Painful and frequent urination are symptoms that are linked to
- Urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Vaginitis
- STDs (ie. chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and herpes)
Urinary tract infections
It is estimated that around 60% of women will develop a UTI at least once in their lifetimes. A UTI is a common infection that occurs in the lower urinary tract.
When present, its signs and symptoms include:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Urine that appears cloudy in colour
- Strong-smelling urine
- Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colour — a sign of blood in the urine
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 UTIs 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
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 the symptoms that are experienced.
Symptoms of vaginitis include
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal itching, burning
- Pain with sexual intercourse
- Painful urination
Vaginitis can be caused by an infection or have a non-infective cause. For a majority of affected women, vaginitis is caused by: Bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections or trichomoniasis (an STI).
Treatment of vaginitis will depend on the cause. Yeast infections can be treated with specific medications available at your local pharmacist. Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis should be treated by your doctor.