It’s not uncommon to experience random aches and pains. In most cases, the discomfort is harmless or a sign that a person has overexerted themselves, slept poorly, or spent too long in one position. However, pain that keeps coming back, especially in the same location, is usually a sign that something more serious may be happening beneath the surface. In particular, a woman who experiences pain under her right ribs on the upper right side of her abdomen (called the “right upper quadrant”) may be receiving a warning to take action.
However, this symptom can be attributed to a variety of conditions, from indigestion to liver failure, so don’t automatically assume the worst. Still, women shouldn’t ignore repeated pain under their right rib. A doctor can help determine the cause of the unusual pain and develop a treatment plan if needed. Find out what that phantom pain means, the potential underlying causes, how doctors might diagnose it and when to act fast.
What’s happening in your body
There are actually quite a few essential organs on the right side of the body under the ribs. As noted by the Cleveland Clinic, the right upper abdomen includes organs like the liver, gallbladder, the right kidney, the intestines and, especially in women, things tied to the reproductive system like the ovaries and Fallopian tubes. When one of these structures is irritated, inflamed, blocked or under stress, it can send pain signals to that rib area.
Additionally, muscles, nerves, the lungs and the chest area just above the ribs may cause pain that seems to be located under the ribs. Because there are many possible sources, doctors pay attention to details such as how the pain feels, when it started, what makes it better or worse and what other symptoms accompany it.
Common causes of right side pain
WebMD notes that right side pain is a common symptom of many conditions, so knowing the possibilities helps narrow things down.
Gallstones or Cholecystitis
The gallbladder is an organ that stores bile, which is released during digestion to help break down fats. When imbalances occur in bile or a person has too much cholesterol, that material can harden and turn into gallstones. Similarly, the gallbladder can become inflamed, which is known as cholecystitis. Medical News Today reports that both gallstones and cholecystitis can cause a steady, severe pain under the right ribs, sometimes radiating to the right shoulder blade or back.
Preeclampsia
Sudden pain under the right ribs can take on a different meaning for pregnant women. The symptom is often a sign of high blood pressure or swelling, which can be a warning sign that preeclampsia might be present. Especially for pregnant women, Carla M. Williams, MD, FACOG, co-founder and medical director of Maryam, a reproductive health and wellness practice, warns that the symptom shouldn’t be ignored.
Preclampsia can be dangerous for both the baby and the mother. She notes that women should seek medical attention immediately “if the pain is severe and/or accompanied by additional signs/symptoms such as headache, vision changes, swelling, etc.”
Lung or chest issues
Sometimes, lung problems like pneumonia, tumors, or issues with the lining of the lungs (known as pleura) can cause pain “under the ribs,” according to the Mayo Clinic. As Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD, explains, “Lung diseases do not only affect smokers, and the rates are increasing in women. Factors are radon exposure, secondhand smoke, age, lifestyle choices and environmental toxins. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional to determine the next steps.”
Other common causes
As per the World Health Organization, problems such as fatty liver, hepatitis, or even an abscess (a type of infection) can cause pain or a feeling of fullness or pressure under the right ribs. Additionally, if the right kidney has a kidney stone or is infected, pain is usually the first sign that something is wrong, according to Medical News Today. It may radiate up to the right rib area. The pain can even extend into the back or groin, and a woman might also experience urinary symptoms like burning or blood in the urine.
Digestive issues, such as acid reflux, gastritis or intestinal irritation, can sometimes cause pain in the area near the ribs. Additionally, studies note that while Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is a less common condition, it causes inflammation of the liver’s outer covering because of an infection that has spread, typically from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It causes sharp pain in the right upper area, often exacerbated by movement and breathing.
Finally, if there’s a physical injury to the ribs, a strained muscle or even inflammation in the rib cartilage (known as costochondritis), that can produce pain under or around the ribs.
Diagnosis and treatment of right side pain
To determine the exact cause of pain under the ribs, doctors may employ various diagnostic tools and treatments. Typically, they will begin by taking a history and performing a physical exam before recommending further testing. Medline Plus points out that scans like abdominal ultrasound or CT can show if there are gallstones, inflammation or problems in your liver, kidneys or other organs.
Doctors may check liver enzymes, kidney function, white blood cell count or other markers to see if there’s inflammation or organ damage. If a kidney or urinary problem is suspected, urine tests can be used to check for infection or blood. According to the National Library of Medicine, if gallbladder disease is suspected but an ultrasound doesn’t provide clarity, a HIDA scan (a nuclear medicine test) can determine if there are issues with how bile flows through the gallbladder and bile ducts.
Treatment
Treatment for pain under the ribs can vary widely and is dependent on the cause of the pain.
- Gallbladder issues: Doctors may prescribe antibiotics or pain medicines. In more serious cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the gallbladder.
- Infections: Antibiotics may be prescribed, and in some cases, draining may be required if pus is present.
- Kidney stones: Small stones may pass with the help of fluids and pain control, but larger stones may require procedures or physical removal.
- Liver disease: Physicians will focus on treating any underlying condition, such as viral hepatitis, fatty liver or other causes.
- Physical injuries: At-home treatment may be sufficient and will usually include rest, pain relief, ice or heat and limiting movements that aggravate the pain.
- Fitz-Hugh-Curtis: Antibiotics are usually the core solution for controlling and eliminating any underlying infection.
When should I go to the ER for right side pain?
If pain is very sudden, sharp, gets worse quickly, or comes with dangerous signs like fever, vomiting, swelling, yellowing of skin or eyes, blood in stool or urine, trouble breathing or chest pain, then seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room.
When to see a doctor
Infrequent pain under the right ribs should be monitored, but it isn’t exactly cause for alarm. Persistent pain that returns, lasts for more than one day, worsens or is accompanied by other symptoms is a sign to see a doctor.
Dr. Williams reminds pregnant women that they should speak to their prenatal care provider since pain under the right rib can sometimes be a sign of preeclampsia. Especially for Black women, who often face worse maternal health outcomes than their peers, don’t delay seeking medical care.
Bottom line
Pain under the right ribs can sometimes be nothing, but it can also be a sign of many different reasons for concern. Avoid trying to self-diagnose the problem, especially if pain is persistent, recurrent or comes with additional warning signs. The right diagnosis can lead to the right treatment and preserve health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What organ is on the right side under the ribs in females?
Many organs are under the right ribs. This includes the liver, gallbladder, part of the right kidney, parts of the intestines and specifically in women, the right ovary and Fallopian tube.
Can constipation cause pain under the ribs?
Yes, pain associated with constipation is possible if the intestines are full, stretched or irritated. However, constipation rarely causes sharp or severe pain in that area.
Citations
Cleveland Clinic Staff. Liver Overview, Function, Anatomy, Conditions and Disorders, and Care. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21481-liver
Victoria Hamilton. What to Know About a Side Stitch. WebMD. Published 2024. https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/what-to-know-about-a-side-stitch
Medical News Today. Cholecystitis: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Medical News Today. Published 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/172067
WHO Staff. Hepatitis. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/hepatitis
Medical News Today. Right Upper Quadrant Pain Under the Ribs: 9 causes. Medical News Today. Published 2019. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325862
Mayo Clinic Staff. Pneumonia – Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354204
Basit H, Pop A, Malik A, Sharma S. Fitz-hugh-curtis syndrome. StatPearls. Published 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499950/
Medline Plus Staff. CT Scans. Medline Plus. https://medlineplus.gov/ctscans.html
Snyder E, Kashyap S, Lopez PP. Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid Scan. StatPearls Published 2023. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539781/