What Causes Left Lower Back Pain in Females?

Left lower back pain in females has an expansive range of possible causes, from soft tissue injuries to spinal conditions to organ pain. This article will review the possible causes of back pain in this region and provide possible next steps for your treatment plan. 

Left Lower Back Pain in Females

Common Causes of Left Lower Back Pain in Females

Common lower back pain causes in women include muscle and ligament issues, pregnancy, hormonal shifts, menstruation, kidney and urinary issues, and gynecological conditions. 

Muscle and Ligament Issues

Muscle strains and ligament sprains can cause left-sided back pain. A back strain occurs when a muscle stretches too far, causing the fibers to pull or tear. A back sprain results from an overstretched ligament. 

Along with left-side back pain, you may experience the following symptoms with a back strain or sprain:

  • Back stiffness
  • Back muscle spasms
  • Worsened pain with movement

Typically, back sprains and strains heal within two to four weeks. However, more severe cases can take longer to treat – up to a few months. 

Pregnancy-Related Pain

Many (if not all) pregnant women experience back pain at some point across the three trimesters. It’s particularly common in the second and third trimesters, as the larger fetus places more stress on the lower back tissues. However, some women experience lower back pain as early as two months into their pregnancies. 

Lower left pain during pregnancy usually isn’t something to worry about. It’s often a sign that your body’s ligaments are softening to prepare for labor. Additionally, the growing fetus brings your center of gravity downward, which naturally triggers some discomfort. 

However, if you experience severe lower left back pain during pregnancy, contact your doctor for further guidance. 

Hormonal and Menstrual Causes

Hormonal changes and menstruation affect all women over the course of a lifetime. Unfortunately, they also often cause lower back pain. 

  • Hormones, mainly including estrogen and progesterone, can influence your susceptibility to lower back pain. Estrogen impacts your ligaments, joints, and bones – progestrone affects the uterus, smooth muscle, and other back muscles. Therefore, hormonal shifts in puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can lead to pain on either (or both) sides of the back. 
  • Menstruation can trigger lower left back pain, often due to abdominal cramps. During menstruation, the body releases prostaglandins to prompt uterine contractions and expel the uterine lining. For some women, this results in back pain. 

Kidney and Urinary Issues

Kidney and urinary issues, including left kidney infections and kidney stones, are possible lower back pain causes in women. 

Left kidney infections, also known as pyelonephritis, are a possible cause of lower back pain. These infections commonly start in the bladder and urinary tract. But, if the infection worsens, it may spread to the kidney.  

The most common symptom of a kidney infection is pain in the lower back, side, and around the genitals. This may be accompanied by:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Shivering
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Lost appetite
  • Painful, frequent urination
  • Burning sensation while urinating 
  • Dark, cloudy, bloody, or odorous urine

Kidney stones are deposits of salts and minerals that develop in the kidneys. They can be caused by a range of factors, including not drinking enough water, excessive or insufficient exercise, being overweight or obese, and consuming excessive salt or sugar. With kidney stones, you may experience severe, persistent back or side pain, as well as:

  • Bloody urine
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Vomiting
  • Cloudy or odorous urine
  • Burning sensation while urinating 

Other organs, including the pancreas, colon, and uterus, are positioned near the lower left side of the back and can lead to lower left back pain. 

Gynecological Causes

Gynecological conditions like endometriosis can cause lower left back pain. 

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue develops outside of the uterus. The primary symptom of endometriosis is pain, which can affect the lower back, lower abdomen, or pelvis. Other symptoms include:

  • Cramps before or after a period
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Pain while urinating or passing bowel movements
  • Constipation or diarrhea during a period
  • Fatigue
  • Heavy or irregular periods
  • Bloating
  • Nausea 
  • Infertility

Symptoms and Warning Signs

Symptoms of left lower back pain in females include a dull back ache or sharp, stabbing pain. Some people experience lower left back pain as a burning sensation, and it can radiate to other areas of the body (usually the lower extremities). 

Lower left back pain may be accompanied by various other symptoms, depending on the root cause.

  • Back strains and sprains: Back stiffness, muscle spasms, reduced range of motion
  • Menstruation: Abdominal cramps, breast tenderness, bloating, and mood swings
  • Kidney issues: Fatigue, chills, vomiting, urination changes, swelling, loss of appetite
  • Endometriosis: Cramps, painful intercourse, constipation during menstruation, heavy menstruation, fatigue, nausea

Warning signs that lower left back pain may point to a more serious medical condition include:

  • Persistent neurological symptoms, like leg numbness
  • Changes in bladder or bowel control
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fever 

Diagnosis Methods

Diagnosis methods for lower left back pain in females include a thorough family and medical history, symptom assessment, and physical examination. After these steps, your doctor may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as:

  • Imaging tests, like X-rays or MRIs
  • Blood testing
  • Urine testing
  • Other specialized tests or procedures, like a laparoscopy for endometriosis

Treatment Options

Female back pain treatment options include:

  • Medications, such as NSAIDs for muscle strains or antibiotics for kidney infections
  • Ice and heat therapy
  • Rest
  • Gentle stretching and low-impact exercise
  • Physical therapy
  • Massage therapy

Prevention and Self-Care

Prevention and self-care can go a long way toward preventing various types of left lower back pain in females. While some forms of back pain can’t be entirely prevented, certain lifestyle habits can help minimize your discomfort. These include:

Consider changing your sleeping position to reduce impact on your spine while you snooze. 

Stay active with low-impact exercise and improve your range of motion with gentle stretches. 

Eat a nutritious, balanced diet and limit processed, high-sodium foods. 

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Drink extra water if you’re exercising or spending time outdoors in warm weather. 

Focus on improving your posture and keep your spine properly aligned when you stand, sit, and exercise. 

FAQ

What Can Cause Lower Back Pain in a Woman’s Left Side?

Lower back pain in a woman’s left side can indicate a soft tissue injury, arthritis, spinal condition, kidney problem, pancreatitis, or endometriosis. 

Arthritis

Various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, can cause back pain. Sometimes this pain only affects one side of the back. 

  • Osteoarthritis is also often called “wear and tear” arthritis. It can affect the joints of the spine, causing the cartilage to gradually break down. This creates inflammation within the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and diminished function. 
  • Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition associated with psoriasis. It causes inflammation in the joints and entheses, the point at which ligaments and tendons attach to bone. Along with pain, psoriatic arthritis can cause:
    • Reduced mobility
    • Fatigue
    • Stiffness, especially in the morning
    • Changes in your nails
    • Eye redness and pain

Spinal Conditions

Certain spinal conditions can cause left-sided back pain, including:

  • Spinal stenosis
  • Scoliosis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Bone spurs

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What Organ Is on the Lower Back Left Side of a Female?

The left kidney is on the left side of the lower back in a female.

Various kidney conditions, including kidney infections and kidney stones, can trigger lower left back pain in women. Other organs, like the pancreas and colon, can also cause lower back pain. 

Lower Back Pancreas Pain

Lower left back pain can be a symptom of pancreatitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the pancreas. It can be acute (sudden) or chronic (prolonged). Most often, pancreatitis is caused by alcohol abuse or gallstones, which can obstruct the pancreatic duct, keeping enzymes from leaving the pancreas. 

Along with lower back pain, pancreatitis can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and swelling or tenderness in the abdomen. Chronic pancreatitis can cause pain that’s constant, severe, and worsens after meals. 

Lower Back Colon Pain

Lower back pain stemming from the colon can point to fecal impaction, constipation, or IBS. Sometimes, lower back pain is a symptom of late-stage colon cancer. However, note that back pain rarely results from cancer. 

What Is the Reason for Left Lower Back Pain in Females?

The reason for left lower back pain in females is often soft tissue injuries, arthritis, or kidney conditions.

To pinpoint the reason for left lower back pain, your physician will likely perform various tests, including a physical exam, medical history, symptom review, and imaging tests.

When Should I Worry About Lower Left Back Pain?

Wondering when to worry about lower back pain? Generally, you should seek immediate medical care for lower left back pain if it develops suddenly, is severe, doesn’t improve after a month, or occurs after a major fall, car accident, or other serious incident. 

Additionally, if you experience the following red flag symptoms with lower back pain, seek immediate medical care:

  • Fever
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Pain that radiates from the back to the front of the abdomen
  • Sudden numbness in the pelvis or leg(s)
  • Difficulty walking or standing
  • Lost bladder or bowel control

How Do You Fix a Pain in Your Lower Left Back?

How to fix pain in your lower left back will depend on your pain’s root cause. 

For soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains, physicians typically recommend the following female back pain treatments:

  • Taking a break from physical activities that put pressure on the damaged tissues, but avoiding bed rest
  • Heat and cold therapy to manage inflammation and stiffness
  • Physical therapy to strengthen and stabilize the back while improving range of motion
  • Anti-inflammatory medications

Kidney infections are generally treated with antibiotics. If the infection is severe or caused by an underlying issue (like a urinary tract obstruction), surgery may be required. 

Pancreatitis is typically treated in the hospital with therapies like rest, intravenous pain medication, and fluids. If gallstones are the root cause of your pancreatitis, surgery may be necessary to remove the gallbladder and prevent future problems. 

Endometriosis symptoms can be managed with medications, like painkillers and hormone treatments. If medications aren’t an option, surgery to remove the endometriosis tissue may be considered. 

For spinal conditions, including osteoarthritis, your physician may recommend:

  • Physical therapy to restore stability and preserve mobility
  • Medications to manage pain and inflammation
  • Lifestyle adjustments, like weight loss and nutrition, to reduce impact on the spine and improve overall wellness
  • Steroid injections, if required, to manage pain
  • Surgery, in severe cases, to decompress the spinal nerves and alleviate neurological symptoms

If you’re struggling with left lower back pain as a woman, contact your doctor to learn more about the treatments available to you. e to you.