Pain on the right side of your abdomen may be caused by hernia, gas, appendicitis, kidney issues, reproductive system issues, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and indigestion.

There are many possible reasons for discomfort in your right abdominal region. There are a number of organs in this area: the appendix, a part of the large and small intestines, the right ovary in females, and the right urine duct.

More often than not, however, pain in the lower right abdomen is nothing to worry about. It should go away on its own within a couple of days.

If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort, however, you should see a doctor. They can assess your symptoms and make a diagnosis.

The following are potential causes of lower right abdominal pain:

  • Appendicitis: Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix. It can cause pain in the lower right abdomen, which may come on suddenly and worsen when you move or breathe. This condition requires immediate medical attention because it’s possible for the inflamed appendix to burst.
  • Kidney infection: Kidney infection is caused by bacteria that usually come from your urinary tract. One or both of your kidneys could be affected by the infection. Although you may feel pain in your lower abdomen, discomfort from a kidney infection more often occurs in your back or sides.
  • Kidney stones: These are hard buildups of minerals and salts that can form inside your kidneys. You may not feel any pain if the kidney stones are small. If a large kidney stone begins to move around or pass into the tube that connects your kidney and bladder, you may feel severe pain in your lower abdomen, back, side, or groin.
  • Hernia: This develops when a part of your body pushes through the lining or muscle that holds it in place. Most hernias happen in the abdomen. They can cause pain or discomfort in the affected area.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS is a common long-term condition that affects between about 17% and 24% of Americans and causes abdominal pain, among other digestive symptoms.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IBD a group of serious digestive disorders that cause changes in bowel tissue and increase your chance of colorectal cancer. They include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which inflame your digestive tract and can cause abdominal pain.
  • Dyspepsia (indigestion): Dyspepsia happens after you eat or drink something, but it can also happen at other times. Pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen, though it may also be felt lower. It may feel sharp, dull, or like burning.
  • Intestinal gas: This is often caused by food not broken down completely until it reaches your colon. As gas builds up, it can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and a “knotted” feeling in your stomach. Burping and passing gas (farting) usually provide relief. In fact, it’s typical for a person to belch up to 30 times a day. Excessive gas can sometimes be a symptom of a digestive disorder like IBS, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or lactose intolerance.

The following conditions can cause lower right abdominal pain in females:

  • Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps): Menstrual cramps are a symptom of menstruation. They can happen before or during your period. The cramps are often felt on either or both sides of the lower abdomen, where your uterus contracts to get rid of its lining.
  • Endometriosis: This is a long-term (chronic) condition where cells that usually line the uterus, called endometrial cells, grow outside the uterus. If your period cramps are severe, ask your doctor to evaluate you for endometriosis.
  • Ovarian cysts: These are sacs filled with fluid found on or within the ovary. Many cysts don’t cause pain or discomfort, and they may eventually disappear. A large ovarian cyst, especially if it ruptures, can lead to serious symptoms, including dull or sharp lower abdomen pain. A ruptured ovarian cyst can rarely be a life-threatening condition if it’s filled with blood and isn’t treated promptly.
  • Ectopic pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. It can cause abdominal pain, along with other symptoms. It can also rupture your fallopian tube, which is a life-threatening medical emergency.
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): PID is often caused by a bacterial infection, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Many of the infections that cause PID are transmitted during sex, but not all, such as bacterial vaginosis. It can cause pain in your lower abdomen.
  • Ovarian torsion: This happens when your ovary, and usually the fallopian tube, becomes twisted, cutting off the organ’s blood supply. The condition is also known as adnexal torsion and can cause severe lower abdominal pain. Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency, and surgery is required to untwist the ovary.

The following conditions can cause lower right abdominal pain in males:

Inguinal hernia

An inguinal hernia happens when fat or part of the small intestine pushes through a weak part of your lower abdomen. It’s the most common type of hernia. Males are more likely to experience this condition. According to a 2022 review of multiple studies of more than 51 million people, this type of hernia occurred in 9.61% of males and 1.31% of females.

Other than abdominal pain, you may notice a bulge in your groin area between your thigh and lower abdomen or in your scrotum. Sometimes, the hernia can become stuck or strangulated. This can be a life-threatening condition.

Testicular torsion

Testicular torsion happens when your testicle twists around the spermatic cord, which is a bundle of tissues that runs through your abdomen and connects to the testicles.

This twisting can cut off blood flow to your testicle, leading to sudden and severe pain and swelling in your scrotum, which can radiate to the lower abdomen. It usually requires emergency surgery.

For less severe cases of pain in the lower right abdomen, you can try using home remedies, resting, and taking over-the-counter medications.

Some causes, like abdominal gas and indigestion, may resolve on their own without any treatment necessary.

If this does not relieve your pain and your pain is light-to-moderate, make an appointment with a general practice doctor. They will do an evaluation and, if needed, will refer you to a gastroenterologist (abdominal doctor) for further testing.

If your pain is severe, go to the emergency room to rule out a serious cause like appendicitis.

Most of the time, lower right abdominal pain isn’t serious. You should schedule an appointment with a medical professional if you experience this pain alongside persistent loss of appetite or unusual weight loss.

If you have lower right abdominal pain, you might be wondering if you need to go to the emergency room.

Medical emergency

Get immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing sudden, severe abdominal pain or your abdominal pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

If you notice these symptoms, call 911 or local emergency services or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room. Treatment can help prevent these symptoms from becoming severe or life threatening.

You should make an appointment to see a doctor if your lower right abdominal pain lasts more than a few days or causes you any concern.

In some cases, abdominal pain can have a serious underlying cause. If you have severe symptoms, get emergency care right away.

Mild cases of abdominal pain can usually be treated at home. For example, changing your eating habits can help prevent gas and indigestion, while certain pain relievers can help control menstrual cramps.