For starters,stomach painis a pretty broad description.

Are we talking a mild yet persistent twinge or a cramps-that-hurt-so-badly-youre-on-the-floor kind of situation?

These seemingly little nuances all matter when it comes to narrowing down what could be behind your stomach pain.

Needles on a blue background

Getty Images/ MirageC

Nothing beats an evaluation from an expert.

The pain is pretty intense and accompanied by bloody diarrhea.

Unfortunately for you (and your toilet), this could be one of a few things.

(Here are the foodsthat most often cause food poisoning.)

Do you know of anyone else who ate the same thing and now has similar symptoms?

Regularly(or semi-regularly) having intense stomach pain and bloody diarrhea is a whole other situation.

The pain came on pretty quickly, and youre vomiting.

This could also be a sign of foodborne illness like salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, or E.coli.

Its really no surprise that if you eat something off, your body might pull anExorcistin response.

The good news is that gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own, Dr. Tripathi says.

The pain has stuck around for more than a day, and its spreading into your back.

The duration of pain is often not a reliable indicator of serious versus benign conditions, says Dr. Lee.

Point being: Call your doctor.

The pain is in your lower right abdomen, came on suddenly, and is getting worse.

If you have these symptoms, dont take a stab at wait them out.

Call your doctor orseek out medical careas quickly as possible.

Appendicitis requires immediate attention, Dr. Tripathi says.

Without prompt medical care,your appendix could burst.

The pain is in your side or lower back, and it hurts to pee.

Pain usually comes and goes and may move toward the groin, Dr. Lee says.

The pain can be so intense that it can cause nausea, vomiting, and chills.

Seriously, though, dont make a run at tough it out!

You have intense stomach cramps in your lower abdomen, but you feel better after you poop.

IBS is a chronic disorder, but its symptoms can come and go, theNIDDKsays.

Stomach cramps that recede post-poop can also sometimes be a sign of good old-fashionedconstipation.

The pain is especially intense during your period and has been getting worse over the years.

Keep in mind that the exact way endometriosis pain feels can vary from person to person.

Its usually worse during a period and can feel sharp and cramping, Dr. Streicher says.

But, for some people, its more like a dull, throbby pain.

Its also notalwaysworse during a persons periodsometimes its just bad throughout the month.

attempt to find an endometriosis specialist who can help.

Sometimes this specific punch in of stomach pain signals aruptured ovarian cyst.

Other times, cysts form when a follicle does burst but continues to accumulate fluid.

Even though it sounds kind of bonkers, this isnt always an issue.

Sometimes ovarian cysts dont cause any symptoms and eventually go away on their own, theMayo Clinicexplains.

But if one bursts, it can hurt.A lot.

The pains are often on the side, but the lasting discomfort tends to be toward the middle.

This can vary, thoughheres more of a deep diveinto how ovarian cyst pain can present.