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Painful Burning Sensation In Urethra - No Uti Or Std - Female

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PetalP
PetalP

I am a 21 year old female in the UK, and I have been suffering with a painful burning sensation which I believe to be coming from my urethra since September 2014. The pain comes and goes throughout the day, and it will be at its most intense after having urinated, and after sex. At its worst I struggle to walk. The need to urinate has increased but there is no difficulty in going, though I do now most often have two streams when urinating which sometimes will stop and start. On multiple occasions there has also been thick blood in my urine too. 

No UTIs have ever shown up on the paper dip test at my local GPs, though I have had UTIs in the past. I have tested negative to all STDs. I have had ultrasound scans which have shown nothing abnormal. I have had numerous internal examinations by doctors and one by a Gynaecologist, all have said everything looks normal and healthy.  

My GP has had me try at least 6 different types of antibiotics but none have had any effect on me, except for Cefalexin which I took once a day for 28 days, the pain felt lifted and sex was possible again, but 3-4 days after having finished my course I was back to how I was before them.   

I drink plenty of fluids (including cranberry juice) and eat healthy, I don't drink alcohol, smoke, or take drugs. All pain killers have very little effect on the pain, only a hot water bottle sat between my thighs brings any relief. Taking cranberry capsules, and/or cystitis relief sachets has had no effect. 

I am about ready to give up on my local GP, its doctors and the NHS, no matter how many appointments I make and attend no progress is ever made, no tests are ever taken and my request to be referred to a Urologist has been repeatedly turned down, I am only ever told to drink more water and to try a new antibiotic, which I pay for each time, no one seems willing to search and to find out what is causing the pain. Affording to go private is a problem for me though, and so I just hope there is someone out there who can relate to me and give me guidance/knowledge on what to do.  

This pain is now negatively affecting all aspects of my life. 

7 likes, 238 replies

238 Replies

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  • PetalP
    PetalP

    Posted

    UPDATE!!

    After finally being referred to an Urologist and having had a Cystoscopy performed, I have been diagnosed as having Painful Bladder Syndrome, also known as Interstitial Cystitis. 

    I’m finding a change in my diet (tomatoes/tomato based foods trigger an excruciating pain for me, likewise with alcohol and cheese) to be the greatest relief. I still experience random “flares”, but I can now go days without any pain if I watch my diet.

    My advice:

    - Keep a food/drink diary, you may be able to pin point if certain foods/drinks are playing a part.

    - Keep pushing to see an Urologist, only they can allow a Cystoscopy to happen, and only a Cystoscopy can determine if you have Painful Bladder Syndrome. 

      

    • leigh49
      leigh49 PetalP

      Posted

      Just realized my info was late glad you found a cure I should have noticed the date but in a hurry and went on and on thanks for sharing it makes me feel less alone and nutty leigh
  • Isym
    Isym PetalP

    Posted

    Hi, I'v been having the constant burning pain in the end of my urethra, waking up in the night to pee and not being able to get back to sleep, for 2 months now. 

    It started with the worst UTI of my life in early January, I went on 4 courses of anti biotics, then a low does nitrofurantonin at night which for the last 2 weeks had given me nearly all releif from the pain/irritation/sensitivity. 

    Last night I went out and had lots of drinks at a ball, as soon as i woke up this morning I could feel it coming back. I had sex with my boyfriend last night as well. 

    I am currently in the middle of sitting my final med exams and am so exacerberated not being able to sleep, too tired to study, with an exam in the monring. 

    I'm upset having studied medicine, including gynaecology, that this was never mentioned as I feel like there is no treatment for it. 

    Its 4am, I just wish when i got that first UTI back in jan, I had gotten up to pee after i had sex. feels like the worst mistake of my life. and these dam exams, how am i going to do well with no sleep? then sleeping in the day when im ment to be in hospital or studing.

    D-mannose? thinking of ordering it online tonight 

    • evelyn39594
      evelyn39594 Isym

      Posted

      Drink lots of water and ask your dr. if you can take phenazopyridine.It might have another name in the states. Not sure but it could be called Azo in the states.If you live in the states you can buy it over the counter but in Canada you need a compounding pharmacy to make it for you. It works very well for me when I have those symptoms ,I take it for a day or two and the burning stops almost after a few hours. It makes your urine a bright orange colour and can stain your panties so just wear a small liner in your pants. you must drink a lot of water  with it. Hope this helps .I know how debilitating this can be.- it has been a miracle for me. It is not a cure but just helps with the burning symptoms.
    • piper09297
      piper09297 Isym

      Posted

      see my resonse to Torri83305.... I bet you have the same thing! 

      Change toilet paper!!!  Run, dont walk to either Walgreen's for a generic roll of 'Big Roll' or run to the health food store and get some chemical-free toilet paper and other feminine pad/tampons...dont suffer for 20+ years like i did. I was a 'Scotts' t.p. user for all the time my vagina was on fire.  I feel like suing that company.  In fact, because they do not list the chemicals on the packaging, i just might.

  • jacqui6389
    jacqui6389 PetalP

    Posted

    Hi everyone. Felt like I had wrote that myself. Suffered often with utis all my life. 29 years old now. This started September 2015. Ate and Indian....had sex.....boom next day uti. Went away with anti bi.....2 days later returned....6 anti bi later....still a constant burning. ..that's it....burning......all the time.....all day all night. Went on many pills... amytriptaline naproxin etc. No avail. Went natural ie aloe Vera juice etc. But better. Went private to see urology and gyno so I have my cystoscopy 6th April. Terrified of results. Yes I've tried everything. No bacteria. No sti. I'm totally organic (like I make my own frickin toothpaste and everything lol) non acid foods bla bla bla. No allergies. Oh now I'm on gabapentin. (Nerve pain meds) Seems to kick in in evening for a few hours relief. Bad medication to be on those the side affects are nasty. But no choice. And I'm on the sick from work cause I just can't do it. No sex with fiance either. No social life. Spending Time with my son is draining for me. Sleepless nites. My life is destroyed to be honest. Bad temper on me coz I'm in so much pain. Oh and it definitely gets worse coming up to period and during...sooooooooo.... hormonal? Nerve damage? Pbs? Ic? Who knows. Kill me now
    • Lynda041564
      Lynda041564 jacqui6389

      Posted

      Sounds like nerve damage to me, i take 900mg of gabapetin seems keep my level down 4 on certain days, there are definitely fare ups. Look into pudendal neuralgia, there's a support page through fb. With a lot of people. I've been suffering for 11 months. Pretty close to your symptoms. Good luck
    • evelyn39594
      evelyn39594 jacqui6389

      Posted

      Ask your dr. about phenazopyridine. It stops the burning   a few  hours after taking it. always drink a lot of water. The medication turns your urine orange while you are taking it but it really helps.
    • lynne69494
      lynne69494 jacqui6389

      Posted

      hi, You could check out symptoms of intersticial cystitus, on her or c.o.b site who specialise in bladder probs. i.c. does cause severe burning and rawness at times but doesnt show up in urine samples, It truly can cause severe intense pain and make you feel ill, and bad tempered, it would show up with cystascope, thats the only way its diagnosed, Worth having a read up on see if it fits symptoms, Good job you went private just a week to scope which should help bring a diagnoses, good luck
    • piper09297
      piper09297 jacqui6389

      Posted

      you say you use organic everything...does that include pantiliners, feminine pads/tampons and toilet paper? maybe it's not about being 'allergic' to paper products with chemicals, but rather that we are being poisoned by them! This sounds exactly like I was having...honest to God! For more than 25 years...then I changed my normal brand of 'toilet paper' and it went away instantly...before you try to endure this for any more length of time, please, try a different brand of t.p.; one without bleach, dyes, chemicals or wood pulp...heck, there is even a website where people make their own... also, are you using condoms? perhaps it is the latex/rubber material that is doing the burning.  God bless you
    • piper09297
      piper09297 jacqui6389

      Posted

      i cant stress this enough....in fact, i copied this from a website...so ok, you may not be 'allergic' to t.p, but at least read this article:

       It may be surprising, but skin irritation of the anus and vulva can be the result of contact dermatitis due to an allergic reaction to toilet paper dyes, fragrances and additives. Many toilet papers contain formaldehyde as well as reactive ingredients that help to give toilet paper characteristics that people value, such as increased thickness and absorbency.  Toilet paper that is thick, absorptive, strong, bleached and expensive is likely to contain formaldehyde. Certain toilet papers may also contain aloe or lotion, alcohol, phosphate, chlorine, peroxides, perfumes, dyes and anti-bacterial properties.  All of these additives can cause an allergic reaction resulting in skin irritation, including itching of your anus and/or vulva.

      Once you have determined your skin irritation is being caused by an allergic reaction to your toilet paper, treatment with topical steroids will help to reduce the irritation.  You should also discontinue using the brand of toilet paper that is causing your skin irritation.  You may need to try different brands of toilet paper to determine which ones are irritating your skin. Unscented, thinner, cheaper and more greyish looking toilet papers are less likely to contain additives, so look for these if you find that you have skin irritation after using toilet paper.  If you start using less processed toilet papers, the embarrassing skin irritation should ease. 

    • lynne69494
      lynne69494 piper09297

      Posted

      Thats interesting, l started with allergic rhinitus many years ago, l had move to a house at side of busy road, from hilltop village, and knew symptoms were worse when in garden at front, got nasal spray from doc that helped, moved away and didnt need the spray, then years later moved back near busy road, symptoms back, then had a house done up and noticed symptoms brought on by plaster and cement dust, also soot, some detergents and toiletries, also a few skin probs not bad. The doc had told me that when you get one allergy its like opening a window for others to come in.  l read up on allergies, immunity, and it seemed for me the main chemical in the things l were allergic to was formaldehyde, sometimes known as formalin, l had heard of it but thought it was for one specialist reason, used in health preservatives, but read it is in many things, and is quite risky for those that work with producing items. l think it is in part diluted in production, but still enough to make some people allergic, if prone to allergies more like l guess, but ld never thought of it being in those sort of toilet products. l will keep that in mind next time l buy it.  info always appreciated.
    • lynne69494
      lynne69494

      Posted

      ps l mentioned to gp l thought one of my allergens was formalin, she replied, oh lve never heard of that, duh, how can a doctor not have heard of it, stange.
    • jacqui6389
      jacqui6389 piper09297

      Posted

      Hi piper. Ive just found feminine products online. I had just been using normal pads. (Obviously no tampons anymore too painful ) i use pure organic natural soap...toothpaste....homemade wash etc. The only thing is the pads etc. See I use all different brands of toilet roll...I got the best i could see last time....it's so hard to find stuff like that here ..and I have been so bad before I moved into mums for ages and she has a different brand again. But I promise in gona try it ...I'll make my own today....I'm so against everything now....c.there's chemicals in EVERYTHING... disgusting. Thanks piper
    • jacqui6389
      jacqui6389

      Posted

      Ps no condoms. No contraception. Infact no sex with fiance too sore 😢
    • jacqui6389
      jacqui6389 lynne69494

      Posted

      Lynn

      doctors....pffft.....last people i turn to...they don't care....they've laughed at me....laughed!!!!!! Condescending prats. And they know nothing (Sorry had to vent)

    • lynne69494
      lynne69494 jacqui6389

      Posted

      Heard it all before, said simular myself, and vented to the max. 

      Just had pm from a poster who,s having an endless battle to stop being fobbed off by medics and get diagnoses.  She might be posting later,

      So l understand anyone needing to vent have a rant. 

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