Gallbladder Symptoms In Men

Gallbladder problems are often thought of as something that mainly affects women, but men can develop gallstones and gallbladder disease too.

In fact, my husband also had his gallbladder removed, so between us we’ve experienced gallbladder surgery from both a woman’s and a man’s perspective (you can read his story further down this post). Although the symptoms are often similar, everyone’s experience is different, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to write this guide.

I’ve been living without a gallbladder for over 20 years, and during that time I’ve learned just how confusing the symptoms can be. Many people mistake them for indigestion, heartburn or even a pulled muscle, meaning they delay getting the help they need.

In this article, I’ll explain the most common gallbladder symptoms in men, what a gallbladder attack can feel like, when to seek medical advice and what happened when my husband went through it himself.

What Does the Gallbladder Do?

The gallbladder is a small organ located just beneath your liver. Its job is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fats.

When you eat, especially foods containing fat, the gallbladder releases bile into your digestive system. If gallstones develop or the gallbladder becomes inflamed, this process can become painful and lead to a range of digestive symptoms.

What Are the Most Common Gallbladder Symptoms in Men?

Although symptoms vary from person to person, some of the most common include:

• Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
• Pain after eating fatty meals
• Pain spreading to the back or right shoulder
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating
• Indigestion
• Excessive wind
• Feeling unusually full after eating
• Gallbladder attacks that come and go

Some men experience only mild discomfort, while others develop sudden, severe pain that requires emergency treatment.

Upper Right Abdominal Pain

This is often the first symptom people notice.

The pain is usually felt beneath the ribs on the right-hand side, although some people describe it as being closer to the centre of the upper abdomen.

It may:

• Come on suddenly
• Last from 30 minutes to several hours
• Feel sharp, cramping or constant
• Return after eating

Some people only experience occasional attacks, while others find the pain becomes more frequent over time.

Pain After Eating Fatty Foods

One of the classic signs of gallbladder problems is pain after eating foods that are high in fat.

Common trigger foods include:

• Fried foods
• Takeaways
• Pizza
• Burgers
• Pastries
• Creamy sauces
• Cheese
• Chocolate

Not everyone reacts to the same foods, but many people notice symptoms appearing within an hour or two of eating.

Pain That Spreads to Your Back or Shoulder

Gallbladder pain doesn’t always stay in your stomach.

Many people experience pain that radiates to:

• The middle of the back
• Between the shoulder blades
• The right shoulder

This can sometimes make people think they’ve strained a muscle when the real problem is their gallbladder.

Nausea and Vomiting

Feeling sick is another common symptom.

Some people feel mildly nauseous after meals, while others may vomit during a gallbladder attack.

If nausea is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, fever or jaundice, seek medical advice promptly.

Bloating, Wind and Indigestion

Not every gallbladder problem causes severe pain.

Some people mainly experience digestive symptoms such as:

• Bloating
• Excessive wind
• Burping
• Indigestion
• Feeling overly full after eating

Because these symptoms are common with other digestive conditions too, gallbladder disease can sometimes be overlooked.

What Does a Gallbladder Attack Feel Like?

A gallbladder attack can be frightening if you’ve never experienced one before.

Many people describe it as:

• Sudden, intense pain
• Pain that builds quickly
• Pain that won’t ease by changing position
• Pain lasting from 30 minutes to several hours
• Feeling sick or sweating

For some people, attacks happen occasionally. For others, they become more frequent until treatment is needed.

Are Gallbladder Symptoms Different in Men?

The symptoms themselves are generally the same in both men and women.

However, gallstones are more common in women, particularly during pregnancy or later in life. Because of this, gallbladder disease is sometimes thought of as a “women’s problem.”

The reality is that men can experience exactly the same symptoms, and they shouldn’t ignore persistent pain or digestive problems.

My Husband’s Gallbladder Story

When people think about gallbladder problems, they often assume they mainly affect women. But my husband’s experience shows that men can develop gallstones too—and sometimes the symptoms go unnoticed for years.

His very first gallbladder attack happened back in 2007 while he was working overseas. After eating a pizza one evening, he woke up during the night with severe stomach cramps, abdominal pain, a fever and terrible wind. The pain came in waves, leaving him drenched in sweat before eventually settling by morning.

Like many people, he simply assumed he’d picked up a stomach bug or eaten some bad food. He felt exhausted the next day, but once the symptoms disappeared, he carried on with life and thought nothing more of it.

Looking back, that was almost certainly his first gallbladder attack.

Over the following 16 years, he continued to have occasional attacks, but because they were so unpredictable, he never connected them to his gallbladder. Sometimes the pain would spread around his rib cage, into his back and shoulders. He described it as a burning pain that made it difficult to catch his breath. The attacks could last for up to an hour before easing on their own, leaving him feeling drained afterwards.

In 2015, he finally sought medical advice. Blood tests were carried out and the doctor examined his abdomen. They also performed an ECG to rule out heart problems because the pain was affecting his chest and back. However, no ultrasound scan was arranged at the time, so gallstones weren’t identified.

It wasn’t until 2023 that everything changed.

He suffered what he now describes as a catastrophic gallbladder attack. The pain was so severe that he stayed in bed for four days, convinced he had a virus. Towards the evening of the fourth day, he suddenly felt a strange release of pressure and noticed that his stools had turned a pale, clay colour.

The following morning, although the intense pain had eased, he was completely exhausted and his abdomen still felt extremely tender. When I looked at him, I immediately noticed that the whites of his eyes had turned yellow.

I knew something wasn’t right.

I told him we were going straight to the doctor.

His GP arranged for him to be admitted to hospital immediately. He underwent blood tests and an ultrasound scan, although the results weren’t completely clear. After spending the night in hospital, he was discharged with an urgent MRI scan arranged for two weeks later.

The MRI confirmed the problem, and within six weeks he had undergone laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery.

Surprisingly, he wasn’t nervous about the operation. In fact, after years of unexplained attacks, he was relieved that the problem had finally been diagnosed and was going to be treated.

The surgery itself went well, although afterwards he was told that his gallbladder had ruptured during the operation and he needed intravenous antibiotics before being discharged home later the same day.

Recovery wasn’t instant.

For the first week, he stuck to bland, low-fat meals, yoghurt and avoided alcohol completely. Because of irritation caused by bile and acid, it took his digestive system almost a year to feel fully settled again. Foods like potatoes, crisps and garlic bread caused problems during those early months, even though he can tolerate most foods today.

When I asked him what advice he’d give another man experiencing similar symptoms, his answer really stood out.

“Don’t ignore the warning signs. If your stools become pale or clay coloured after an attack, or the whites of your eyes start turning yellow, get medical help straight away. And if your symptoms aren’t improving, ask for an ultrasound scan.”

Today, he says life is much better. He no longer worries about sudden gallbladder attacks, his digestion has gradually rebalanced, and although he still keeps an eye on how much fat he eats, he enjoys a normal diet again.

His biggest regret?

Thinking the attacks would simply get better on their own.

They didn’t.

When Should You See a Doctor?

It’s important not to ignore ongoing gallbladder symptoms.

Arrange an appointment with your GP if you have:

• Repeated pain after eating
• Ongoing upper abdominal pain
• Frequent indigestion with no obvious cause
• Persistent bloating
• Symptoms that keep returning

Seek urgent medical attention if you develop:

• Severe abdominal pain that won’t ease
• A high temperature or fever
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Persistent vomiting
• Dark urine or pale stools

These symptoms may indicate a more serious problem that needs prompt treatment.

What Happens If You Need Gallbladder Surgery?

If gallstones are causing ongoing symptoms, your doctor may recommend keyhole surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) to remove the gallbladder.

It’s one of the most common operations performed in the UK.

Most people recover well and are able to return to normal activities within a few weeks, although digestion can take a little longer to settle.

Read next: Gallbladder Surgery Recovery: Timeline and what to expect.

What Can You Eat While Waiting for Surgery?

Many people find it helpful to choose meals that are naturally lower in fat while waiting for surgery.

That doesn’t mean eating bland food.

At The Gallbladder Kitchen, you’ll find plenty of recipes designed with this in mind, including:

• Homemade soups
• Chicken recipes
• Fish recipes
• Breakfast ideas
• Meal plans

Browse my Gallbladder-Friendly Recipes for meal inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can men get gallstones?

Yes. Although gallstones are more common in women, men can also develop them and experience the same symptoms.

Can gallbladder pain come and go?

Yes. Many people experience attacks that come and go over weeks or months before being diagnosed.

Can stress cause gallbladder pain?

Stress doesn’t directly cause gallstones, but it may make digestive symptoms feel worse or make you more aware of discomfort.

Can gallbladder pain feel like heartburn?

Sometimes. Gallbladder pain and indigestion can feel similar, which is why it’s important to get persistent symptoms checked by a healthcare professional.

Can you live normally without a gallbladder?

Yes. Most people go on to live normal, healthy lives after gallbladder removal, although it can take time to discover which foods suit you best.

Final Thoughts

Gallbladder problems in men are more common than many people realise. The symptoms can range from occasional discomfort after eating to painful gallbladder attacks that interfere with everyday life.

If you’ve been experiencing ongoing pain, bloating or digestive problems, don’t ignore them. Getting a proper diagnosis can make all the difference.

Living without a gallbladder is an adjustment, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up enjoying food. Here at The Gallbladder Kitchen, I share the recipes, tips and real-life experience I wish I’d had after my own surgery.

Whether you’re waiting for surgery, recovering afterwards or simply looking for meals that are kinder on your digestion, I hope you’ll find something here to help.