Left side stomach pain: When it’s time to see a doctor

June 23, 2025

Providence Health Team

[6 MIN READ]

Do you have left side stomach pain? Learn what some of the major causes of pain are, and when it might be serious.
The main organs on the left side of the stomach include the left kidney, spleen, pancreas, left ovary, part of the stomach, and part of the large and small intestine.
If your pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as anemia, weight loss and fever, you should head to the emergency room.

Understanding left side stomach pain: Causes, symptoms and when to see a doctor

At its best, unexplained stomach pain is a frustrating problem with your digestive system, making it difficult to go about your normal daily routine. At its worst, it can be alarming and painful enough that you need immediate medical attention.

There can be many different parts of the stomach and gastrointestinal area where you feel pain, but for the purposes of this article, we’re focusing on left side stomach pain. We spoke with Daniald Rodrigues, M.D., a Providence gastroenterologist who sees patients in Mission Viejo, California, about what such pain could mean.

What does left side abdominal pain mean?

First, here are the organs that are located on the left side of the stomach, and what they do for your body:

Spleen – acts as a filter for blood and removes old or damaged red blood cells and platelets
Part of the stomach – holds solid food and liquids and breaks them down with gastric acids and enzymes
Left kidney – filters blood, removes waste and maintains the body’s internal balance
Pancreas – produces enzymes to help digest food and produces hormones to regulate blood sugar
Big part of large and small intestine – the small intestine breaks down food and absorbs nutrients, while the large intestine transforms the rest of the waste into feces
Left ovary – in females, produces and releases eggs during ovulation and makes the hormones estrogen and progesterone

Common causes of upper left abdominal pain

Some of the most common conditions associated with pain in the upper left quadrant of the stomach include:

Enlarged spleen – This is a condition in which the spleen is larger than normal, which can be caused by infections, liver disease and certain types of cancer.
Hiatal hernia – This occurs when part of the stomach pushes up into the chest cavity through a small opening in the diaphragm.
Kidney problems – These can include kidney stones, cysts, cancer and kidney infections. “As they’re migrating through your ureter, they can get obstructed,” says Dr. Rodrigues. “They can also be associated with fevers as they become more progressive and severe.”
Pancreatitis – “Typically, pancreatitis pain tends to be more in the midline in your stomach,” says Dr. Rodrigues, “but sometimes it can radiate to the left side. Of all the pains, this is probably the most severe and unrelenting. It also has nausea and vomiting associated with it.”

Common causes of abdominal pain in the lower left area

Common conditions in the lower left abdomen include:

Diverticulitis – “In cases where the diverticulitis is more severe, the pain is very progressive,” says Dr. Rodrigues. “This is not a fleeting pain, but rather pain that lasts numerous hours that can also be accompanied by fever and changes in appetite.”
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – “The most common and fairly innocuous kind of left side pain is that related to IBS,” says Dr. Rodrigues. “During the digestive process, we are making a fair amount of gas. Certain individuals may have more of an abdominal sensitivity and feel more of the digestive process.”
Constipation – Another common cause of left side pain, says Dr. Rodrigues, is stool buildup, which occurs when you have less frequent bowel movements.
Ovarian cysts (for women) – While these fluid-filled sacs are usually harmless, they can sometimes cause abdominal pain.
Ectopic pregnancy (for women) – This is a pregnancy that occurs outside a woman’s uterus — most often in the fallopian tubes. An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening if not treated right away.
Muscle strain – Even though muscle strain is outside of the abdominal cavity, it can feel like internal pain. “If you are coughing or even sneezing excessively, you can potentially strain some of your abdominal muscles,” says Dr. Rodrigues. “Though this might be painful, it’s usually not serious.”

When left side pain might be serious

When you’re trying to decide if you should go to the emergency room or urgent care for pain in the left side of the abdomen, says Dr. Rodrigues, the biggest differentiating factor is how the pain courses. “If it’s short and fleeting, then it’s probably not cause for concern,” he says. “However, if the severe pain is progressive over hours and days, rather than just lasting a few minutes, you should head to the emergency room.”

Another important sign that your pain could be quite serious, says Dr. Rodrigues, is when you are experiencing other red-flag symptoms. These can include:

Losing weight
Signs of anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and dizziness
Fevers
Nausea and vomiting

“If you’re having an increased frequency of several of the above symptoms, plus progressive pain, that’s a major indicator that you should seek medical treatment right away,” Dr. Rodrigues says.

On the other hand, if you feel you’re managing your intermittent pain well, you can use over-the-counter pain or digestion medications such as Tums, Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol or Advil.

Whether your left side stomach pain is simply gas or something that could be a serious condition and life-threatening, it’s important that you pay close attention to your symptoms. Try keeping a log of how often you feel pain and what the level is, from 1-10. That way, if you do have to go to the emergency room, you will be able to offer the health care provider helpful information.

Contributing caregiver

Daniald Rodrigues, M.D., is a Providence gastroenterologist who sees patients in Mission Viejo, California.

Find a doctor

If you are looking for a gastroenterologist, you can find what you are looking for in our provider directory. Through Providence Express Care Virtual, you can access a full range of health care services.

Download the Providence app

It’s all in the app: easily stay connected with Providence and your health. With the Providence app, you can schedule appointments, have virtual visits from the comfort of your home, get personalized health recommendations, access your health records and so much more. Learn more and download the app.