Abdominal tenderness is where pressure on an area of your abdomen, chest, or groin, causes pain. It may also feel sore to the touch.

Abdominal tenderness can have many causes and may be mild or severe. If the removal of pressure causes pain, this is known as rebound tenderness or Blumberg sign.

Treatment for abdominal tenderness depends on the underlying cause.

Abdominal tenderness is generally a sign of inflammation or other sudden processes in 1 or more organs surrounding the tender area.

Some common causes of abdominal tenderness are:

  • appendicitis. Swelling of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestines, which usually occurs when the appendix becomes blocked by feces traveling through the intestines.
  • abdominal abscess. A pocket of infected fluid and pus inside the belly, caused by a burst appendix, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or infection.
  • Meckel’s diverticulum. A small piece of the umbilical cord that creates a small bulge on the small intestine which can cause bleeding or intestinal blockage later in life (occurs in about 2% of the general population).
  • diverticulitis. Inflammation of the inner lining of the intestines.

Common causes of abdominal tenderness and pain in women can include:

  • twisted fallopian tube. A rare condition in which 1 or both fallopian tubes twist on the tissues that surround them.
  • ruptured ovarian cyst. Sometimes cysts can occur on the ovaries where follicles form, and may burst.
  • ruptured ectopic pregnancy. A life-threatening pregnancy condition in which the fetus begins to form outside the uterus, and the sac of fluid holding the fetus bursts.
  • pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). An infection of a woman’s reproductive organs, often the complication of several kinds of STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Symptoms that commonly occur alongside abdominal tenderness include:

  • loss of appetite
  • bloating
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • distended abdomen
  • jaundice
  • fainting
  • missed periods
  • fever

In order to diagnose your abdominal tenderness, a doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. They will typically ask about all of the symptoms you have been experiencing and when they started. They will also want to know what makes your symptoms feel better or worse.

A doctor can examine the area by touch. The region where there’s pain may indicate an issue with certain organs. For example:

  • right upper quadrant: liver and gallbladder
  • left upper quadrant: stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine)
  • right lower quadrant: appendix
  • left lower quadrant: final segment of colon or digestive tract

Problems with pelvic organs, including the ovaries and fallopian tubes, can also cause right or left lower quadrant tenderness.

Tests

A doctor may also order the following tests to help determine the cause of abdominal point tenderness:

  • abdominal X-ray. A noninvasive test that uses X-rays to examine your abdominal organs, which can help find cysts and other abdominal irregularities
  • abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. A noninvasive test that uses X-rays to make high-resolution images of your abdominal organs to locate structural abnormalities.
  • C-reactive protein test: A blood test that is positive when inflammation is present.
  • serum progesterone test: A blood test for pregnancy, which is more sensitive than a urine pregnancy test, can help determine if you are experiencing ectopic pregnancy.
  • abdominal or pelvic ultrasound: A noninvasive test that uses sound waves to make images of abdominal and pelvic organs, which can help locate hernias, cysts, or ectopic pregnancies.

Treatment for abdominal tenderness can depend on the underlying cause, but may include:

Medication

If your pain is mild, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers may help to alleviate symptoms. However, you should avoid taking anti-inflammatories like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen for more than 10 days, as this increases your risk for stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. It may also worsen your condition.

Surgery

If you are experiencing abdominal tenderness, surgery may be recommended in the following instances:

  • Appendicitis: If you have appendicitis a doctor may recommend an appendectomy. This is the surgical removal of the appendix through your abdomen.
  • Bowel obstruction: You may need surgery to remove part of the colon if it’s obstructed.
  • Structural irregularities: Hernias, twisted fallopian tubes, and ectopic pregnancies may require surgery to correct.

A doctor may perform a laparoscopic examination if your symptoms are severe and tests can’t identify which organ is causing abdominal point tenderness.

Home remedies

Once you’ve addressed the main cause of your abdominal tenderness, you can help ease any other symptoms with some simple home treatments.

The following tips can help reduce the inflammation:

  • Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad to the tender area to help ease abdominal soreness.
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Be cautious when taking ibuprofen since it can increase the risk of stomach bleeds if taken for too many days in a row.
  • Practice relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Stress can worsen inflammation and tenderness.

Seeing a doctor for regular checkups is the best way to prevent abdominal pain from developing into sometime serious. Some causes can’t be prevented, but you can help your body fight off infections. Here are a few tips:

  • eat a balanced, healthy diet
  • eat smaller meals throughout the day
  • get at least 7 hours of sleep a night
  • exercise at least 30 minutes a day
  • drink water frequently

Practice sex using barrier methods (such as condoms) to decrease your risk for pelvic inflammatory diseases.

Many conditions that cause abdominal tenderness are medical emergencies. You should seek emergency medical help if you have severe abdominal tenderness alongside a fever. Untreated abdominal tenderness can be life-threatening.

Abdominal tenderness can have many causes and may be mild or severe. It is generally a sign of inflammation or other sudden processes in 1 or more organs surrounding the tender area.

Common causes include:

  • appendicitis
  • abdominal abscess
  • Meckel’s diverticulum
  • diverticulitis

Treatment for abdominal tenderness can depend on the underlying cause, and may include medication for mild symptoms, or surgery for more severe cases.