Frequent urination, is it a sign of urinary tract infection?

Have you ever experienced dysuria? Dysuria is an uncomfortable feeling when urinating, accompanied by a feeling of incomplete urination, burning, and even pain. This symptom is more often felt by women because the structure of the female urinary tract is shorter than that of men, making it easier for bacteria to enter. If dysuria occurs continuously, then you need to be alert because it could be that the urinary tract is experiencing problems.

One of the most common causes of dysuria is a urinary tract infection. This condition occurs when there is bacterial contamination in the urinary tract which eventually causes inflammation. Well, one of the typical symptoms of this condition is dysuria or urination (BAK) that feels hot but not complete. In addition to dysuria, there are several other symptoms that may be experienced by sufferers of urinary tract infections, what are they? Read more in the following article!

Dysuria is one of the symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Dysuria or dysuria due to urinary tract infection is generally characterized by a burning sensation and pain when urinating, the release of urine in small amounts but often, incomplete urination to the pelvis which feels painful. Other symptoms that may be associated with a urinary tract infection include:

1. Urine that smells strong, is thicker, or has blood in it.
2. Fever.
3. Fatigue.
4. Needing to urinate at night.
5. Abnormal urine color (cloudy urine).
6. Pain during sex.
7. Pain in the penis.
8. Pain in the flank (side) or lower back.

 

Causes and Risk Factors for Dysuria

The cause of dysuria is generally due to a disorder in the urinary tract. The following are diseases that can cause complaints of dysuria:

• Disorders of the urinary tract, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), cystitis, urethritis,
• Sexually transmitted infections, such as genital herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or Mycoplasma genitalium infections
• Disorders of the prostate, such as prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer
• Infection of the sperm duct or epididymis, known as epididymitis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Urinary tract stones such as bladder stones, ureter stones, kidney stones

In addition, there are several other factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing dysuria, namely:

1. Being female, because the female urinary tract (urethra) is shorter than that of men, so bacteria can more easily reach the bladder
2. Irritation of the vagina and urinary tract due to the use of spermicides, soap, or feminine cleansers
3. Changes in hormone levels, such as during pregnancy or menopause
4. Congenital or congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract
5. The immune system that Weak
6. Long-term use of urinary catheters
7. History of surgery on the urinary tract
8. Incorrect way of cleaning

 

Tips on How to Prevent Dysuria

• Drink plenty of water to facilitate the flow of urine.
• Clean the vagina in the correct order, starting from the vagina to the anus. To prevent bacteria from spreading from the anus to the vagina and urethra, do this every time after urinating or defecating.
• Make it a habit to urinate immediately after sex, especially if you don't use a condom.
• Avoid using anything that can irritate the vaginal and urinary tract systems, such as soap, powder, or feminine hygiene products.

Applying the methods above and living a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing dysuria. However, if at any time you experience symptoms of dysuria or if this complaint often recurs, do not hesitate to consult a urologist at RSU Hermina Pandanaran for further treatment.

 

Written by: dr. Sherly Katerina

Reviewed by: dr. Prasetyo Nugroho, Sp.U

 

References:

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-urinary-tract-infections-basics

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9135-urinary-tract-infections

https://www.healthline.com/health/urinary-tract-infection-adults