Pain from the urinary system can indicate such conditions as cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), inflammation of the collecting system of one or both kidneys (pyelonephritis), kidney stones or tumours.

Typical symptoms of all these conditions are a burning sensation when passing urine and a need to empty the bladder more frequently. In addition, pain travelling from the back and around to the front might suggest a kidney infection or kidney stone.

The pain associated with kidney stones may be particularly severe. The presence of blood in the urine raises the possibilities of infection, kidney or bladder stones or even a bladder or kidney tumour. Both benign and malignant tumours can first make themselves noticed in this way. The duration of the pain will further help you and your doctor to make the correct diagnosis.

Pain arising from the urinary system

Pain from the urinary system can indicate such conditions as cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), inflammation of the collecting system of one or both kidneys (pyelonephritis), kidney stones or tumours.

Typical symptoms of all these conditions are a burning sensation when passing urine and a need to empty the bladder more frequently. In addition, pain travelling from the back and around to the front might suggest a kidney infection or kidney stone.

The pain associated with kidney stones may be particularly severe. The presence of blood in the urine raises the possibilities of infection, kidney or bladder stones or even a bladder or kidney tumour. Both benign and malignant tumours can first make themselves noticed in this way. The duration of the pain will further help you and your doctor to make the correct diagnosis.

Pain arising from conditions of the intestines

The bowel can give rise to a wide variety of symptoms including pain. Constipation and diarrhoea can be painful in themselves, and the change in bowel habit usually identifies the pain as coming from the bowel. Pain from the bowel is often described as colicky in nature. This means that the pain or discomfort comes in waves with little or no discomfort in between the pain. Bloating or swelling of the lower abdomen may be present in many intestinal conditions including irritable bowel syndrome. The passing of fresh blood or altered blood (black motions) from the back passage should be reported to your doctor as investigation is usually necessary.

Pain arising from conditions of the reproductive organs

Pain might originate from the uterus (womb), Fallopian tubes or ovaries. It is usually felt in the middle of the lower abdomen, above the line of pubic hair as far up as the navel. Occasionally, the pain is more to one side, which is more typical of a pain coming from an ovary.

There might be discomfort or even pain during intercourse (called dyspareunia) felt deep within the pelvis. Pain originating from the uterus is usually worse at the time of a woman's period (dysmenorrhoea). Examples of conditions of the reproductive organs giving rise to pain include endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, fibroids and problems related to the early stages of pregnancy such as miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.

In any case of sudden, severe, unexplained abdominal pain your doctor should be contacted.