Comparing the Causes of Right Lower Abdominal Pain in Men and Women

The pain signals sent by your body can be a sign that something is wrong. So if you feel pain in any area, it is better not to take it lightly and to get a detailed examination at a medical institution. In particular, if other abnormal symptoms accompany the pain, the cause of the condition may be significant, so it is best to identify the cause quickly.

Common areas of pain we may feel in daily life include abdominal pain and pain in the abdomen.

Did you know that the causes of lower abdominal pain, which we often experience, can differ slightly between men and women? Today, let’s briefly look at the differences in the causes of right lower abdominal pain in men and women.

4 Causes of Right Lower Abdominal Pain in Men

1. Appendicitis

First, a common cause may be appendicitis. Appendicitis can also occur in women, but it is also commonly seen in men. In the early stage, pain starts around the navel and may gradually move to the lower right side. If symptoms such as vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite accompany this pattern of pain, appendicitis may be suspected.

2. Colon-related diseases

If you have a colon-related disease, pain may also be felt in the lower right abdomen. Representative examples include irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and colon cancer. In particular, colon cancer is harder to detect because there are no symptoms in the early stage, so extra caution is needed. If blood in the stool, weight loss, and fatigue continue along with the pain, it is a good idea to identify the detailed cause at a medical institution.

3. Prostatitis

In the case of right lower abdominal pain in men, prostatitis is also a possible cause. It is a condition in which the prostate gland in men becomes inflamed, and it is relatively common to the point that adult men are said to experience it at least once in their lifetime. It is divided into acute and chronic forms, and the symptoms and treatments differ. In acute cases, symptoms such as high fever, chills, and generalized muscle aches may accompany pain during urination.

4. Urinary stones

Lastly, in men, right lower abdominal pain may also be caused by urinary stones. Urinary stones are stones formed in the kidneys that can cause pain as they move down the urinary tract. Symptoms such as blood in the urine and frequent urination may appear along with the pain.

4 Causes of Right Lower Abdominal Pain in Women

1. Gynecological conditions

In women, gynecological conditions may be the cause. Abnormalities in the uterus or ovaries can cause pain in the right side of the abdomen. Representative examples include ovulation pain, ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, and endometriosis. In particular, with endometriosis, endometrial tissue that should be inside the uterus exists outside the uterus and can cause pain. Severe pain often appears during menstruation and often lasts more than 3 days.

2. Cystitis

Another possible cause is cystitis. Cystitis is a condition in which the bladder becomes inflamed, and it is mainly caused by bacterial infection. It occurs more commonly in women than in men, and bacterial cystitis is said to account for about 80% of all cases. It may involve urinating more than 8 times a day, a burning sensation during urination, and discomfort in the right side of the abdomen. It can be felt when immunity is weakened and under stress or excessive fatigue.

3. Gallbladder stones

If you have gallbladder stones, they can also be a cause of right lower abdominal pain in women. Gallstones are a condition in which bile hardens like a stone and forms in the gallbladder or bile ducts. As a result, pain in the lower right abdomen, bloating, or a feeling of indigestion may occur.

4. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Lastly, pelvic inflammatory disease can be mentioned. It is a condition in which inflammation occurs in organs located in a woman's pelvis, and it is mainly caused by pregnancy, childbirth, sexually transmitted diseases, and so on. Along with pain, symptoms such as fever, pelvic pain, menstrual cramps, and increased vaginal discharge may accompany it.

When is a medical visit necessary?

So far, we have compared the differences in the causes of right lower abdominal pain in women and men.

Except for conditions such as prostatitis or gynecological diseases, the others can affect anyone, but there may be differences in whether they are more common in men or in women.

If right lower abdominal pain is accompanied by ▲ persistent vomiting and fever ▲ blood in the stool or urine ▲ severe abdominal pain or difficulty with bowel movements ▲ swelling and tenderness in the groin area, it is recommended that you get a detailed examination at a medical institution as soon as possible.

Pain alone makes it difficult to diagnose the cause. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis should be made through examinations at a medical institution. If you are currently feeling any abnormal signs, please identify the detailed cause.

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