Left abdominal pain in a female

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, i am a 16 year old female and am having lower left side abdominal pain. I am having trouble walking, and i cannot sit for a long time cause it starts to hurt me badly! i had been feeling this pain for a week! this pain sometimes is spreading to my lower right abdomen, I have lost abit of weight.

Dear Mariana: The most common causes of left sided abdominal pain are due to a urinary tract infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cyst, muscular strain, ectopic pregnancy or constipation. In your case, since the pain has continued for a week, warrants for a physical examination and diagnostic tests. A urinalysis, ultrasound and abdominal x-ray may be required to diagnose the cause of pain abdomen. Treatment will depend on the cause, I wish you well, take care.