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Lower Abdominal PainLower abdominal pain is any discomfort or annoying sensation rising or occurring in the abdomen below the belly button or umbilicus. Such pain could be on the right lower abdomen or on the left lower abdomen. It could also be directly just below the belly button or umbilicus in the mid line. It is a fairly common problem, especially in women, because of the presence of the womb, tubes and ovaries in this region of the abdomen, in addition to the other organs found in men. Appendicitis, bladder infection or cystitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, menstrual or period pain, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, urine tract infection, fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, lower ureteric stones, and constipation are the most common causes of lower abdominal pain. Causes of pain in the lower abdomen are almost endless. Largely though, it could arise from the large bowel (colon) especially the beginning (Caecum and Appendicitis) or the end, (sigmoid colon and rectum). Lower abdominal pain could also arise from lower end of the right or left ureters, urinary bladder, womb and fallopian tubes, the lower poles of the kidneys, spermatic cord in men, and testicles. These are all structures in the lower abdomen. Pain in the lower abdomen can also be caused by problems arising from the back, upper abdomen (like leaking stomach ulcer draining to the lower abdomen), blood e.g. diabetes, lymphoma, sickle cell disease or totally far away from the abdomen, like emotional worries or sexual assault. To understand the causes of pain in the lower abdomen further, we shall discuss this under the following headings:
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