UTI Doctor in Mesa, AZ

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

One of the most common reasons for women to see a physician, especially a urologist with specialty training in urogynecology, is recurrent UTIs.

UTI Testing

Recurrent UTIs must be first proven with a urine culture to determine the bacterial strain for the proper antibiotics since many of the symptoms of UTIs in women can be easily confused with many “crossover” female bladder conditions that mimic UTIs.

Symptoms of UTI

Urinary tract infection symptoms can include:

• burning with voiding
• burning of the inner vaginal skin
• bladder pressure
• urethral pressure
• “peeing razor blades”
• blood in the urine
• severe sense of urgency to voiding
• pain with voiding
• inability to empty the bladder
• frequency to void in the day and night
• low grade temperature
• nausea
• headache
• loss of appetite
• confusion
• pelvic cramps

Other conditions that may mimic UTI symptoms include:

• Overactive Bladder
• Underactive Bladder
• Neurogenic Bladder
• Interstitial Cystitis / Painful Bladder Syndrome
• Bladder Cancer
• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Viral Infection of the urine
• Yeast infection of the urine
• Bladder Stones
• Menopausal changes to the urethra/vagina/bladder.

These conditions can co-exist with recurrent urinary tract infections.

UTI Diagnosis

A very methodical pelvic exam and workup will usually yield the correct cause and then treatment and prevention strategies can be adopted.

Bacterial infection of the urethra is also considered a UTI and may mimic similar symptoms as noted above. If the kidney is involved, then flank pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever can occur, which if severe enough may warrant inpatient treatment with IV antibiotics if sepsis is suspected.

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