Frequent urination with pain: causes, treatment

Frequent urination and pain are unpleasant symptoms that indicate the presence of pathology. Frequent urination is called polyuria. Emptying the bladder up to 10 times a day is considered normal. During pregnancy, in the elderly and those taking diuretics, there may be more frequent urination. If, against the background of this symptom, pain occurs in various parts of the abdomen, back, burning when urinating, then this is an alarm bell, you need to listen, get examined and immediately begin treatment.

Causes frequent urination with pain

What causes pain and frequent urination? The nature of the pain can tell the doctor which organ to focus on for diagnosis. Pain and frequent urges most likely indicate a urinary tract infection (kidneys, bladder, ureter, urethra). Women are more susceptible to these pathologies, since their urethra is shorter and wider, which favors the penetration of infections. In men, such symptoms are caused by urethritis and prostate diseases. The same manifestations are characteristic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs): genital herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia. The same symptoms occur with irritation of the urethra, provoked by excessive sexual activity, horse riding, cycling, interstitial cystitis, personal hygiene products, taking medications, tumors of the urinary system.

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Risk factors

Risk factors for frequent and painful urination are:

• female gender;
• old age;
• pregnancy;
• kidney stone disease;
• lack of personal hygiene;
• diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus;
• prostate enlargement.

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Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of the disease lies in the irritation of the receptors of the nerves of the muscles of the neck of the bladder, when pathogenic microorganisms enter or pressure is exerted on it. The signal goes to the nerve centers of the cerebral cortex, and they, in turn, "give a command" to contract the muscles, resulting in urination. In the case of inflammation of the genitourinary system or stretching of the bladder, a false signal is given at a time when it is not yet full.

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Epidemiology

Statistics claim that a third of the world's population has experienced some health problems, accompanied by frequent urges to urinate and various pains. Among men over 25, up to 80% have faced the problem of prostatitis. STDs are a common phenomenon, especially in developing countries. According to a large-scale study conducted by WHO in 1995, there were 62 million people in the world suffering from gonorrhea, 89 million from chlamydia, 170 million from trichomoniasis.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of pain and frequent urge to urinate are an alarming signal indicating the development of a pathology of the genitourinary system. The first signs of the disease are characterized by a frequent desire to urinate and small doses of excreted urine. This is accompanied by pain in the lumbar region and abdomen. The process of emptying is often accompanied by pain and burning, urine loses transparency, is stained with blood.

Frequent urination and pain in the lower abdomen

The abdominal cavity contains various internal organs: the uterus and appendages in women, intestines, kidneys, nerve bundles, lymph nodes, and blood vessels. Diseases of any of them are accompanied by pain of varying intensity. But a combination of symptoms: frequent urination and pain in the lower abdomen are characteristic of such pathologies:

• urethritis;
• cystitis;
• urolithiasis;
• gynecological diseases;
• inflammation of the testicles and their appendages in men;
• prostate adenoma;
• various neoplasms of the genitourinary system.

Back pain and frequent urination

Reason to examine the upper urinary tract or genitals. Thus, pyelonephritis or prostate adenoma is accompanied by moderate pain in the lower back, frequent urges, burning when emptying the bladder, the temperature often rises, and flakes and sometimes blood appear in the urine. Cramping pain in the sacrum with echoes in the groin indicates renal colic, in which the urethra is blocked by a stone. Severe dull aching pain is characteristic of glomerulonephritis - damage to the glomeruli of the kidneys. To make sure that the assumption is correct, you need to lie down, in this position it recedes. Long-term and gradually increasing pain, especially with physical exertion, gives a prolapsed kidney. Frequent urination and pain in the lower back in women can mean a displacement of the uterus below the anatomical norm due to various reasons, or uterine fibroids.

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Kidney pain and frequent urination

How to understand that the kidneys hurt? Painful sensations deep along the waist line or below the ribs and above the pelvis are characteristic of this pathology. Pain in the kidneys and frequent urination are a reason to immediately contact a urologist. Other signs are a burning sensation when urinating, blood fragments and opaque urine. Swelling of the face in the morning, nausea, vomiting, elevated body temperature, fever are also possible. Such symptoms are a dangerous and alarming harbinger of a serious disease.

Bladder pain and frequent urination

Characteristic of cystitis - inflammation of the bladder. How to recognize its symptoms? With cystitis, the patient feels a nagging pain in the lower abdomen and frequent urination. The urge makes you run to the toilet at intervals of 5 minutes, but relief and emptying do not occur. There is a burning sensation at the end of this act, and often severe pain radiating to the rectum. Urine is cloudy, sometimes with blood impurities, with a sharp unpleasant odor. Prerequisites for the development of pathology are hypothermia, organ injury, hormonal disorders, venous congestion in the pelvic organs, taking medications. Cystitis is classified as primary and secondary, acute and chronic, bacterial and non-bacterial. It is the acute form or exacerbation of chronic cystitis that is characterized by pain.

Frequent urination and pain in the side

May indicate pathological processes of various etiologies. Kidney diseases, female pathologies: inflammation or ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, rupture of the fallopian tube; prostate adenoma in men manifests itself as pain in both the left and right sides in combination with frequent urination. Acute pain in the right side occurs with appendicitis, it intensifies with increased physical activity, defecation and emptying the bladder.

Headache and frequent urination

Migraines are characteristic - a pathology of a neurological nature, accompanied by acute painful attacks of headache, the frequency of which varies: from several times a year to daily. Such pain is not associated with blood pressure, head injuries or neoplasms. It affects the entire head or one part of it. Its occurrence is facilitated by stress, nervous overexcitement, lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, weather factors. To date, there are only hypotheses about the occurrence of this pathology, and treatment is aimed at relieving pain.

Frequent urination and vaginal pain

They signal gynecological problems or sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia, the causative agent of which is chlamydia. It penetrates the host's epithelium, damaging it, and multiplies. Gonococci cause damage to the mucous membrane of the genitals (gonorrhea), the pathology is accompanied by swelling and soreness of the labia, purulent discharge, tickling in the urethral canal. Another type of infectious pathogens - trichomonads provoke trichomoniasis - inflammation of the vagina, cervix and glands that secrete lubrication necessary for sexual intercourse. Candidiasis or thrush can also manifest itself in frequent urination and pain due to swelling of the vaginal walls and external genitalia. A distinctive feature of the disease is itching and cheesy discharge without odor, reminiscent of curdled milk. All the diseases mentioned are sexually transmitted and require treatment of both partners.

Leg pain and frequent urination

It would seem that leg pain and frequent urination cannot be related, however, this is true. Renal colic causes pain in the groin, leg, genitals, and lower back. This is due to the blockage of the ureter by a stone, as a result of which the outflow of urine is difficult, and it accumulates in the kidneys. When emptying, bloody discharge is observed, since passing through the urethra, the stone damages the mucous membrane. Along with these symptoms, nausea, repeated vomiting, and dry mouth occur. Severe pain can occur both at rest and when moving or lifting weights. The duration of the attack varies from several hours to several days, then relief comes, the patient begins to urinate fully.

Frequent urination and pain at the end of urination

Characteristic of cystitis - inflammation of the bladder. It can be provoked by hypothermia, various infections, failure to observe personal hygiene rules, excessive sex. Sometimes spicy or sour food, carbonated drinks irritate the mucous membrane, it becomes inflamed. Portions of excreted urine become small, the urge becomes more frequent and is accompanied by a nagging pain, discomfort. If emergency measures are not taken, the condition worsens: the temperature rises, the infection rises higher and covers the kidneys, which is very dangerous for the patient.

Ovarian pain and frequent urination

Ovarian pains appear on the left or right side, depending on which side the ovary is affected, in the lower abdomen. The cause is a neoplasm or ovarian cyst. Many women do not even suspect such a disorder until it is small. Enlargement causes pain in the ovaries and frequent urination due to pressure on the bladder. Torsion or rupture becomes very painful and resembles an attack of appendicitis: it “shoots” into the rectum, the temperature rises, nausea and vomiting. Rupture of the cyst leads to intra-abdominal bleeding, which causes a drop in blood pressure, weakness, sweating, and possible fainting.

Testicular pain and frequent urination

Testicles or testicles are male sex glands, pain in them and frequent urination occurs due to an infectious and inflammatory process, which affects both mature men and teenagers. It is caused by prostatitis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, candidiasis, herpes virus. Pain of varying intensity in these diseases can radiate to the sacrum, perineum, increase with sexual activity or, conversely, with abstinence.

Chest pain and frequent urination

The first signs that indicate pregnancy. Hormonal changes that occur from the first weeks lead to overflow of blood vessels in the pelvic organs, which affects the functioning of the kidneys and bladder. By the 4th month of pregnancy, urination stabilizes, but at a later stage, when the fetus grows, there is increased pressure on the bladder, the urge to urinate becomes more frequent. The breasts become very sensitive throughout the entire period of bearing a child, swell and hurt, sometimes even from touching.

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Pain after frequent urination and discharge

Sometimes pain occurs after frequent urination and discharge appears due to the fact that urine irritates the external genitals, infection penetrates them more easily, causing inflammation. Specific and non-specific microflora penetrates the urethra, urethritis flares up, which is also characterized by discharge from the urethra, burning and pain when visiting the toilet.

Frequent urination in the morning and at night without pain

It does not always indicate a disease. It is necessary to pay attention to the nutritional characteristics, whether the products in the diet have changed, whether it is caused by taking certain medications. For example, drugs that reduce blood pressure - diuretics remove fluid from the body. A large amount of beer, coffee, watermelons on the menu, a lot of juicy fruits can also cause the same effect. Other reasons for this phenomenon are associated with changes in hormonal levels caused by the onset of pregnancy or menopause. Diabetes mellitus is also accompanied by frequent urination. In men, frequent trips to the toilet in the morning and at night without pain are often associated with an overactive bladder, a late stage of adenoma or an early stage of prostate cancer.

Frequent urination with pain in women

Anatomically, men and women have significant differences, so there are common diseases for both sexes that cause frequent urination and pain, and there are those that are specific to women. The structure of the female genital organs makes it easy for infection to spread, so women are much more likely to get infections of the genitourinary system. They are more likely to get cold, which leads to compensatory increased urination. In addition, they experience such symptoms due to pregnancy, various gynecological diseases: uterine fibroids, prolapse, ovarian pathologies.

Pain and frequent urination in men

Men are less susceptible to cystitis than women, but they suffer from urolithiasis more often. Typical diseases that cause pain and frequent urination in men are prostatitis and adenoma. In addition to unpleasant symptoms and discomfort, these pathologies lead to sexual dysfunction and infertility. Diseases require timely treatment, otherwise the disease progresses, worsening the condition and causing pain.

Diagnostics frequent urination with pain

Diagnosis of pain and frequent urge to urinate begins with examination of the patient, collection of anamnesis. It is important to establish the existence of chronic diseases, whether there were operations, injuries, hereditary pathologies. Laboratory tests are mandatory, instrumental methods are used.

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Tests

For laboratory tests, urine and blood samples are taken - materials for analysis. Laboratory methods include:

• general and biochemical blood analysis;
• enzyme immunoassay of blood (detects substances of protein nature - bacteria, viruses, etc.);
• smear for microflora;
• general urine analysis;
• urine analysis according to Nechiporenko (determines the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes, and cylinders in 1 ml of urine);
• urine culture for bacteria;
• polymerase chain reaction (ultra-sensitive diagnostics of infections, the accuracy of the analysis is 90-95%).

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Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnostics for frequent urination and pain is designed to examine the pelvic organs to identify pathology and more accurately determine the diagnosis. For this, ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, radiography, including contrast, using special contrast agents to obtain a clearer picture of the organ on the image are used.

Differential diagnosis

The task of differential diagnostics is to make an accurate diagnosis with similar symptoms of various diseases, which were discussed above. Thus, with urinary tract infections, leukocytes increase in urine, protein is present, kidney stones or sand are indicated by erythrocytes, increased glucose in urine indicates diabetes, deviations in the biochemical blood test indicate renal failure, etc.

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Treatment frequent urination with pain

Treatment of pain and frequent urge to urinate depends on the diagnosis. The most common cause of such symptoms is infectious inflammation of the urinary tract (cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis) and is eliminated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and immune-boosting agents. For patients with diabetes, it is important to normalize sugar and maintain it in this state. Modern methods of combating adenoma include not only surgical intervention, but also the use of alpha-blockers, which relax the smooth muscles of the bladder neck and prostate gland. This mechanism leads to the unimpeded passage of urine through the prostatic section of the urethra.

Medicines

There are a sufficient number of different drugs on the pharmaceutical market to combat the described pathologies. Every year, new drugs appear that are more sensitive to various microorganisms that cause infection. Fluoroquinol antibiotics are very effective for treating cystitis: nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin.

Furadonin — the active substance is nitrofurantoin, produced in tablets and powders. It is used to treat the urinary system. For children, the daily dose is 5-8 mg / kg and is divided into 4 doses, for adults - 0.1-0.15 g. Possible side effects: nausea, vomiting, headache, asthenia, allergic reaction. Contraindicated for people with renal and heart failure, with cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis, pregnant and lactating women, children under one month.

Treatment of pyelonephritis is carried out using antibiotics, as well as the following drugs: urosulfan, groseptol, bactrim, lidaprim.

Urosulfan is a sulfanilamide drug in tablets or powders. It is prescribed after determining the sensitivity of the microflora that caused the inflammation. Children are prescribed a dose of 1-2.5 g in 5 doses, adults 0.5-1 g up to 5 times a day. The course of treatment is 2 weeks. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the drug. Usually well tolerated by patients.

The following alpha-blockers are used to treat prostatitis in men: alfuzosin, terazosin, silodosin, doxazosin.

Alfuzosin — blocks alpha1 receptors located in the sphincter of the bladder and urethra. Release form — tablets. Taken three times a day, 2.5 mg, for patients over 65 years old 2 times: morning and evening. The maximum daily dose is 10 mg. Contraindicated in severe renal and hepatic dysfunction, increased hypersensitivity. Not used by women. Causes tinnitus, drowsiness, headaches, dry mouth, tachycardia.

For the treatment of chlamydia, drugs are used whose active ingredient is azithromycin: azitral, zitrolide, sumizid, hemomycin; and doxycycline: vibramycin, doxal, medomycin, apodoxy.

Zitrolide is an antimicrobial drug. The capsules are swallowed without chewing an hour before or two hours after meals, washed down with plenty of water. The daily dose of 1 g is taken at one time. There are side effects in the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heart rhythm disturbances, sleep disturbances. Contraindicated in case of sensitivity to the drug, children under 12 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.

Vitamins

One of the treatments for frequent urination and pain is strengthening the immune system. For this purpose, immunocorrective drugs containing vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), C (ascorbic acid), E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) are prescribed. The human diet should include foods containing these elements. Thus, most vitamin B6 is found in nuts, legumes, fish, liver, sweet peppers, chicken. The following foods are rich in vitamin C: rose hips, sweet peppers, sea buckthorn, currants, Brussels sprouts, kiwi, lemons, etc. Vitamin E is the most important component in human life, since it fights free radicals, preventing cell aging. You can replenish the reserves of this vitamin thanks to vegetable oil, especially olive oil, nuts, cottage cheese, beef, buckwheat.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapeutic treatment of frequent urination and pain plays an important role along with medication. If the symptoms are not associated with neoplasms, then electrophoresis with drugs, UHF therapy, which is a kind of massage at the cellular level, improving blood circulation in the pelvic organs, is successfully used. Hydrotherapy with mineral waters, which are drunk, and also taken in medicinal baths and showers, is very effective. Ozokerite - mountain wax is applied to the lumbar region. There are also various other physical procedures that are used according to specific symptoms.

Folk remedies

Traditional treatment of frequent urination and pain involves the use of warm baths with the addition of decoctions of medicinal herbs, various compresses on the abdomen, diuretic and anti-inflammatory herbs. In case of cystitis, a compress of grated fresh onion on the lower abdomen relieves pain and burning during urination. Wrap the gruel in gauze and hold it for several hours daily. It is recommended to drink a glass of water with a spoonful of honey on an empty stomach in the morning. Warm baths with the addition of decoctions of various anti-inflammatory herbs are effective. It is important to relax well and urinate directly into the water. In case of urolithiasis, when a stone is passing, you need to drink a glass of hot mulled wine and take a warm bath. Herbal treatment is effective in combination with other methods of traditional medicine. For internal use, infusions and decoctions of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, diuretic herbs are used. These include pol-pola, bear's ears, corn silk, horsetail, bearberry, and birch leaves.

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Homeopathy

Homeopathy is deservedly used in a complex of therapeutic and preventive measures for frequent urination and pain. One of such means are biologically active additives based on components that normalize kidney and bladder functions, reducing the likelihood of recurrence of the disease. Thus, the dietary supplement "Uroprofit" contains extracts of bearberry, cranberry fruits, horsetail. Adults are recommended to take a capsule 2 times a day for a month. Contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in case of hypersensitivity to the components. Side effects may include allergies.

Canephron N - herbal tablets, contain biologically active substances of antibacterial nature. Taken whole with plenty of water. Daily dose is 6 tablets in 3 doses, starting from the age of 12. Contraindicated for patients with peptic ulcer, heart and kidney failure. Side effects in rare cases looked like skin rash, itching, malaise, nausea.

Adenoma-gran — homeopathic granules, prescribed for prostate adenoma of I-II degree. Take 5 pieces under the tongue once a day until completely dissolved 20 minutes before or after meals. Treatment should be carried out for 2-2.5 months. Side effects and contraindications have not been identified.

Arnica-heel - drops for the treatment of inflammations of bacterial and viral origin, including cystitis, urethritis. The drug is recommended for ages 18 and up. Three times a day, 10 drops under the tongue or in water, holding the solution in the mouth for a few seconds. Contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation, and for children under 18. Allergic reactions have been reported rarely.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment is required for the following neoplasms: large myoma, rupture or torsion of ovarian cysts, advanced stage III prostate adenoma. Depending on the indications, this may be either an open operation or a less invasive laparoscopy. Despite the fact that pyelonephritis is often treated with conservative methods, sometimes there is a need for surgical intervention (purulent pyelonephritis, carbuncle, kidney abscess, etc.). In case of urolithiasis, it is often necessary to resort to surgical intervention.

Complications and consequences

The consequences of frequent urination and pain can be very dire if the pathology is neglected or if the therapy is incorrect. Thus, complications with cystitis develop into pyelonephritis, and bilateral inflammation of the kidneys poses a threat to human life. The consequences of gynecological diseases include bleeding, tissue necrosis with torsion of the uterine or ovarian pedicle, which is fraught with sepsis. Prostate adenoma is dangerous because its long-term course leads to a violation of the outflow of urine, and this is a real threat to the kidneys. Prostatitis is dangerous due to inflammation of the seminal vesicles and tubercle, as well as the occurrence of prostate adenoma.

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Prevention

Frequent urination and pain are very unpleasant symptoms of dangerous pathologies, so it is better to take preventive measures than to suffer and undergo long-term treatment. Such measures include:

• maintaining personal hygiene;
• drink plenty of fluids;
• visiting the toilet on time (do not hold it in when your bladder is full);
• avoiding hypothermia;
• proper nutrition (exclude spicy, sour, carbonated drinks);
• timely visit to the doctor.

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Forecast

The prognosis of each of the above-mentioned diseases depends on the severity of the condition, the patient's immunity, and the correct treatment. Cystitis, treated in time, does not cause complications. If the problem is not taken seriously, the upper sections of the urinary system are affected, which poses a threat to life. Prostate adenoma is not dangerous in the initial stages, but stage III can end fatally.

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