What causes pain during urination?
March 27, 2023 | 80,00 EUR | answered by Luisa Ehrig
Dear Sir/Madam Urologist,
I am reaching out to you because I have been experiencing pain while urinating for some time now and I am worried about what could be causing it. The symptoms started about a month ago and have not improved since then, but have actually worsened. The pain is mainly present at the beginning of urination and is sharp and burning. I also have the feeling that I need to go to the bathroom more frequently, even though the amount of urine is not particularly large.
About me: I am a 45-year-old male with no previous conditions related to the urinary tract or kidneys. I drink enough fluids and make sure to eat healthily. I have not taken any medications that could explain the symptoms, and I have not engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse that could indicate a sexually transmitted infection.
I am very concerned as the pain is significantly affecting my daily life and I fear that it could be a serious condition. Could the symptoms be due to a urinary tract infection, or are there other possible causes that could explain these symptoms?
I would be very grateful if you could provide me with possible causes and give me advice on what I can do to alleviate the symptoms. I would like to know if a visit to the urologist is necessary and what further steps I should take to protect my health.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Albrecht Kuhn
Dear Mr. Kuhn,
Thank you for your detailed description of your symptoms. The symptoms you described while urinating, such as sharp and burning pains and increased urge to urinate, can indeed indicate an infection of the urinary tract. Such an infection can have various causes and often affects the bladder (cystitis) or the urethra (urethritis).
Urinary tract infections are less common in men compared to women, but they can still occur. Another possible cause of your symptoms could be prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate. Other conditions such as kidney stones, an overactive bladder, or even a sexually transmitted infection should also be considered.
To determine the exact cause of your symptoms, an examination by a urologist is essential. The urologist will take a thorough medical history, perform clinical examinations, and likely recommend a urine test, a urine culture for bacteria, and potentially other diagnostic measures such as an ultrasound or cystoscopy.
In terms of relieving your symptoms, in the meantime, you can try drinking plenty of water to flush out the bladder, which can be helpful. Warm sitz baths can also help alleviate the symptoms. Avoiding alcoholic beverages, spicy foods, and caffeine is important as they can exacerbate the symptoms.
It is important that you do not take your symptoms lightly and make an appointment with a urologist promptly. The earlier the cause of your symptoms is identified, the sooner appropriate treatment can be initiated to avoid potential complications.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you and I am happy to assist you with any further questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need additional support.
Sincerely,
Luisa Ehrig
