A burning sensation in the lower stomach is a common but often unsettling symptom. This area of the body houses a complex network of organs, including the lower parts of the digestive tract, the entire urinary system, and the reproductive organs. The causes for this specific type of discomfort can range widely, from temporary digestive issues to conditions requiring immediate medical attention. The burning feeling arises from irritation or inflammation of the tissues and nerve endings within these organs.
Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Irritation
The lower gastrointestinal tract, primarily the large intestine or colon, is a frequent source of discomfort felt in the lower abdomen. Conditions here often cause a sharp, penetrating, or burning sensation due to inflammation or heightened nerve sensitivity. Digestive issues like severe gas or constipation can cause temporary burning pain as the bowel wall stretches and irritates surrounding nerve endings.
More chronic conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, which many people describe as a burning sensation. This pain is often linked to a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, and stems from hypersensitivity of the nerves in the intestinal wall.
An inflammatory condition called diverticulitis involves small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon becoming inflamed or infected. Diverticulitis pain is typically felt in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen and can be described as sharp or burning. Colitis, which is inflammation of the colon lining, can also present with lower abdominal burning, often accompanied by diarrhea, fever, and blood in the stool.
Urinary System Infections and Inflammation
The urinary tract, which includes the bladder and urethra, is another common source of burning discomfort felt low in the stomach area. A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is often caused by bacteria entering the urethra and multiplying in the bladder, a condition known as cystitis. The inflammation and irritation of the bladder lining caused by the infection can lead to lower abdominal pain or cramping, sometimes perceived as a burning pressure.
A hallmark symptom of a UTI is a painful or burning sensation during urination (dysuria), but the discomfort can radiate to the pelvic region. If the infection spreads up to the kidneys, it becomes pyelonephritis, which causes severe flank pain, fever, and chills. Kidney stones can also cause a significant burning pain that typically starts in the back or side and moves toward the lower abdomen and groin as the stone progresses.
Reproductive and Pelvic Organ Concerns
Issues originating from the reproductive organs can manifest as a burning or painful sensation in the lower abdomen and pelvis. For individuals with ovaries, a common cause is an ovarian cyst, a fluid-filled sac that forms on or in the ovary. A large cyst or one that has ruptured can cause sudden, sharp, or dull pain and pressure in the lower abdomen, often localized to one side.
Infections like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which affects the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, can cause lower abdominal pain, often accompanied by fever and unusual discharge. Endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, can cause chronic pelvic pain that may be perceived as a deep ache or burning sensation.
For males, inflammation of the coiled tube at the back of the testicle (epididymitis) can cause pain and discomfort that radiates to the lower abdomen or pelvic area, often due to a bacterial infection. An inguinal hernia, a protrusion of tissue through a weak spot in the abdominal wall near the groin, can also cause a feeling of pressure, aching, or burning that worsens with straining or standing.
When to Seek Professional Medical Help
While many causes of lower abdominal burning are not immediately life-threatening, certain accompanying symptoms signal a need for prompt medical evaluation. You should seek immediate help if the pain is sudden, severe, and unrelenting, especially if it makes it difficult to move or find a comfortable position.
Urgent warning signs require immediate attention to rule out severe conditions like internal bleeding, severe infection, or bowel obstruction:
- Persistent high fever or chills
- Vomiting blood
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools
- Pain accompanied by fainting, dizziness, or a rapid heart rate
- Pain that rapidly worsens
- Inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement