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If you experience pain or discomfort during urination and you notice that the pain is in the area of the ureter, you may be suffering from a common condition called dysuria. What is Dysuria, and what causes it in men and women, and what are the ways to treat it?
◉ What is Dysuria?
Dysuria is a medical term that refers to a symptom marked by painful sensation, discomfort, tingling, itching or burning during urination.
Dysuria can arise from a variety of underlying causes, and it can be accompanied by a range of symptoms. This condition can affect people of all ages, with a higher propensity observed in women.
It is crucial to diagnose and treat this condition properly, as there can be an underlying cause behind these symptoms that may potentially have serious consequences.
◉ Causes of dysuria in women
Potential causes of dysuria in women include:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Kidney, Bladder or Urethral Stones
- Vaginal Infections or Dryness: yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and hormonal changes can lead to irritation contribute to dysuria.
- Genital herpes and Gonorrhea
- Urinary tract cancers
- Vulvodynia
- Endometriosis
- Vulvovaginitis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Use of urinary catheters
- Trauma or Injury
- Foreign Bodies
◉ The causes of dysuria in men
Potential causes of dysuria in men include:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Kidney, Bladder or Urethral Stones
- Genital herpes and Gonorrhea
- Cancer
- Prostatitis
- Enlarged prostate
- Urinary tract cancers
- Use of urinary catheters
- Epididymitis
- Narrowing of the urethra
◉ Associated symptoms
This painful sensation during urination can often be accompanied by a variety of associated symptoms.
- Feeling of burning during urination.
- Itching in the genital area.
- Severe pain at the beginning or after urination.
- Irritation and redness in the area.
- Foul-smelling urine.
- Lower back pain.
- Urinary incontinence.
- Cloudy urine.
- Blood in Urine (Hematuria).
- Fever.
- Abnormal discharge.
◉ Diagnosis
Diagnosing the cause of dysuria involves a comprehensive approach to identify the specific reason behind painful urination.
- 1. Taking the patient's medical history: The healthcare provider will begin by taking a detailed medical history : the nature of the symptoms, their duration, any triggering factors, sexual history, recent illnesses, and medication use.
- 2. Physical Examination: Inspection and palpation are employed to meticulously search for signs of inflammation, infection, or other abnormalities in the genital and pelvic areas.
- 3. Urinalysis: It's used to detect and manage a wide range of disorders : leukocytes in Urine , blood in Urine, protein in urine, chyluria, Ketones in Urine, Mucus in Urine.
- 4. Urine Culture: If an infection is suspected, a urine culture might be ordered to identify the bacteria causing the infection and guide appropriate antibiotic treatment.
- 5. Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing
- 6. Blood Tests: Can provide insights into kidney function and screen for conditions that could be contributing to dysuria.
- 7. Imaging: Like ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be ordered to visualize the urinary tract and identify any structural abnormalities.
- 8. Vaginal swab for women: A swab is taken from the vaginal area and analyzed to identify potential infections, inflammation, or other factors that might be contributing to the painful urination.
- 9. Digital rectal examination: This examination can help identify potential issues such as inflammation, enlargement, or abnormalities of the prostate.
◉ Treatment
Dysuria is usually treated based on the underlying cause, as follows:
- If the condition is caused by a bacterial infection or urinary tract infection, the patient is prescribed antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, or nitrofurantoin.
- If dysuria is caused by some dietary factors or wrong habits, such as improper use of soap, pharmaceuticals, or scented tissues, the treatment is merely avoiding the irritant.
- When the underlying cause is systemic, such as bladder diseases, prostate diseases, or vaginal diseases, then the primary approach is to treat the underlying medical problem.
◉ Prevention
Here are the most important tips recommended by doctors to prevent this condition:
- Drink an adequate amount of water daily, reaching up to 3 liters per day, to cleanse and protect the urinary system from diseases.
- Replace incontinence pads multiple times a day as they are a major source of diseases and microbes.
- Ensure to clean yourself after urination and use cotton tissue to eliminate moisture.
