Many conditions can cause lower left side abdominal pain. According to MayoClinic.com, abdominal pain, including lower left side abdominal pain, can be caused by the viscera--a person's internal organs--or structures outside the abdomen. Causes of lower left side abdominal pain may be harmless or they can lead to serious health complications. Lower left quadrant abdominal pain that comes on suddenly may indicate a serious underlying condition that requires evaluation by a qualified health care professional.
Constipation
Constipation is a common cause of lower left side abdominal pain. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a person is constipated if he has less than three bowel movements per week. Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Most people experience constipation at some point throughout their life. The most common cause of constipation is a poor diet or a diet lacking sufficient fiber, although dehydration, lack of physical activity, laxative abuse and hormonal disturbances can all cause constipation. Common signs and symptoms associated with constipation include lower left side abdominal pain or discomfort, hard stools, the sensation of rectal blockage and the sensation of incomplete evacuation following a bowel movement. Possible complications associated with constipation include hemorrhoids or anal fissures, fecal impaction and rectal prolapse.
Bowel Cancer
Bowel cancer, also known as colon cancer, is a serious and potentially life-threatening cause of lower left quadrant abdominal pain. The National Cancer Institute estimates that about 51,000 Americans die from colon and rectal cancer every year. Certain risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing colon cancer, such as being over 50 years of age, having colorectal polyps or growths on the inner walls of the colon or rectum, a family history of colon cancer, changes in certain genes, consuming a diet low in fiber, a personal history of colon cancer and cigarette smoking. Common signs and symptoms associated with colon cancer include abdominal pain, including lower left quadrant abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, diarrhea or constipation and the sensation of incomplete evacuation following a bowel movement.
Ectopic Pregnancy
A left-sided ectopic pregnancy--a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus or womb--can cause lower left side abdominal pain. According to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, a fetus is unable to survive an ectopic pregnancy, as the tissue outside the uterus does not support the growth and development of a baby. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tubes--the tubes that transport eggs from the ovary to the uterus. In some cases, however, ectopic pregnancies can occur in the ovary, stomach area or cervix. Common signs and symptoms associated with an ectopic pregnancy include pain or cramping in the lower abdomen on the affected side, lower back pain, breast tenderness, abnormal vaginal bleeding and nausea. MedlinePlus notes that ectopic pregnancies cannot continue to term, and that the developing cells must be removed to save the mother's life.
