Skip to content
Testmottagningen logo
en
sv
Testmottagningen logo

Stomach pain on the left side – what could be causing it?

2025-07-01

Stomach pain on the left side – what could be causing it?

Pain located on the left side of the abdomen is a common symptom that can have several causes – ranging from harmless stomach upset to more serious conditions. Here we go over common causes of experiencing pain in the abdomen on the left side and what it could mean.

Contents

Quick version

Where in your stomach does it hurt?

By locating the pain and observing any other symptoms that may occur at the same time, you can get a better picture of why you have stomach pain.

Pain in the upper left part – under the ribs

Pain in the stomach under the left rib can be due to:

  • Gas problems – this is a common and harmless condition that can cause a feeling of pressure and discomfort.
  • The spleen – if you have an enlarged or damaged spleen (for example after an infection or in case of blood diseases), this can cause pain in this area.
  • Gastritis or stomach ulcer – in case of inflammation of the stomach, pain can occur just below the rib cage.
  • Pancreatitis – a inflammation of the pancreas can radiate to the left side and also be associated with nausea.

Pain in the lower left part of stomach

Pain further down the left side can be due to:

  • Diverticulitis – this is an inflammation of the intestinal pouches that is common in older people. This often causes pain in the left lower abdomen and sometimes fever.
  • Constipation – can lead to pressure and tenderness, especially on the left side where the colon bends.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – the condition causes recurring pain and swelling, often on the left side, along with changes in bowel habits.
  • Gynecological causes in women – such as ovulation, endometriosis or cysts on the left ovary. Read more about common causes of pain in the left side of the abdomen in women here.
  • Kidney stone or Urinary tract infectionurinary tract infection – if the pain is deeper and radiates to the back or groin, it may be due to one of these conditions.

Then it's time to seek medical attention

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention:

  • Sudden and severe pain
  • Fever and at the same time an affected general condition
  • Blood in your stool or urine
  • Pain that does not go away or that recurs regularly

Questions and answers

Pain located on the left side of the stomach can have several causes. For example, it could be gas, constipation, inflamed pouches of the intestines (diverticulitis), or problems with the pancreas.

It's quite common to have pain right there, and it's often due to something harmless – like constipation or IBS. But it could also be due to an inflamed pouch of the intestine (diverticulitis), especially if you're a bit older.

If you have pain under your left rib cage, it could be due to gas, gastritis, or even problems with your spleen. Sometimes the pain can also come from your pancreas, especially if you feel nauseous at the same time.

Yes, it can. Kidney stones on the left side usually feel like an intense, cramping pain that radiates to the back or groin. Sometimes there may also be blood in the urine or a strong need to urinate frequently.

You should contact healthcare if the pain comes on suddenly and is severe, if you develop a fever and feel generally unwell, if you see blood in your stool or urine, or if the symptoms do not go away or keep coming back.