Abdominal Pain

  For the past 2 months, I have been having constant abdominal pain on the left side.  The pain is constant, from morning to night.  Everytime it hurts, i have to use the restroom.  I went to take the Barium enima (something) exam.  Results came back negative for anything.  This morning, i even had pain on my back at the same location as the front.  I been taking notice things about my diet.  I found that nothing strange.  No matter what i eat, I still have the same pain.  I have also notice that everytime after sex, the pain comes back stronger.  
  I am curious, that this have something to do with the Kidney.
  Please give me some advice and how to talk to the doctor to maximize my chances of getting rit of this pain.
  Thanks,
  :)

[HFHS M.D.-KR]

Dear Gemini,
Left-sided abdominal pain can be caused by a wide range of diseases. A systematic evaluation of the various organ systems that are potential causes of this pain would be the best approach. The three organ systems to be reviewed include : gastrointestinal, genitourinary and gynecologic.
The gastrointestinal causes of abdominal are many. Inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome incite a significant amount of discomfort. Although barium enema is an excellent screening tool, it does not evaluate the small bowel . Therefore performing this test may be of some benefit if the  remainder of your evaluation remains negative.
Genitourinary organs include: the kidneys, the ureters (tubes that drain the kidneys) and the bladder. Potential diseases that cause pain include kidney infection, kidney stones and bladder infection to name a few. A simple test such as a urine sample ( urinalysis ) is an excellent place to start. An x-ray test such as an IVP will allow examination of your kidneys looking for blockage or the presence of stones.
The uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are the major components of the gynecological system. Endometriosis, dysmenorrhea (abnormal uterine bleeding) and ectopic pregnancy are a few of the potential causes of abdominal pain that should be investigated in women. Therefore, a pregnancy test and pelvic exam are required for a complete assessment of the problem.
If all the tests demonstrate no evidence of a specific disease, treatment of the pain with pain medicines is warranted. This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).
HFHS M.D.-KR
*keyword: abdominal pain