Whats Causing The Pain Above My Left Hip and How Can I Treat It?

There are many possible causes for pain above the left hip. In some cases, the pain may be caused by a condition or injury affecting an entirely different part of your body.

These causes range from mild injuries that heal quickly with rest to aggressive illnesses that require immediate medical treatment.

To determine the source of the pain above your left hip, itâ€™s usually necessary to take a look at your other symptoms. Doing so can make it easier to know if you should see a doctor.

Here are the possible causes, their symptoms, how theyâ€™re diagnosed, and your treatment options.

Less serious causes and symptoms

A few of the less serious causes of pain above the left hip will resolve on their own without treatment. However, many conditions require medical attention.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling, stiffness, and sometimes severe pain in one or more of the bodyâ€™s joints. There are several types of arthritis that can cause pain above the left hip.

Possible causes of arthritis include normal wear and tear or age-related breakdown of bone in the body. In some cases, arthritis is caused by disease.

Arthritis symptoms you may experience include:

redness
reduced range of motion
stiffness
swelling

Bursitis

Bursitis causes inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs (called bursae) that pad your bones, including those in your hip. Most cases of bursitis in the hip are caused by repetitive motions or positions that irritate a jointâ€™s bursae, such as running.

Other bursitis symptoms include:

aches
redness
stiffness
swelling

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is caused by an allergic reaction to eating gluten that affects the small intestine, causing pain and discomfort in the abdomen. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Doctors arenâ€™t certain exactly what causes celiac disease, but some risk factors include:

Addisonâ€™s disease
family history of celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis
autoimmune thyroid disease
Down syndrome or Turner syndrome
microscopic colitis

Other common symptoms of celiac disease include:

abdominal pain
anemia
bloating
constipation
diarrhea
fatigue
itchy skin and rashes
nausea
nervous system problems
weight loss
vomiting

Crohnâ€™s disease

Crohnâ€™s disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract, causing pain in the abdomen. Doctors donâ€™t know the exact cause, but the following factors may put some people at risk of Crohnâ€™s disease:

autoimmune issues
being around age 30
smoking cigarettes
a family history of Crohnâ€™s disease
being of Northern European or Anglo-Saxon descent
being of Jewish European descent, also called Ashkenazi Jewish descent
living in an urban environment
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications

Other symptoms of Crohnâ€™s disease include:

abdominal cramps
bile duct and liver inflammation
blood in stool
delayed growth and sexual development (in children)
diarrhea
eye, skin, and joint inflammation
fatigue
fever
fistula
mouth sores
reduced appetite
weight loss

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a condition causing inflammation or infection of the small pouches (called diverticula) that line the digestive system. This often causes pain in the left side of the abdomen. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches tear.

Causes of diverticulitis include:

advanced age
lack of exercise
obesity
poor, low-fiber diet
smoking
some medications, such as steroids

Other symptoms of diverticulitis include:

constipation
diarrhea
fever
nausea
tender abdomen
vomiting

Muscle strain or stitch

Muscle strains are a severe pulling or overextension of a muscle. If a strain occurs on the left side of the body, it may cause pain above the left hip. So can side stitches, a common and temporary athletic injury.

Causes of muscle strains and stitches include:

poor form during sports activities
repetitive movements such as running

Other symptoms of a muscle strain or stitch include:

bruising
limited motion
muscle spasms
muscle weakness
pain when breathing
redness
swelling

Pinched nerve

A pinched nerve in the lower back occurs when a nerve becomes compressed by surrounding body tissues, often causing pain near the hip and in the legs.

Common causes of a pinched nerve include:

arthritis
herniated disc
injury
obesity
repetitive motions
sciatica

Pinched nerve symptoms may also include:

burning sensation
feeling your foot has fallen asleep
muscle weakness
numbness
tingling or pins and needles sensation

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition that causes muscle pain and stiffness, which often worsens in the mornings. Causes arenâ€™t clear but are likely to include:

advanced age
environmental factors
genetic history of polymyalgia rheumatica

Other symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica include:

depression
fatigue
mild fever
limited range of motion
loss of appetite
weight loss

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction and sacroiliitis

The sacroiliac joints are found where your lower spine and pelvis meet, near the hips. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction occurs when there is flawed movement in at least one of the sacroiliac joints.

Causes of sacroiliac joint dysfunction include:

arthritis
infection
pregnancy
traumatic injury

Symptoms may be worsened by

bearing extra weight on one leg
climbing stairs
running
standing for long periods
taking long strides when walking or running

Sacroiliitis is the inflammation of the sacroiliac joint. This can cause pain along the buttocks, hip, lower back, and sometimes down the leg.

Serious causes and symptoms

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can occur when bacteria enters a bone inside the body. Common causes of bone infection include:

infection through the bloodstream
injuries such as puncture wounds
unsterile surgery

Besides pain in the affected bone, symptoms of a bone infection include:

fatigue
fever
redness, swelling, and warmth at the infection site

Bone cancer

Bone cancer, or unusual growth in the bone, is often benign. However, in some cases the growth can become aggressive and spread to other parts of the body. This can cause pain and a palpable hard mass in the bones.

There are different types of bone cancer, all of which can be painful. Genetics, disease, and radiation therapy for other cancers may be risk factors for bone cancer. Additional symptoms of bone cancer include:

fatigue
swelling
unintended weight loss
weakened bones that fracture easily

Hernia

An inguinal hernia is a condition caused by the protrusion of part of the intestine through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. This can cause a lot of pain.

Causes include:

chronic sneezing or coughing
increased abdominal pressure
intense activity
pregnancy
strain during bowel movements or during urination
weak spots in the abdominal wall

Iliopsoas abscess

Iliopsoas abscess is a very uncommon but serious condition causing an infected mass to form along the upper part of the hip bone (ilium). Other symptoms may include:

fever
pain in the groin
visual deformity on the hip

The most common cause of iliopsoas abscess is Crohnâ€™s disease. Other causes include:

HIV and AIDS
diabetes
intravenous drug abuse
kidney failure
suppressed immune system

Ilium fracture

An ilium fracture is a break in the large upper part of the hip bone. Fractures may be mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms may include:

fatigue
fever
redness and swelling at the fracture site

Causes include:

advanced age
physical stress that is repetitive, such as long-distance running
trauma, such as a fall or car accident
weakened bones, such as in osteoporosis

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys, located at the back side of your body above your hips. Kidney stones may cause the following symptoms:

excessive urination
nausea
painful urination
persistent urge to urinate
radiating pain in the lower abdomen and groin
smelly or cloudy urine
urine that is pink, red, or brown
urine that comes out in small amounts
vomiting

Causes include:

special diets, especially those high in protein, salt, and sugar
dehydration
digestive issues
family history
obesity
other medical conditions

Left-sided appendicitis

Appendicitis causes sudden painful inflammation of the appendix, which can be deadly if untreated. The appendix is located on the right side of the abdomen, but in very rare cases, it can cause pain on the left side. Other symptoms include:

bloating in the abdomen
constipation
diarrhea
fever that worsens over time
flatulence
loss of appetite
nausea
pain worsened by movement or coughing
vomiting

Appendicitis is caused by a blockage in the appendix lining that causes infection.

Leukemia

Leukemia is cancer of the bodyâ€™s blood-forming tissues, which can cause pain in the bones. Other symptoms may include:

bruises or bleeding that occurs easily
chills
enlarged liver or spleen
fever
frequent infections
nosebleeds
red spots on the skin called petechiae
sweating, especially at night
swollen lymph nodes
unintentional weight loss
weakness

There are several types of leukemia. Doctors think leukemia is caused by mutations in blood cells in the body.

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is cancer of the organ that lies behind the bottom of your stomach (the pancreas). If left untreated, pancreatic tumors can cause hip pain. Other symptoms include:

blood clots
depression
diabetes thatâ€™s newly developed
fatigue
loss of appetite
unintentional weight loss
yellowed skin and eyes (jaundice)

Doctors arenâ€™t sure what causes pancreatic cancer, but it appears smoking can increase your risk of the disease.

Female-only causes and symptoms

There are some causes of pain above the left hip that can only affect females. These include:

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the outside of the uterus instead of the inside. This condition can lead to an emergency if left untreated. Besides intense abdominal and side pain, symptoms include:

early pregnancy symptoms
light vaginal bleeding that worsens over time
positive pregnancy test

Risk factors of ectopic pregnancy include:

getting pregnant while using an intrauterine device (IUD)
having a damaged fallopian tube
having a sexually transmitted infection
having had a previous ectopic pregnancy
having undergone fertility treatments
smoking

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful condition causing the lining of the uterus to grow outside rather than inside the uterus. It can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic tissue, and other organs in the pelvis. Other signs of endometriosis include:

bloating
constipation
diarrhea
excessive bleeding during or between periods
infertility
nausea
pain during sexual intercourse
pain during urination or bowel movements
painful periods (dysmenorrhea)

A clear cause of endometriosis isnâ€™t known. But risk factors include:

atypical reproductive tract
female relatives with endometriosis
going through menopause late
having short menstrual cycles (less than 27 days)
heavy periods
high levels of estrogen in the body
low body mass index
not giving birth
starting menstruation at a young age

Menstrual pain

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) affects many women who menstruate, sometimes causing widespread abdominal pain. Other signs include:

cramping or throbbing sensation
dizziness
dull ache
headache
loose stools and diarrhea
pain that hits 1 to 3 days before your period and stops in 2 to 3 days

Menstrual cramps are triggered by hormonal changes associated with menstruation. However, some conditions affecting the female reproductive tract, including endometriosis, may worsen menstrual pain.

Ovarian cyst

Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid that may grow on a womanâ€™s ovaries and cause pain in the abdomen. In most cases, these cysts are harmless and may not even cause symptoms. However, some women experience pain as well as:

aches
bloating
heaviness in the abdomen

You may be at risk of developing an ovarian cyst if you have:

endometriosis
hormonal issues
pelvic infection
pregnancy
previous ovarian cysts

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious infection affecting the female reproductive system. Often it causes no symptoms at first, but if untreated it can cause severe abdominal pain. Other possible symptoms include:

abnormal bleeding between cycles or after sex
fever with chills
heavy and unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge
pain and bleeding during sex
painful urination or problems urinating

Male-only causes and symptoms

There is one cause of pain above the left hip that can only affect men:

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a growth that affects the prostate gland, which produces sperm. Some cases of prostate cancer are slow-growing and cause few symptoms. Others are more painful, serious, and aggressive.

Some symptoms include:

blood in semen
bone pain
difficult urination
erectile dysfunction
lowered urine stream

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown. However, some risk factors include:

advanced age
being of African descent
family history
obesity

How to diagnose pain above the left hip

To diagnose the cause of pain above your left hip, a doctor will start by asking you about your symptoms and medical history. They will also perform a physical exam, looking closely at your left hip area.

They may run tests to better determine the cause of your pain. These include:

Blood, joint fluid, and urine tests. Testing the bodyâ€™s fluids can reveal abnormalities that indicate disease in the blood, bones, and urinary tract.
Endoscopy. An endoscopy involves sending a long camera tube down a personâ€™s throat to look inside the small intestine. This can reveal signs of infection or digestive disorders.
Imaging tests. CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, and X-rays can reveal cancers, cysts, deformities, and bone fractures.

Depending on what the doctor finds, they may refer you to a specialist who can better diagnose and treat the cause of your pain above your left hip. These specialists may include:

gastroenterologist (specializes in digestive health)
obstetrician-gynecologist (specializes in womenâ€™s health)
oncologist (cancer doctor)
orthopedist (specializes in bone health)
urologist (specializes in male reproductive and urinary tract health)

Treatment for pain above left hip

The kind of treatment you need for the pain above your left hip depends on the cause. Treatment may include:

antibiotics to clear infections such as diverticulitis and PID
chemotherapy and radiation to treat cancer
lifestyle changes such as a change in diet, quitting smoking, and increased exercise to treat conditions like Crohnâ€™s disease and side stitches
medications like NSAIDs to reduce symptoms of dysmenorrhea
rest for mild causes of pain above the left hip, such as muscle strains and side stitches
surgery to treat certain cancers, remove cysts or the appendix, and repair fractures

Takeaway

In some cases, pain above the left hip is a major cause for concern. However, in most cases, it can be treated easily with rest or an over-the-counter NSAID.

Most causes of pain above the left hip are not immediate emergencies and are easily treatable. Paying attention to all of your symptoms can help lead you and your doctor to a treatment that will resolve your pain.

If youâ€™re concerned about your pain above the left hip and donâ€™t already have a primary care provider, you can view doctors in your area through the ishonest FindCare tool.

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