Lower Back & Abdominal Pain: Causes & Getting Relief

Key takeaways:

• They may seem unrelated, but these two symptoms can occur together due to several conditions.
• Additional symptoms can help your doctor identify the specific cause.
• The location of the abdominal pain is also important in identifying a specific cause.

Lower back and abdominal pain are common complaints and many people experience one or the other at least once in their lives. Experiencing these two seemingly unrelated symptoms together is not only uncomfortable but may also be confusing and concerning. In this article, we will review what causes lower back and abdominal pain to occur together, and how to identify when these symptoms require medical intervention.

Are lower back and abdominal pain related?

The connection between lower back and abdominal pain may seem unclear at first, but there are actually several reasons for both areas to hurt simultaneously. These pains can be related to digestive issues, musculoskeletal problems, or even more serious conditions affecting organs such as the kidneys, liver, or reproductive organs.

Normal vs. abnormal lower back and abdominal pain

It is important to distinguish between normal and abnormal pain when it comes to the lower back and abdomen. Normal pain might result from a muscle strain, digestive discomfort, or discomfort felt during menstruation and will typically resolve with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications. Abnormal pain would be described as severe, persistent, and accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Symptoms associated with lower back and abdominal pain

If you are experiencing these two symptoms at once, you should pay close attention to any other symptoms that may be occurring simultaneously. The addition of other symptoms can give clues as to the underlying cause.

Fever

If you are experiencing lower back and abdominal pain alongside a fever, an infection should be considered the primary cause. Infections of the bladder, kidneys, digestive tract, and reproductive tract can all be causes of these symptoms occurring together.

Nausea and vomiting

Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting could be a sign of a gastrointestinal issue such as a stomach or intestinal infection, or appendicitis. It can also be a sign of kidney stones, particularly if the symptoms occur intermittently. If these symptoms are experienced in a female patient, ovarian cysts and ovarian torsion should be considered.

Diarrhea

Diverticulitis refers to inflammation in a sac-like protrusion of the colon wall. It is associated with left-sided lower abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, fever, and nausea and vomiting. Back pain is not a common feature of diverticulitis, but may occur as a result of referred pain from severe inflammation.

Pain with urination

A burning sensation when urinating, also referred to as dysuria, often indicates a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection. If you have a significant infection, you will likely notice a burning sensation every time you urinate.

How to tell if lower back and abdominal pain are related

Determining whether your lower back and abdominal pain are linked requires you to pay attention to additional factors. For example, if both areas are painful after eating a heavy meal, it may be due to bloating or digestive issues. If both symptoms are felt following physical activity, the pain could be musculoskeletal. Keeping track of your symptoms can help your doctor make a more accurate diagnosis.

Causes of lower back and abdominal pain

Causes of both of these symptoms can be related to the urinary tract, the gastrointestinal tract, the reproductive system, or the musculoskeletal system.

UTI

A urinary tract infection is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain and lower back pain. UTIs can cause inflammation and discomfort in the bladder, leading to discomfort in both the lower abdomen and lower back.

Kidney stone

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys as a result of infection, medications, diet, dehydration, and underlying disease processes. Kidney stones tend to sit in the kidneys but they can move and can travel down the urinary tract. If a kidney stone is large or causing a blockage, this movement can result in severe lower back pain that radiates to the side and lower abdomen or groin. The pain is often sharp and intermittent.

Gynecological causes

For women, reproductive issues like ovarian cysts, ovarian torsion, fibroids, or endometriosis can cause pain in both the lower back and abdomen. This pain may occur alongside irregular periods, pelvic tenderness, or changes in urinary habits. Pregnancy may also cause lower back and abdominal pain to occur together.

Considerations based on the lower back and abdominal pain’s location

Paying attention to anatomy is important when it comes to these symptoms. The specific location of the pain can help narrow down the potential causes.

Lower back and lower abdominal pain

Pain in both the lower back and lower abdomen could indicate conditions like urinary tract infections, or gastrointestinal issues like diverticulitis or appendicitis.

Lower back and lower right abdominal pain

This combination of symptoms may be associated with appendicitis, a condition where the appendix becomes inflamed. Other causes could include kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or issues with the ovaries in women.

Lower back and lower left abdominal pain

Pain in these areas could be related to conditions such as diverticulitis or constipation. Women may also experience this kind of pain due to ovarian cysts.

Lower back and left abdominal pain

In addition to diverticulitis, gastroenteritis, and peptic ulcer disease, gas and bloating due to digestive issues can cause lower back and left-sided abdominal pain. Kidney stones on the left side can also cause these symptoms.

Lower back and right abdominal pain

Right-sided kidney stones, gallstones, inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, or liver-related conditions should all be considered if you are experiencing right abdominal pain and lower back pain.

Lower back pain and abdominal pain in women

In women, this combination of symptoms could be caused by a range of conditions, including menstrual cramps, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts or torsion, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Lower back pain and abdominal pain in men

In men, these symptoms could be linked to conditions like prostatitis, hernias, testicular torsion, kidney stones, or urinary tract infections.

How to get relief from lower back and abdominal pain at home

If you are dealing with mild symptoms, there are a few home treatments that may provide relief.

OTC medications

Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help with mild to moderate pain. There are also over-the-counter medications used to help with urinary discomfort specific to urinary tract infections.

Diet

Inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome are two categories of digestive issues that can lead to both diarrhea and constipation. Changes in bowel habits can lead to inflammation and pain in both the abdomen and lower back. Tailoring your diet to maintain normal bowel movements and minimize diarrhea and constipation can be helpful.

Heat

Applying a warm compress or heating pad to the lower back can help alleviate muscle tension and reduce pain.

How to prevent lower back and abdominal pain

You may not be able to prevent all conditions that cause lower back and abdominal pain, but some causes can be prevented by being proactive.

Exercise and core strengthening

Engaging in regular physical activity strengthens the muscles of the back and core, reducing the risk of muscle strain. Exercise can also maintain regular bowel movements and minimize the risk of constipation that can cause symptoms.

Diet

Eating a balanced diet rich in fiber helps to prevent constipation and digestive issues which can contribute to abdominal pain. Staying hydrated can also help. Avoiding foods high in fat and sugar can minimize the risk of experiencing diarrhea.

When to see a doctor about lower back and abdominal pain

Most cases of lower back pain and abdominal pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

You should see a doctor if:

• Pain lasts more than 24 hours.
• You experience fever, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or urinary discomfort.
• You notice a small amount of blood in the stool or urine.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You would describe your pain as severe.
• You have loss of control over the bowels and bladder.

Questions to ask your doctor about lower back and abdominal pain

• Is it normal to experience these symptoms together?
• What could be causing these symptoms to occur at the same time?
• Are there any tests that can be done to determine the cause of my pain?
• What treatment options are available for my symptoms?

How a doctor can help treat lower back and abdominal pain

If you are experiencing these symptoms together, you should speak to your doctor to see what treatments are available.

Medication

If you are diagnosed with a bacterial urinary infection or kidney infection, antibiotics are necessary in order to get better. In some cases of severe kidney infections, IV antibiotics are needed. If your symptoms are due to kidney stones, your healthcare provider may give you pain medication for relief.

Surgical intervention

In some cases, kidney stones are so large that they are not able to pass through the urinary tract on their own. There are several different procedural options that exist to remove or break up the kidney stone depending on the size. Other conditions such as appendicitis, gallstones, hernias, and ovarian or testicular torsion may require surgical intervention.

Frequently asked questions: lower back and abdominal pain

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to these symptoms.

What if you’re experiencing lower back pain, abdominal pain, and diarrhea?

This combination of symptoms could indicate a chronic digestive issue such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease or an acute infection in the bladder or GI tract.

Can a urinary tract infection (UTI) cause lower back and abdominal pain?

Yes. Lower back pain and abdominal pain are two common symptoms of a UTI, especially if they occur alongside painful or frequent urination.

Conclusion

Experiencing both abdominal pain and low back pain simultaneously can be a sign of various underlying conditions, ranging from gastrointestinal issues to musculoskeletal to urinary or reproductive tract issues. Paying attention to the location, intensity, and duration of the pain, as well as any accompanying symptoms can help identify a cause. While most causes are not life-threatening, the majority do require a visit to your healthcare provider.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

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