Common Causes of Pain in the Lower Right Abdomen

09/16/2025

Let’s check out the severe/serious causes of pain in the lower right abdomen:

The reasons for pain in the lower right abdomen can be serious and usually need immediate medical attention. If left ignored, they can lead to a wide range of complications. Therefore, get yourself checked if you suspect having any of the following health conditions, which may contribute to/provoke pain in the lower right abdomen: 

Appendicitis:

When you feel the pain specifically in the lower right abdomen, appendicitis is seen as one of the most common causes. The appendix is a tube-like structure that is attached to the large intestine. This condition usually occurs when the inflammation attacks the appendix, leading to pain in the middle of the abdomen, which gradually spreads to the right lower abdomen, where the pain intensifies. Other symptoms that occur with sharp pain include:

• Fever

• Weakness

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Low appetite

• Diarrhea 

In some instances, removal of the appendix through surgery seems to be the only option to terminate right-sided pain. In addition to this, the removal of the appendix is harmless and doesn’t lead to future complications. If the appendix is the cause of pain, get it removed as soon as possible after consulting a healthcare professional. 

Kidney stones: 

Another cause of sharp pain in the lower right abdomen could be kidney stones, which are medically known as nephrolithiasis. The build-up of minerals, especially calcium, forms kidney stones, which may lead to a wide range of complications, ranging from sharp pain to difficulty passing urine.   

The size of kidney stones may contrast from one person to another. If the size of the stone present in your kidney is tiny, it will easily pass through the urinary system without any problem. On the other hand, if the size of the stone is large, it can easily get stuck in the body, causing symptoms such as sharp pain in the abdomen, groin, and around the lower back. The location and severity of the pain may fluctuate depending on the movement of the stones through the urinary system. In addition to pain, you may also have to bear symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine.

Kidney infections:

Having bacteria in the urinary system can result in an infection in one or both kidneys. This infection, as a result, causes pain in the side, lower back, and groin. People with this infection may also feel pain in the right part of the stomach.

If left untreated or unattended, it can aggravate the condition or may cause permanent damage to your kidneys. If you are experiencing sharp pain along with other discomforting symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. People at higher risk, such as those with diabetes, pregnant individuals, or kidney transplant recipients, shouldn’t delay seeking medical assistance. Other symptoms, in addition to the pain, may consist of fever, nausea, vomiting, painful urination, increased urge to pee, etc.

Kidney infections may also be mistaken for other conditions associated with urinary tract infections, such as cystitis.

Hernia:

Hernia is also reported as one of the common reasons for pain in the abdominal area. It is a condition that occurs when internal organs or tissues protrude through a weakened area in a muscle or tissue wall, causing a small lump. This condition, known as a hernia, typically occurs in the abdominal area.                                                                                                                      

In most cases, Groin and femoral hernias occur on the right side of the abdomen. The intensity and severity of pain may accelerate over time, affecting your day-to-day life greatly. The treatment will be decided by your medical professional upon assessing your overall health. Whether you need surgery or not depends on the type of hernia you are diagnosed with.

Irritable bowel syndrome and Inflammatory bowel disease

IBS is the acronym for irritable bowel syndrome, which is a chronic digestive system condition, wherein you may feel abdominal pain along with the following symptoms:

• Stomach cramps

• Constipation

• Gas

• Bloating

• Diarrhoea 

In addition to the above, inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term that encompasses all medical conditions that affect the digestive system. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can induce inflammation in the gut and are responsible for the majority of IBD cases. These conditions can provoke pain in the lower abdomen along with other symptoms such as: 

• Tiredness

• Weight loss

• Persistent diarrhea

• Increased urge to have a bowel movement

The following are the less serious causes of pain in the lower right abdomen: 

Experiencing pain in the lower right abdomen can be due to a wide range of complications. Sometimes, it may be fleeting and may not need medical intervention. The following are the less severe causes of pain in the lower right abdomen:

Menstrual cramps:

Experiencing a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain before or during the menstrual cycle in females, is pretty common. Females may experience mild to moderate pain in the back and chest, along with the feeling of nausea and headaches. 

Ovarian cyst:

A cyst comes as a sac-like pocket of membranous tissue that consists of air, fluid, or other substances, which can grow on the ovaries. Cysts are usually harmless, but sometimes they can result in sharp or dull abdominal pain. Other symptoms may include irregular periods, vomiting, heavy or light periods, etc.

Inguinal hernia:

An inguinal hernia usually occurs when the fatty tissue or a part of the bowel protrudes through the inguinal canal in the lower abdomen. On a gender basis, these hernias are more common in males.

Testicular torsion:

You may feel right-sided abdominal pain along with other symptoms when the spermatic cords attached to the testicles twist, restricting blood flow. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, pain, and swelling in the scrotum.

Conclusion: 

As mentioned above, experiencing pain in the lower right abdomen may have a wide range of causes, ranging from kidney stones to a hernia. If the pain is mild and occurs intermittently, it may subside on its own without any complications. On the other hand, if the pain is severe and affecting your daily routine, get it checked immediately. Experiencing pain in any part of the abdomen can indicate a serious underlying condition. If left unattended, it can exacerbate the underlying issue and may lead to additional complications. Hence, listen to your body and its needs before it’s too late.