Dysuria

Key takeaways

• Frequency and urgency without vaginal symptoms suggest cystitis, while urethral discharge or sexual exposure raises STI concern.
• Vaginal irritation, ulcers, stones and chemical irritants can cause dysuria without a bacterial bladder infection.
• Pregnancy, male sex, fever, flank pain, recurrence or treatment failure increases the need for testing and examination.

The listings below do not identify the cause; antibiotics should follow the likely site, test results and individual risks.

Narrowing the source

Urinalysis and culture assess urinary infection, while nucleic-acid testing can identify chlamydia or gonorrhoea according to exposure. Pelvic or genital examination may be appropriate when discharge, sores or irritation is present. Persistent blood in urine needs follow-up after infection resolves.

Treatment depends on diagnosis

Uncomplicated bacterial cystitis may use a short antibiotic course. Urethritis requires organism-directed treatment and partner management, while vaginitis, stones and bladder-pain syndrome need different care. Fluids support hydration but do not substitute for treating an established infection.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent care for fever with flank pain, repeated vomiting, inability to urinate, severe pelvic or testicular pain, pregnancy with urinary symptoms, confusion or visible blood with clots.