Pain in the lower left abdomen in men: Causes and treatment

It might be a dull ache. It might be a sharp, piercing pain. It might be something in between. The permutations of pain in the lower left abdomen in men can vary, and so can the causes of the pain. The key is learning about the causes of pain in the lower abdomen in men—specifically when it occurs on the left side—and when to take action.  

Key takeaways:

• Male lower abdominal pain below the belly button on the left side is a symptom that may be caused by a number of causes, including constipation, diverticulitis, kidney stones, or testicular torsion. 
• Typically, male lower abdominal pain below the belly button on the left side does not require immediate medical attention if it’s mild pain.
• However, male lower abdominal pain below the belly button on the left side generally does require treatment if it’s sharp or sudden pain. 
• Treatments of male lower abdominal pain below the belly button on the left side vary by cause. Read more about treatments for diverticulitis, constipation, and urinary tract infections. 
• Male lower abdominal pain below the belly button on the left side that’s caused by gas pain can sometimes be managed with exercise or walking.

What causes male lower abdominal pain on the left side?

Men may experience pain in their lower left abdomen as a result of gastrointestinal issues or urologic issues, among others. 

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches or bulges called diverticula that have developed along the lining of the intestine become inflamed or infected. In addition to pain in the lower abdomen, other symptoms of diverticulitis include fever, diarrhea, constipation, or change in bowel movements, and the pain tends to be more severe on the left side. 

Infectious colitis

An infection of the colon can cause severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli bacteria, usually from contaminated food or water, are among the most common bacterial causes of infectious colitis.

Constipation

Constipation can also cause pain to develop in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. This common condition is listed among numerous possible diagnoses in a topic review from the American Academy of Family Physicians. There are a number of potential causes of constipation, including the habit of eating a low-fiber diet. It might also be accompanied by gas.

Irritable bowel syndrome

The pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often crops up on the lower left side of the abdomen. It’s also possible to experience episodes of sharp, shooting pain, followed by periods of a dull ache, followed by more of the sharp pain. Sometimes, the pain will lessen after having a bowel movement, but it may not completely go away. 

Kidney stones

A kidney stone passing from your left kidney through the ureter to your bladder might cause pain in the lower left abdomen. “Kidney stones usually start as back flank pain,” notes Dr. Kenneth Brown, MD, a gastroenterologist in Plano, Texas, and the host of the Gut Check Project podcast. “But the pain can spread to the lower abdomen and groin area. It can be intense and accompanied by symptoms like nausea and blood in the urine.”

Urinary tract infections

The constant urge to urinate or perhaps some pain during urination are signs of a urinary tract infection. But men might also experience some pain in the lower left quadrant of their abdomen. It’s also possible that some blood might appear in the urine. 

Pyelonephritis

More commonly known as a kidney infection, pyelonephritis is an infection that usually moves from the bladder to the kidneys. It may cause pain in the lower left abdomen, but it can also cause lower back pain, pain during urination, and fever.

Acute urinary retention 

The inability to urinate causes some rather serious discomfort. Urinary retention tends to occur more often in men than in women, often as a side effect of an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. 

Inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernias, which occur in the groin, are the most common type of hernia. “A hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles,” says Dr. Brown. “Hernias can cause discomfort or sharp pain, particularly when coughing, bending over, or lifting heavy objects.” They can also cause serious complications if not addressed, including small bowel obstruction or tissue death. 

Testicular torsion

The testicles can rotate or twist around when they are not well connected to the surrounding scrotum. When a testicle twists around the spermatic cord, it can cut off the flow of blood to the testicle, causing intense pain. It’s relatively rare, affecting about 1 in 4,000 men. But when it does occur, it’s serious. 

Other possible causes

It’s also possible to feel pain in the lower left abdomen from causes that affect the entire abdomen or start on the right side. For example, pain that’s associated with appendicitis, which is inflammation in the appendix, will start on the right side, but if the appendix bursts, it could affect the whole abdomen, including the left side. 

Crohn’s disease, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often causes cramps or crampy pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. However, the pain can develop anywhere along the digestive tract, so it could also affect the lower left side. Ulcerative colitis, another variety of IBD, can also cause pain in the region.

Possibilities in this location also include abdominal wall strains. “These can be surprisingly painful and can go unrecognized,” Dr. Brown says. “Since the abdominal wall is a core muscle, it can be hard to heal.”

Should men be worried about pain in the lower left abdomen?

“If the pain is mild, it might not warrant any immediate action. Pain that waxes and wanes might even just be caused by gas pains or muscle strain,” says Omer Raheem, MD, a urologist who specializes in male sexual health and the co-chief medical officer of Zuri Fertility. However, severe or persistent pain is a reason to seek medical care right away. 

Why the urgency? Some causes of abdominal pain, including pain in the lower left quadrant, require immediate medical treatment. For example, “Testicular torsion requires urgent surgery or manual detorsion of the testicle,” says Dr. Raheem. According to the Cleveland Clinic, men who get treated within four to six hours usually keep their affected testicle, but only about one-half of the people who get treated after 12 hours keep their testicle. 

Another example of male left-side pain that requires immediate medical attention is diverticulitis. “If you have sharp pain that is localized and accompanied by fever, this could be diverticulitis, an infection in your colon, or colitis. You should see a doctor immediately if this is the case,” Dr. Raheem says.

Men with pain in their lower left abdomen should consult a doctor. They should get immediate medical attention for certain coinciding symptoms, including the following:

• Fever
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Signs of dehydration, such as extreme thirst, little-to-no urination, or dizziness
• Trouble breathing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin
• Severe tenderness in the abdominal area
• Abdominal swelling
• Changes in bowel movements or urination
• Blood in stool or urine
• Severe constipation
• Persistent diarrhea
• Scrotal pain

Men who know they have a history of certain medical conditions like heart disease—or reason to believe that the heart may be involved—should also not wait to see a doctor if they develop lower left abdominal pain. Additionally, men who have experienced a recent injury to their abdomen or undergone surgery or a medical procedure should also seek medical attention right away.

How is the cause of pain in the lower abdomen in men diagnosed?

Diagnosis will typically include several key elements, including a patient history, an exam, and possibly also some imaging tests. 

“To understand what’s happening, we’ll start by conducting a comprehensive history and physical examination,” Dr. Brown says. 

Some of the key questions that Dr. Brown says he would ask include:

• When did the pain begin? 
• Where is your pain located? 
• Does the pain radiate? 
• Does it worsen or come and go? 
• Do certain movements exacerbate it? 
• Have you noticed any relief after having a bowel movement? 
• Are you experiencing diarrhea or constipation? 
• Have you had any fever or chills? 
• Have you noticed any blood in the urine?

The patient’s responses will determine the appropriate diagnostic tests. If the condition requires a doctor’s attention or a visit to the emergency room, the usual tests may include a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, a complete blood panel, and possibly a urine analysis. 

For example, a urologist who suspects that the cause of lower left abdominal pain in a male patient could be the result of testicular torsion will likely start with a physical examination of the scrotum. After that, they might order a urine test and a scrotal ultrasound. 

For a suspected inguinal hernia, a doctor might order an imaging test like an ultrasound to get a better look at the affected area in the groin. According to Cleveland Clinic, a CT scan might be necessary, too, in rare cases. 

However, sometimes other tests may be necessary, too, depending on the suspected cause. A doctor may order a CT scan, in addition to the blood and urine tests, to help diagnose diverticulitis. As another example, a colonoscopy may be necessary to diagnose IBD.

How long does male lower abdominal pain on the left side last?

The cause of the pain affects how long the lower abdominal pain on the left side lasts. Gas pain might be relatively short-lived, as it can sometimes be addressed by walking, yoga, or other exercise. However, other types of pain may require more extensive treatment, including surgery in the most serious cases, to address the source of the pain. 

How to stop pain in the lower left abdomen

Knowing the cause of the pain is the key to male lower abdominal pain below the belly button on the left side treatment. 

Relatively minor causes may not require extensive treatment to stop the pain. For example, if you know that gas and bloating are the source of the pain, drink some warm water or try stretching. OR, it might be more effective to take an over-the-counter gas relief medication such as Gas-X (simethicone) or Beano (alpha-galactosidase). 

RELATED: How to remove gas from the stomach instantly

Similarly, some home remedies can reduce the pain associated with a urinary tract infection, but an antibiotic is necessary to knock out the bacteria causing the pain itself—and it’s necessary to keep taking the full course of antibiotics even after the pain goes away. 

However, the onset of sharp, sudden pain could be a sign that something is seriously wrong and requires more extensive treatment. 

“If you are ever in doubt about the severity and cause of your abdominal pain, it is best to err on the side of caution and consult a healthcare professional,” says Dr. Raheem.

When to see a doctor for male lower-left abdominal pain below the belly button

Male lower abdominal pain below the belly button on the left side causes may include diverticulitis, hernia, constipation, gas, or any of a number of other factors. The pain may resolve on its own without treatment. However, if the pain continues, worsens, or is accompanied by fever, swelling, or other symptoms, it could be a sign of an infection and may require treatment. Only your healthcare provider can rule out infection or other serious health conditions. Visit your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment for your specific situation.