cause of your pain.
1. Lower Abdominal Pain In Women
Women experience lower abdominal pain more often than males due to their anatomy and extra organs like the uterus, ovaries, and reproductive organs. We have shared in deep detail the causes of sharp pain in lower left abdomen female, but now it’s time for common pain conditions women frequently go through.
- Lower abdominal pain years after hysterectomy (uterus removal surgery) is triggered by hormonal activity. It can be treated with pain relievers.
- Lower abdominal pain when wearing a tampon indicates vaginal dryness and tightness. Avoiding tampons and taking painkillers can help solve this problem.
- Lower abdominal pain 3 weeks after miscarriage is not common and needs immediate treatment. It may be caused by hormonal imbalances, residual discomfort, or severe issues in the uterus.
- Lower abdominal pain after menopause may feel like menstrual cramps but can indicate more severe issues like endometriosis, fibroids, or gastrointestinal problems.
2. Lower Abdominal Pain After Vasectomy
Men who undergo vasectomy often report pain in the area of the scrotum and lower abdomen. If you are also facing this pain, then rest assured, it’s very common and a part of the vasectomy healing process. It will ease with time and with the help of some painkillers.
3. Lower Abdominal Pain and Chest Pain
Sometimes the abdominal pain is accompanied by chest pain. What does that mean? These symptoms can indicate many conditions ranging from appendicitis, gas, stomach acid reflux, and even a heart attack.
Pain in the abdomen and chest might also be caused by two different problems. So, book an appointment with a physician to get a diagnosis for acute abdominal pain and treatment.
4. Lower Abdominal Pain After Drinking Water
The reason why your stomach hurts after drinking water is because you are drinking too fast, the water is too cold, and you are drinking too much on an empty stomach. The medical reason is that drinking too much water dilutes the sodium and other electrolytes in the blood, decreasing sodium concentration in the stomach and eventually causing abdominal cramps.
5. Lower Abdominal Pain After Eating Spicy Food
Spicy food contains capsaicin that can disturb the stomach and cause severe abdominal pain. It is also a leading cause of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) by causing bowel contractions. People with a high tolerance for spice might not be affected, but people with sensitive stomachs would be at higher risk of stomach issues and pain in the lower abdomen.
6. Lower Abdominal Pain After Colonoscopy
The biggest reason why most people experience abdominal pain after colonoscopy is the bloating. During the colonoscopy, air is pumped inside your colon to help the doctor examine it better. It will more likely cause pain in the lower abdomen, which will take some time to pass the gas and relieve the pain.
7. Lower Abdominal Pain When Coughing
You feel lower left abdominal pain when coughing because of the overuse of stomach muscles and strain—other causes of lower right abdominal pain when coughing are appendicitis or hernia.
Statistics Around The World For Lower Abdominal Pain
The following survey of ResearchGate was conducted to find the prevalence of leading causes behind abdominal pain in both males and females.
| Causes | Males | Females |
| Acute abdomen | 0.56% | 0.63% |
| Appendicitis | 3.98% | 3.65% |
| Cholecystitis | 0.88% | 0.67% |
| Diverticulitis | 3.50% | 3.75% |
| Gastritis/peptic ulcer | 2.65% | 2.70% |
| Gastroenteritis | 1.93% | 1.93% |
| Gynecologic pain | 0 | 4.21% |
| Hernia | 1.09% | 0.60% |
| Iatrogenic pain | 2.37% | 2.77% |
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) | 0.39% | 0.39% |
| Liver disease | 0.68% | 0.39% |
| Oncologic pain | 1.17% | 1.16% |
| Nonspecific abdominal pain in pregnant women | 0 | 0.81% |
| Pancreatitis | 2.17% | 1.65% |
| Renal Colic | 39.40% | 24.01% |
| Urinary tract Infection (UTI) | 0.76% | 2.66% |
Relieve Your Lower Abdominal Pain Today!
If you are experiencing abdominal pain due to any of the above conditions, you need to go for immediate medical care. The physician will also prescribe medicine, surgery, painkillers, or physical therapy. That’s why feel free to contact county physical therapy to take advantage of the skills of our experienced PTs.
Research Material:
Chronic Abdominal Pain in General Practice | Digestive Diseases | Karger Publishers
Frequency of causes of acute abdominal pain in the patient population, classified according to the gender
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