10 Types of Stomach Pain in Women: How To Tell What’s Really Causing Your Discomfort
From heartburn to hernias, doctors share tips to zero in on your pain trigger
It’s easy to feel lost in the vast wilderness that is stomach—or more accurately, abdominal—pain. But doctors have learned to read our midsection like a map. And where our pain radiates from often broadcasts important information about what may be causing the discomfort. As they say, it’s all about location, location, location. Here, experts reveal common types of stomach pain in women, based on where the pain flares are felt most. Use this knowledge (and our handy chart below) to help you find a clear path to treatment and healing.
Why the location of your stomach pain matters
This guide to pinpointing different types of abdominal pain is rudimentary and far from high-tech medicine. But it’s a valuable tool and often a first step in getting a proper diagnosis. For example, knowing that the appendix sits on the right side of the body can help you quickly recognize when a sharp pain there might be a medical emergency.
“The location of abdominal pain can often be used as a clue as to the possible cause of abdominal pain,” confirms gastroenterologist Leybelis Padilla, MD, founder of Unlocking GI. “There are a few classic locations, and possibly even associated symptoms, that we can use that further detail or help us pinpoint the ultimate cause.”
Woman's World Answers
10 types of stomach pain in women
Like Ms. Pac-Man on a vintage video game screen, abdominal pain can pop up in the upper or lower parts of our midsection and on either the left or right sides. “Abdominal pain is a complex symptom with causes that often depend on the precise location and character,” says Michael Genovese, MD, Chief Medical Advisor at AscendantNY in New York City. Here’s a look at each of those different areas:
Right upper abdominal pain
“Pain in the upper right [abdomen] is most commonly linked to the liver or gallbladder, with conditions such as gallstones, cholecystitis or hepatitis frequently responsible,” says Dr. Genovese.
Left upper abdominal pain
“Upper left quadrant discomfort may stem from gastric inflammation, an enlarged spleen or pain from the chest or heart,” Dr. Genovese adds.
General upper abdominal pain
“Mid-upper abdominal pain can be a sign of pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas,” says Dr. Padilla. The bulk of that organ starts in the center of the upper abdomen and extends towards the left.
Have a burning sensation? The upper middle area is also where discomfort from stomach-acid issues, such as heartburn and GERD might be felt.
More options: “Pain in the upper middle abdomen is often related to the stomach or upper small intestine and can result from gastritis (inflammation) or peptic ulcer disease,” says Dr. Genovese. The upper middle is known as the epigastric region, and it can also be home to a hiatal hernia.
Side middle abdominal pain
A bit lower down from the diaphragm, in the middle of our midsections, there are other factors at play. Dr. Padilla says, “Kidney stones are classically crampy, severe pain that is usually on the sides of the abdomen that may even radiate down to the area of the groin.”
The mid-left and right sections are considered our lumbar regions. That’s also where you might feel lumbar hernia pain.
Central abdominal pain
The belly button area of our midsection is called the umbilical region. Some women develop painful hernias there, too.
Right lower abdominal pain
“Low right abdominal pain is in the area of the appendix and can be a sign of appendicitis, especially if pain starts near the belly button and then moves,” explains Dr. Padilla.
Left lower abdominal pain
“Left lower quadrant pain often points to colonic causes such as diverticulitis or constipation,” suggests Dr. Genovese.
General lower abdominal pain
The lower left and right sides are home to the iliac crest—the top of our hip bones that some people can feel through their clothing. Those areas are easy to tweak during exercise, yard work or housework, leading to soreness and hip pain.
Another possible culprit: “Lower quadrant pain may reflect ovarian cysts or pelvic inflammatory disease in women,” says Dr. Genovese. And of course, central lower abdominal pain could also be caused by menstrual cramps or urinary tract infections.
All-over abdominal pain
“Diffuse or central abdominal pain, particularly if accompanied by bloating or altered bowel habits, may suggest irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),” says Dr. Genovese. Other possibilities include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. More common culprits could be a build-up of excess gas from a habit of drinking carbonated beverages. And although rare, an early bowel obstruction—marked by pain, bloating and an inability to pass gas—is a medical emergency.
As for that tummy upset we often get: Dr. Padilla explains, “In the case of viral gastroenteritis or the ‘stomach flu or stomach bug,’ you can have more generalized abdominal pain, but symptoms are predominantly gastrointestinal and can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.”
Pain that moves from front to back
“Pain that radiates to the back may indicate kidney involvement, while sharp, localized pain that worsens with movement can indicate peritoneal irritation from infection or perforation,” says Dr. Genovese.
Dr. Padilla adds, “In addition, classic pancreatitis pain is pain that radiates from the mid-upper abdominal area to the back.”
What if your type of stomach pain isn’t listed?
If your pain doesn’t seem to match these initial clues, know this: Sometimes, where you experience abdominal pain is a false indicator. “There is also something called ’referred pain’ where the pain can be thought to be felt in one particular area of the abdomen, but really, it’s emanating from another part of the abdomen,” explains Dr. Padilla.
What to do then? “Sometimes, the history of a patient can help discern the difference. And other times, after obtaining a good history and physical, obtaining abdominal imaging studies such as an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI can be helpful,” she says.
The bottom line on stomach pain in women
Location offers a major clue. But there’s more to abdominal pain than just its address. “Evaluating abdominal pain requires careful attention to timing, triggers and accompanying symptoms such as fever, nausea, jaundice or changes in bowel habits to distinguish benign gastrointestinal issues from surgical emergencies,” says Dr. Genovese. So seek medical care if pain is unusual, severe or lasting.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
