Burning in the lower abdomen is often related with some serious diseases or transient disorders. It’s difficult to diagnose what causes this condition because this symptom can be seen in many diseases. Although not all causes are serious, you should seek medical attention for clear diagnosis.

Causes and Treatment for Burning in Lower Abdomen

1. IBS

IBS is an acronym for irritable bowel syndrome. It is a disorder that is associated with the colon (large intestine). The cause of IBS is not known yet, but it is believed to be caused by the combination of abnormally increased awareness of body functions, increased gastrointestinal tract movements, and a disturbance of communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. The symptoms are:

• Bloating
• Gassiness
• Burning sensation or cramp in the lower abdomen.
• Alternating period of constipation and diarrhea

Treatment

IBS can be treated medically by antidiarrheal medicines, antispasmodic medicines, laxatives, antidepressants, and other drugs. You can also try some home remedies, including avoiding foods that make diarrhea and bloating worse, such as legumes and cruciferous vegetables.

2. Appendicitis

Appendicitis happens when your appendix is inflamed. This disorder causes severe pain in the right part of your lower abdomen. Other related symptoms are:

• Sharp pain that moves from the navel to the right part of your abdomen
• Great pain when you walk, laugh, or make any jarring movement
• Nausea & vomiting
• Mild fever that may become severe if the illness persists
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal bloating

Treatment

It is usually treated through surgery by removing the inflamed appendix. This can be done either through an open surgery, using an abdominal incision of about 2-4 inches, or through laparoscopic surgery, using small abdominal incision.

3. Pelvic Inflammation Disease (PID)

PID is an infection that affects the reproductive organs of females. It occurs when STB (sexually transmitted bacteria) spread from the vagina to uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. Symptoms of this disease include:

• Burning in lower abdomen
• Fever
• Painful intercourse
• Irregular menstrual flow
• Pain in your pelvis
• Heavy vagina discharges with foul smell
• Difficult and painful urination

Treatment

Different antibiotics will be prescribed when you begin treatment. Severe cases may require intravenous antibiotics at the hospital. You can prevent this infection by advising your sexual partners to get STI tests and treatment. 

4. Endometriosis

This is a painful disorder that is caused by the outgrowth of the endometrium (tissue that lines inside of the uterus). This disease often involves fallopian tubes, the tissue of the pelvis, and ovaries. In rare cases, it can spread to other organs. The main sign of endometriosis is burning sensation around the lower abdomen, especially during menstruation. Other symptoms include excessive bleeding, painful intercourse, painful bowel movement, etc.

Treatment

If you are not planning to get pregnant, you can use birth-control hormones or anti-inflammatories to relieve the symptoms. If the infection persists, you may have to go for surgery to remove scar tissue and endometrial growths. Vitro fertilization may be the final solution if you find it difficult to be pregnant after all the necessary treatment.

5. Mittelschmerz

Mittelschmerz is a one-sided pain felt in the lower abdomen which mostly occurs during ovulation. Symptoms also include:

• Sharp pain
• Cramp-like pain
• Sudden pain
• Severe pain which is rare
• Pains that accompany mild vaginal discharge or bleeding

Treatment

You can try over-the-counter pain relief drugs like aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen sodium, or ibuprofen. Your doctor may prescribe birth control pills if you suffer from severe pain.

6. Diverticulitis

Diverticula are bulging pouches, usually small in size, that form in the digestive system and cause burning in lower abdomen. These pouches are seen in the lower region of the colon (large intestine). Symptoms of this disease include:

• Fever
• Nausea & vomiting
• Pain that may linger for days. It usually occurs on the left side of your abdomen, but sometimes may also affect the right side.
• Abdominal tenderness
• Constipation, and in some cases diarrhea

Treatment

Home remedies can be used for mild symptoms. For severe ones, your doctor will recommend

• Antibiotics to deal with infection
• Pain reliever medicines like acetaminophen
• Liquid diet until the bowel heals

You may need to be hospitalized, and a surgery may be conducted if there are no signs of improvements after all the necessary treatment.

7. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

UTI is an infection that affects any part of the urinary system, including the ureters, kidneys, urethra, and bladder. It mostly affects the lower region of the urinary tract such as the urethra and the bladder. Women are more prone to this infection. Symptoms include:

• Bloody urine
• Pelvic pressure
• Frequent and painful urination
• Discomfort in the lower abdomen

Treatment

If you have an uncomplicated UTI, you may receive a short course of treatment, including taking oral antibiotics for a couple of days. If you get UTI very often, you may need treatment as follows:

• Take low dose antibiotics for six months or longer.
• Take a single dose of antibiotic after sexual activities if your UTI is caused by sexual intercourse.
• If you are postmenopausal, vaginal estrogen therapy may be needed.

If your UTI is serious, you may have to stay in the hospital and get intravenous antibiotics.

Note: If you have burning in lower abdomen, do not diagnose by yourself. Go for medical assistance in the hospital.