Experiencing pain while urinating can cause all kinds of emotions: confusion, embarrassment, fear, and distress. It could be tempting to chalk symptoms up to a urinary tract infection (UTI) to try and get treatment as quickly as possible with minimal time at the doctor. However, there are many other conditions that have similar symptoms to UTIs but require different treatments. So it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider to rule out other possibilities.
Learn more here about the causes, risk factors, and diagnosis of UTIs, and when the signs might point to a kidney infection.
References
Adaji, S. E., et al. (2011). Bothersome lower urinary symptoms during pregnancy: A preliminary study using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire. African Health Sciences.
Al-Badr, A., et al. (2013). Recurrent urinary tract infections management in women. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal.
Coker, T. J., et al. (2016). Acute bacterial prostatitis: Diagnosis and management. American Family Physician.
DeGeorge, K. C., et al. (2017). Bladder cancer: Diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2022). What causes UTIs & UI?.
Flores-Mireles, A., et al. (2016). Urinary tract infections: Epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options. National Review Microbiology.
Frassetto, L., et al. (2011). Treatment and prevention of kidney stones: An update. American Family Physician.
Hainer, B. L., et al. (2011). Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician.
Jepson, R. G., et al. (2008). Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Systematic Review.
Jido, T. A. (2014). Urinary tract infections in pregnancy: Evaluation of diagnostic framework. Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation.
McLellan, L. K., et al. (2016). Urinary tract infection: Pathogenesis and outlook. Trends in Molecular Medicine.
Michels, T. C., et al. (2015). Dysuria: Evaluation and differential diagnosis in adults. American Family Physician.
National Health Services. (2021). Symptoms kidney infection.
Paduch, D. A. (2007). Viral lower urinary tract infections. Current Urology Reports.
Petejova, N., et al. (2016). Renal cell carcinoma: Review of etiology, pathophysiology and risk factors. Biomedical Papers of the Medical Faculty of the University Palacky, Olomouc, Czechoslovakia.
Reid, G. (1999). Potential preventive strategies and therapies in urinary tract infection. World Journal of Urology.
Snyder, M. J., et al. (2018). Acute appendicitis: Efficient diagnosis and management. American Family Physician.
Tan, C. W., et al. (2016). Urinary tract infections in adults. Singapore Medical Journal.
Truzzi, J. C., et al. (2016). Overactive bladder - 18 years - part I.. International Brazilian Journal of Urology.
Urology Care Foundation. (n.d.). What is kidney (renal) infection - pyelonephritis?.
Wagenlehner, F. M. E., et al. (2016). The presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International.
Ziegler, R., et al. (2018). Diabetes in childhood and adolescence. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International.
Why trust our experts?


Search and compare options









