Burning sensation during urination

In women

Urinary infections can be located in the bladder, known as cystitis, or in the kidneys, when the infection is called pyelonephritis. Most infections are caused by bacteria, most commonly the germ 'Escherichia coli'. Cystitis is the most common bacterial infection in women, with an estimated 50% of women experiencing at least one episode of urinary infection in their lifetime.

Cystitis manifests as pain or burning during urination, a frequent need to urinate, often pain or heaviness in the lower abdomen, and sometimes the presence of blood in the urine. The urine may be cloudy and have a bad odour.

Pyelonephritis is an infection that affects the kidney. The infection most often spreads upwards from the bladder. Symptoms of pyelonephritis start suddenly with the onset of chills, high fever, pain in the lower back, nausea, and vomiting. About one-third of people suffering from pyelonephritis also have symptoms of cystitis.

The doctor may sometimes decide to carry out additional examinations. This may be a test that is done in a few minutes using a strip dipped in urine, or an examination called a 'urine culture' that provides results in a few days. A urine culture allows confirmation of the presence of infection, identification of the responsible bacteria, and finally, assurance that the prescribed antibiotic is effective.

It is not always easy to distinguish a urinary infection from a gynaecological infection. Reviewing your symptoms and urinalysis may sometimes allow the doctor to rule out the diagnosis of a urinary infection and refer you to your gynaecologist.

Urinary infections are common in women as bacteria migrate from the vaginal and anal areas, where they are naturally present, to the bladder. Urinary infections can also occur as a result of sexual intercourse because movements can facilitate the migration of bacteria into the bladder. Hormonal changes that occur during menopause contribute to the occurrence of cystitis at this stage of life.

Urinary infections are treated with antibiotics. The duration of treatment is shorter for cystitis than for pyelonephritis. The doctor who prescribes the antibiotic will always tell you how long you need to take the medication.

The symptoms usually decrease during the first three days of treatment, and progress can sometimes be slower, especially in cases of severe pain at the time of diagnosis or recurrent infections.

Sometimes doctors give women who frequently suffer from cystitis and can recognise the symptoms of the infection a spare antibiotic to use during the next infection.

Contrary to popular belief, cranberries are not effective in treating urinary infections.

How to avoid urinary infections?

For frequent urinary infections, the first piece of advice is to drink plenty of fluids. Women who have urinary infections associated with sexual activity are advised to urinate after each encounter. Women who experience urinary infections during menopause are sometimes given oestrogen-based therapy.

If you would like to learn more, you can find information about urinary infections on the Planète santé website. You can also find a video on the CHUV Medical Atlas that will visually explain what urinary infections are.

Although less common than in women, urinary infections also occur in men. These infections can be located in various parts of the urinary tract, including the bladder, kidneys, urethra (the canal between the bladder and the outside), and the prostate.

Urinary infections that affect the bladder and kidneys are rare in younger men but become more common after the age of 60. Urethritis, which is often the result of a sexually transmitted infection, is more common in young men.

Symptoms of a urinary infection include frequent urination, a burning sensation when urinating, and sometimes an urgent need to urinate.

An infection that affects the kidney is called ‘pyelonephritis’ and most often spreads upwards from the bladder. Symptoms of pyelonephritis begin suddenly with the onset of chills, fever, lower back pain, nausea, and vomiting. About one-third of people who suffer from pyelonephritis also have symptoms of cystitis.

The doctor will most often suggest additional tests. This can be a test that takes a few minutes by dipping a strip into the urine or another test called a ‘urine culture’ which gives results in a few days. A urine culture allows the confirmation of the presence of an infection, identification of the responsible bacterium, and ensuring that the antibiotic being given to you is effective.

In men, urinary infections are often associated with abnormalities of the urinary tract, whether anatomical or functional (for example, incomplete emptying of the bladder). Infections are sometimes secondary after interventions on the genitourinary organs.

The origin of urinary infections is not always clear, but they may be triggered by deformities, even minimal, of the urinary tract or abnormalities in their function, such as the inability to completely empty the bladder. Interventions such as the placement of urinary catheters or surgeries on the genitourinary organs can also trigger these infections.

Urinary infections are treated with antibiotics. For a bladder infection, therapy usually lasts seven days (Ciprofloxacin or Co-trimoxazole). Based on the results of the urine test, you may be advised to change the antibiotic after 2 to 3 days.

It is important to drink at least 2 litres of fluid daily (non-alcoholic), to help your body eliminate the bacteria that have infected your bladder.

Symptoms usually decrease during the first three days of treatment, although progress may be slower.

If you want to learn more, you will find information about urinary infections on the Passeport santé website. You can also find in the CHUV Medical Atlas a video that will visually explain what urinary infections are.