Pain on both sides of the abdomen or lower back may be linked to urinary or kidney problems, or IBS-related bowel cramps. Learn how symptoms such as burning urine, fever, blood in urine, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and pain relief after stools help distinguish the cause.
Owais most likely means pain on both flanks/sides of the abdomen or lower back, and is unsure whether it is related to the urinary system or to IBS. “Pain in both sides urine” may mean pain near the kidneys occurring with urination, while “pain both sides in IBS” may mean bilateral abdominal pain, gas, or cramping.
Pain on both sides of the abdomen: Likely meanings
| Customer wording | Most plausible interpretation | What it may point toward |
|---|---|---|
| “Pain in both sides urine” | Bilateral flank pain—pain on either side of the back/abdomen, possibly felt during or around urination | Urinary infection, kidney involvement, stones/obstruction, or non-urinary muscle pain |
| “Pain both sides in IBS” | Cramping or aching on both sides of the abdomen, perhaps associated with bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, or passing stool/gas | IBS-type abdominal pain, trapped gas, constipation, or another gastrointestinal condition |
IBS pain can occur anywhere in the abdomen, but is commonly lower abdominal and is characteristically related to bowel movements and altered bowel habits. In contrast, flank pain usually refers to pain at the side or small of the back—between the lower ribs and hip—and may stem from kidneys/ureters, urinary infection, stones, or musculoskeletal causes.
Why clarification matters
IBS does not normally cause urinary-system pain. It can coexist with urinary urgency or pelvic discomfort, but pain specifically linked to urination, blood in urine, fever, or true back/flank pain should not simply be attributed to IBS.
A kidney stone can cause sharp, wave-like pain in the back or side that may spread toward the lower abdomen or groin, sometimes with nausea, vomiting, blood in urine, urinary urgency, or painful urination. A kidney infection more often causes steady side/back pain with fever, chills, nausea, painful/frequent urination, or cloudy/foul-smelling urine.
What a doctor might ask?
“Do you mean pain on both sides of the lower back, near the kidneys, or pain on both sides of the abdomen? Is it associated with burning while passing urine, frequent urination, fever, blood in urine, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, or relief after passing stool or gas?”
This question helps distinguish whether the customer’s “both sides” pain is more likely urinary/kidney-related, bowel/IBS-related, or another cause such as muscle pain.
Pain on both sides of the abdomen: What each answer may indicate
| If they report… | It may indicate… | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pain in the lower back or sides, near the ribs/waist | Flank pain | May arise from kidneys, ureters, muscles, or spine rather than IBS |
| Burning while urinating, urgency, frequency, cloudy/foul urine | Urinary tract infection (UTI) | Requires urine testing and clinician-guided treatment, particularly if symptoms are persistent |
| Fever, chills, nausea/vomiting plus flank/back pain | Possible kidney infection | Needs same-day urgent medical evaluation |
| Severe, wave-like pain moving toward lower abdomen or groin; blood in urine | Possible kidney stone or ureteric obstruction | May need urgent assessment, urine testing, and imaging |
| Pain with bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, or relief after stool/gas | IBS-type bowel spasm or gas-related abdominal pain | IBS is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel habits; pain may occur anywhere in the abdomen. |
| Pain worse with bending, twisting, pressure, or lifting | Muscle or spinal pain | A musculoskeletal source becomes more likely |
| Pelvic/lower abdominal pain with urinary discomfort but no proven infection | Bladder or pelvic condition | Needs clinical assessment; IBS alone should not be assumed |
Core interpretation
-
Urine-linked symptoms point more toward a urinary tract, bladder, kidney, or ureter problem.
-
Bowel-linked symptoms—especially a change in stool pattern or pain relieved by passing stool/gas—fit IBS more closely.
-
Both may coexist, so having IBS does not rule out a UTI, stone, or kidney infection. Flank pain is commonly associated with urinary conditions such as stones and infection, although muscles can also cause it.
Urgent warning signs
We advise urgent same-day medical care if the person has fever/chills, severe side or back pain, vomiting, blood in urine, difficulty passing urine, confusion, pregnancy, or feels very unwell. Those features may indicate infection, obstruction, or stones
