Abdominal Pain in Men: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

 5 mins 30 secs

Topics

  • About Belly Pain

Every fan of football, hockey, or slapstick humor will be familiar with at least one form of male abdominal pain, and that’s getting kicked or hit in the groin. But there are many others, and while you can’t do much about the latter except apply ice and hope for that sudden and severe abdominal pain to go away fast, other forms of abdominal pain can be treated, prevented, and managed.

This article reviews some of the most common causes of abdominal pain in men, how to treat it, and when to see a doctor.

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain in Men

Many things can cause abdominal pain in males and females, and only some of these causes are related to the stomach. So, even though we may be tempted to say we have a “stomach ache,” the pain may not come from the stomach. In addition to the stomach, the abdominal cavity hosts a few other organs that may cause pain in what we so often mislabel as the ‘stomach.’ In medical terms, this is abdominal pain.

The specific location of the pain is crucial. For example, pain in the upper abdomen may indicate a stomach problem, such as indigestion. In contrast, pain in the lower right side of the abdomen could mean something very different, like appendicitis.

Read more about the different locations of abdominal pain.

Some causes of abdominal pain also tend to be more common in men than in women. Abdominal pain in males includes1:

  • Appendicitis: The pain usually starts around your belly button and moves towards the lower right side of your abdomen2. The pain may be sudden and severe, and you might experience additional symptoms, like loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, or a swollen abdomen3.
  • Gallbladder inflammation: Additional symptoms of gallbladder inflammation include pain in the right upper side of your abdomen that gets worse when you take deep breaths and when you touch the area. You may also have fever and yellowing of the eyes2
  • Hernias: Usually, a hernia causes a small bulge in your lower abdomen, which you may only notice when you stand up, cough, or strain4.
  • Bowel obstruction: This means that there’s something blocking your intestines. Additional symptoms include vomiting, nausea, and constipation5
  • Inflammation of the pancreas: This condition causes pain in your upper abdomen that can spread as far as your back. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, fast heartbeat, and weight loss6.
  • Stones in the urinary tract: This happens when small stones get blocked in your urinary tract, causing renal colic. The condition typically causes pain in your groin and towards your testicles, as well as vomiting and nausea7
  • More serious conditions that affect the liver: This could include hepatitis. 


Immediate medical consultation is advised for these conditions. 

How to Relieve Abdominal Pain in Men

Painkillers and antispasmodics can help relieve certain types of abdominal and lower back pain, especially when serious underlying illnesses or conditions do not cause the pain11 While painkillers work by blocking pain signals to the brain without addressing the root cause, antispasmodics like Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®) act directly at the source of discomfort. They help by relaxing the abdominal muscles, making them effective for muscle-related cramps and spasms associated with non-serious cases of LBP12.

 Furthermore, antispasmodics such as (Hyoscine N-butylbromide) Buscopan® are gentler on the stomach. Unlike a painkiller such as ibuprofen, which may have gastrointestinal side effects11, (Hyoscine N-butylbromide) Buscopan® is easy on the tummy, while staying tough on pain. 

Cramps in The Belly: Male vs. Female Symptoms

According to some estimates, up to 46% of the general population has abdominal cramps with no underlying disease as its cause. This form of pain is called “functional abdominal cramping pain” (FACP) and it usually doesn’t come with any other symptoms16.

Although this form of abdominal pain tends to affect women more than men16, because it is so severe and widespread, it is also very common among men. FACP is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and may sometimes be accompanied by an altered bowel habit(chronic or recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or both – either mixed or in alternation).17.

How to Relieve FACP

You can relieve abdominal cramps in several ways:

  • For severe lower belly pain, try taking antispasmodics and Hyoscine N-Butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan® Plus). Antispasmodics are well-tolerated and available over the counter15.
  • Avoiding foods high in so-called FODMAPs may help relieve your symptoms, such as bloating and diarrhea. FODMAPs stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols - short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and ferment in the colon, triggering symptoms in sensitive individuals. The low-FODMAP diet involves temporarily eliminating these foods, then gradually reintroducing them to identify personal triggers. Common high-FODMAP foods available in the Philippines include mango, rambutan, onions (sibuyas), garlic (bawang), beans (munggo, sitaw), wheat-based products, and dairy like fresh milk18.
  • Psychotherapy and relaxation techniques can help ease the symptoms. Some evidence suggests that probiotics may help improve symptoms. They are generally safe to try18.

When to See a Doctor for Abdominal Pain in Men

See a doctor for your abdominal pain if you have additional symptoms, such as16:

  • you lost weight without wanting to
  • you look pale
  • you feel generally unwell
  • you have persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  • you have blood in your poo
  • your abdominal cramps happen when you’re doing physical activity
  • the pain is very intense
  • the pain is keeping you from doing the things you love or are required to you (such as going to work or exercising)

Conclusion

Abdominal pain in men can arise from various causes, including appendicitis, gallbladder inflammation, hernias, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, urinary tract stones, and liver conditions. Recognizing the specific source of pain is crucial for effective treatment. For Functional Abdominal Cramping Pain (FACP), characterized by cramps without an underlying disease, antispasmodics like Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®) offer targeted relief by relaxing abdominal muscles, addressing the pain's source. Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®) is gentle on the stomach and alleviates cramps within 15 minutes, providing rapid relief from discomfort.

Suppose abdominal pain persists or is accompanied by symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, pallor, general malaise, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, blood in the stool, pain during physical activity, intense pain, or interference with daily activities. In that case, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate management.

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