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

Table of Contents

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 problems, pancreatitis, or endometriosis. 

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries, like muscle strains and ligament strains, can cause left-side back pain. A back strain occurs when a muscle stretches too far, causing the fibers to stretch 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 heal – up to a few months. 

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-side back pain, including:

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

Endometriosis

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

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. 

Lower Back Kidney Pain

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. 

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.

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/physiotherapist-touching-womans-back-5793653/    

When Should I Worry About Lower Left Back Pain?

You should worry about lower left back pain if it:

Lost bladder or bowel control

Develops suddenly and is severe

Doesn’t improve after four weeks

Develops after a major fall, car accident, or other serious accident

Is accompanied by red flags including:

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

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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 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
Fix a Pain in Your Lower Left Back

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.