Lower stomach and back pain can become so severe that it causes you to double over and ball up into a fetal position. Stomach pain, accompanied by back pain, can indicate a number of problems, some severe and some minor. If the pain continues or worsens, consult your doctor.
Features
Sometimes you may feel pain in your lower abdomen, lower back or both. The pain may be sharp or dull, depending upon the cause of the pain. You may experience sharp, shooting pains or dull, aching pains. You could also experience a combination of both.
Significance
Menstrual cramps, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), testicular pain or labor pains, if you're pregnant, could cause pain in your lower stomach and back. Other conditions such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome can cause lower back and stomach pain, too. Testicular pain typically begins in the testes and can radiate to your lower stomach and back, if the pain travels at all.
Effects
Lower stomach and back pain can become so severe that it causes other symptoms, such as nausea, headache or light-headedness. You may also notice that you do not have energy and feel very fatigued. Nausea, diarrhea, painful urination, chills and fever may accompany lower stomach and back pain. Your abdomen may swell with PID and during your menstrual cycle.
Prevention/Solution
You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever for menstrual cramps and PMS to help relieve discomfort and pain. You may also place a heating pad over your stomach while in bed or sitting on the couch to help relieve some of the pain associated with menstrual cramps, according to the MedlinePlus website. Men should apply ice to their scrotum to alleviate pain. If the scrotum shows signs of swelling, a warm bath may help reduce some of the inflammation.
Warning
If your lower stomach and back pain is due to an injury or sexually transmitted disease, such as PID, seek medical attention immediately. Testicular pain may indicate a serious underlying condition such as testicular torsion or a hernia in your testicle. This may require surgery. Only take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed by the product label or as instructed by your physician. If over-the-counter pain relief medications do not work, you may need to visit your doctor to talk about pain management.
