Published on: 18 March, 2021
Read Time: 3 min
Painful and frequent urination are symptoms that are linked to the following medical conditions
These conditions are discussed in more detail below.
It is estimated that around 60% of women will develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) at least once in their lifetimes. A UTI is a common infection that occurs in the lower urinary tract –the bladder and urethra.
UTI’s do not always cause signs or symptoms. However, when symptoms do appear they usually include:
If you have noticed any of the symptoms above it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible. Left untreated, a UTI can spread up towards the kidneys and lead to more serious complications. Diagnosing a UTI may be done with a quick urine sample or based on your medical symptoms alone.
Most urinary tract infections can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Your doctor may also speak to you about any previous UTIs, possible further testing and steps you can take to help prevent them from recurring.
Vaginitis occurs when the vagina or vulva have an infection or irritation. This disruption in the normal environment of the vagina leads to some of symptoms that are experienced.
Vaginitis has both infective and non-infective causes. For a majority of affected women, vaginitis is caused by: Bacterial vaginosis, yeast (candidiasis) infections and trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection.
STI’s such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes can produce a number of symptoms such as unusual vaginal discharge, rashes in the genital area and pain during urination. Therefore it is particularly important to pay attention to painful urination if it occurs.
A more detailed account of STIs, their symptoms, diagnosis and management may be found here.