Infection of the urinary tract (urethra, bladder, or kidneys) is the most common cause of dysuria. The most common type of infection is cystitis (bladder infection), pyelonephritis (kidney infection), prostatitis (prostate infection), and urethritis (inflammation of the tube, the urethra, that drains the bladder to the outside of the body). Sexually transmitted diseases can also produce symptoms of dysuria.
Other causes of dysuria include:
Your health-care professional will first review your history, which will include questions about your overall health and previous episodes of dysuria. Information about the frequency of urination and sexual and social history will often be included. The extent of the physical examination will depend to some extent on the history information. The examination will usually include an abdominal examination and often an examination of the external genitalia and a gynecologic examination for women.
A urine sample will be obtained. In the office, a dipstick test of the urine can often be done and give further clues to the cause of the dysuria. These dipstick tests can indicate the presence of bacteria and blood (both common in patients with a urinary tract infection). The sample then is sent to the laboratory where it is examined under the microscope (to confirm the presence of blood or white blood cells). A culture of the urine is performed to see if bacteria grow (both confirming a bacterial infection as well as identifying the exact bacteria causing the infection).
The most common cause of dysuria is a urinary tract infection. Infections are treated with antibiotics. Based on the current pattern of urinary tract infections in your community, your health-care professional will chose the optimal medication. If a culture indicates that bacteria are present that are resistant to the initial antibiotic, your doctor might change the medication once the results of the culture are known.
If the cause of the dysuria is not infectious, your health-care professional may order further tests and treatments.
Dysuria usually requires an evaluation by a health-care professional and should not be treated without medical supervision.
Your medical professional will chose the optimal medication for your condition. If it is an infection, an antibiotic will be prescribed and you should take the full course of the medication, even if you feel better.
Pain medication is sometimes given in the form of a general analgesic or a specific product that will numb the pain in the urinary tract. It is important to follow the instructions for these products closely.
An uncomplicated urinary tract infection usually does not require follow-up. Should you get frequent infections, further evaluation might be warranted, including a referral to a urologist and sometimes other testing such as ultrasound tests or cystoscopy.
Drinking plenty of fluids, urinating at bedtime and after sexual intercourse, not holding urine for an excessive amount of time, and good hygiene can decrease the chances of developing a urinary tract infection. Of note, these are only helpful hints as they will not guarantee prevention. Avoid any irritating product on the outside of your genitals if you are experiencing dysuria.
Most urinary tract infections will improve with appropriate antibiotics and should have no long-term consequences.
Some of the more common symptoms of kidney infection are:
