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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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  • whitneyisawesom
    whitneyisawesom PetalP

    Posted

    I am so sorry this has happened to you! I dont think doctors understand how uncomfortable and how much things like this affect our lives!

    I wanted to state thank you also for sharing, I don't feel alone knowing there are other people having the same issues. It is great having a place where things like this can be discussed.

    I wanted to share that after reading what was written here, it did occur to me that maybe toilet paper is the issue. I notice the burning ONLY after I've been to the bathroom, and it happens mostly in the evening (when I'm more likely to use the restroom). I also noticed that on one of my dr visits, he looked in my vagina, and to do so, he put lube on his fingers. I forgot about this after the examination, I went to go get some lunch and then I remembered the lube in that area. I could feel it going down my body covering my skin, and as it did so, it made me feel better. This led me to believe that it has to be something on my skin that is causing this! The other thing was, was that when I used the bathroom, my backside hurt, because I was also using the T.P. there to wipe!!

    I have an appt in a few days for a urologist, I will update with what works when/if I find something. Remembering all this, I put a little KY jelly on myself down there and I feel a bit better, but not 100%. I will be changing my T.P. and seeing how that helps. I just wanted to share and hope this helps!!

    • piper09297
      piper09297 whitneyisawesom

      Posted

      oh my gosh! I think we need to start a protest! we need to protest and petition toilet paper companies to stop using recycled materials and chemicals in their products! I thought I was rid of the burning until i bought another roll of the same brand that I got relief from, only to find the texture different and the burning has now returned! No Dr ever helped me with this, as no one could find the cause. I googled for 'Virgin toilet paper' with no recycled materials (how can one, in good conscious recycle garbage and sell it back to us?!) and no chemicals/poisons, and found a brand that uses bamboo..not recycled. I ordered it and am awaiting for it...Until then, I am using a damp washcloth here at home. This is awful! Thank you for the K.Y. Jelly suggestion! I have tried Coconut Oil, Tea Tree Oil (diluted with a carrier oil) and everything in between for relief...but now i will go get some K.Y. jelly for at least partial relief until the bamboo toilet paper comes.. Thank you!
  • aimee88073
    aimee88073 PetalP

    Posted

    I have had this uncomfort for a few months now. It is a constant discomfort in my bladder/uretha. It always feels like I need the toilet, but sometimes a few drops. it's the worst at work or at night. I have been tested for multiple uti's / std's and nothing sad could it be possible a scan would pick up something? I so desperately want to fix watever is causing this, I feel like I don't want to leave my bed it's really affecting my life.
    • lynne69494
      lynne69494 aimee88073

      Posted

      Check out intersticiail cystitus, which can cause simular symptoms with no tests for uti showing it up, despite frequency and burning stingin soreness in urethra bladder, sometimes wth pelvice pain, and generally being unwell,, ony diagnosed by scope with urologist. There is a lot of info advice on. c.o.b site with support, hope it will help you.  good luck. 
    • aimee88073
      aimee88073 lynne69494

      Posted

      Thank you I'm going back to the doctors Friday because I'm going on holiday Saturday and I'm dreading it sad I have no burning or soreness, just an uncomftable urge to pee. Il look into this thank you x
  • anon4567
    anon4567 PetalP

    Posted

    I know exactly what you are going through and the same thing happens to me everyday. I went from doctor to doctor and i found out what I have is called interstitial cystitis. It is a permanent condition and has all the qualities of a uti without the bacteria. There is no cure as far as i know but if you do some research there are multiple differnt things to do that can make life more bearable. (And things like sex and utis, and periods make it worse.)
  • joyce06724
    joyce06724 PetalP

    Posted

    I began to get discomfort about 3 months ago first of all I thought it was lichen sclerosis which I have but soon realised it was more around my uretha. Felt like slight burning in that area which comes and goes did a urine test which was clear then sent to urologist who had a look and suggested a routine ultra sound of kidneys and bladder and a cystoscopy as he thinks my uretha may need stretching! I've had the scan all seemed OK and got pre op today for cystoscopy. Basically I can go long periods of the day relatively free from symptoms then this dry burning feeling and ache in my clitoral region kick in spasmodically. It's not agony but I'm just aware of it all the time. Not sure if it's allergic although been using same toilet paper for years or dietary. I'm beginning to believe it's something I'm using or eating as it sometimes dies down for a while then comes back. I guess the cystoscopy will show if there's any damage, not sure the stretching is a good idea as bladder fine. Anyone else had similar?
  • Snoozin
    Snoozin PetalP

    Posted

    Just came across this thread today....I used to get multiple uti's - one after the other almost....and my wise new MD put me on 500 mg of vitamin C nightly.  As long as I don't forget it, I am virtually uti-free .  But I DO still need to get up & urinate after sex, to be extra sure I don't get a uti....which is the reason I'm sure I currently have one...and that leads me to why I came across this site....

    I was initially looking for  ANYONE who experiences that uti "burning" as NOT actually a burning, or even painful.  I experience it as almost an electrical current that starts in my urethra and spreads out to my entire body, right to my fingertips.  It's intense but not sexual in nature and it actually feels good...other than it can get old if I don't treat the uti within a couple of days.

    Anyone?  Am I just weird?  haha.

    Try the vitamin C - better than using even the small dose of antibiotics.  It makes the bladder and urethra more acidic (obviously) and inhospitable to nasty bacteria.

    • lorna83532
      lorna83532 Snoozin

      Posted

      Hi. I get those same feelings. Mostly at night and always if i try laying in my side. I get this electrical feeling and then it gets painful and doesn't go away until i get up and try to urinate. I go to lie down again on my side and it happens again even though i have just urinated. I have gone to a urologist and had a bladdy study done. They used a catheter to get some urine and it hurt like crazy to insert the catheter. I now take urogesic blue but it doesn't help. They dont know whats going on with me. Don't get much sleep either. Going to the bathroom all the time.

  • erica27186
    erica27186 PetalP

    Posted

    You should have your pelvic floor evaluated. My symptoms started as this: a constant negging feeling in the urethra, but they changed over time. I now know it's related to my pudendal nerve and pelvic floor dysfunction.

    • lynne69494
      lynne69494 erica27186

      Posted

      l started with frequency soreness and heat in pubic stomach urethra regions, along with it chronic severe lower back pain, genarally never as fit and healthy as prior to start of it, before that l,d been a healthy active person, who could walk miles, climb run jump, but from having my 2nd csection the problems started immediately, l woke from op with intense pain and catheter in, also had bacerterial cystitus, slow in being treated with anti bs, being dismissed as post op, 

      So the symptoms thereafter remained, along with heavy loss, bouts of aneamia, thrush, this went on for years, but eventually a urologists and scope diagnosed intersticial cystitus, and prescribed cimetidine and amitriip, l did slowly improve with less frequency and pain not as intense, with improvement with general health, thouigh never as healthy and fit thereafter, but improved.  Though the bouts of nagging pain in lower back hips tracking under the butt and top of legs went on, sometimes restless jumpy legs with it. lve never been given a reason for it, did have lower back xray and told some where and tear, bit of calcificatioin, l did have bout of sciatica, so did wonder if there was some nerve damage. 

      lve read a little on here about the pudental nerve, but dont know much about it, So how did you find out it ws your pudental nerve, how is it diagnosed, what are symptoms, is it due to damage, wear and tear, is there any way of improving symptoms. l did look it up online but its very complex,  Can you tell us a little more.

    • erica27186
      erica27186 lynne69494

      Posted

      The symptoms seem to vary and can be located in the butt region or genital region or both. Most people describe shooting pain and acheing type pain. In general, if you have vulvodynia, persistent gential arousal disorder or IC I would recommend having the pelvic floor examined.

      My symptoms:

      For me, I was having weird nerve sensations in other parts of my body along with the urethra burning. For about 2 months I saw gynos and urologists with no real answers. My symptoms spread to the vulva region and I ended up not with pain, but with a persistent arousal. I looked for doctors with a speciality in pgad and pudendal nerve issues and they can be difficult to find. This is important, because I had probably about 8 different pelvic exams before this was found.

      The Exam:

      I went to an orthropedics doctor that specializes in women's pain, particularly pudendal nerve. She pressed on the outside and inside of the pelvis and lower back. The majority of places were actually fine for me. It was when she did the internal work that I noticed. Some areas were totally normal; it just felt like a bit of pressure and then she found areas that made me jump and experience pain. I was very surprised. She explained that my tight pelvic floor was causing spasms along my pudendal nerve. I'm starting physical therapy and volume suppositories along with my gabapetin. This exam really did illuminate the pudendal nerves for me. It helped to have an expert looking for it. 

    • erica27186
      erica27186

      Posted

      If you do get this diagnosis; it's equally important to see a pt that knows about your specific issues (like IC and pudendal nerve). For me it's pgad and pudendal nerve. A pelvic floor pt that treats incontinence issues and after birth care won't cut it. 

    • lynne69494
      lynne69494 erica27186

      Posted

      Thanks for info, agree it makes all the difference to have experts for diagnoses if its something even just a bit unusual, l had ic symtpoms for years, saw quite a few gps who didnt come close, re its was gyny hormoneal,  phycalogical, later after diagnoses l realised how typical the symptoms were of ic, allthough not common, l in 600 est, its hardly rare as diseases go. Once getting right expert urologist, took just 5min on him doing scope and seeing it, confirming with biop. so many wait so long due to gps not having knowledge and not getting specialists who do. Means a lot getting diagnoses asap. 
  • uk2016
    uk2016 PetalP

    Posted

    Personal Hygiene is very important to what my wife has gone through without it has very strong urine odour too. Had lots of Cranberries, Antibiotics, Gynae., etc. nothing helped. But i strongly believe as you have mentioned one of the example as Toilet paper. Other is washing before taking shower, sex and after shower too. Sitting on Bathtub or Stool which needs to be cleaned. Changing to clean panties after coming from work or be changed in 8 hours. Again, no matter what you take or do personal hygiene including toilet paper plays a role.  Good bacteria is killed by overdoing too. Also detox can help to some extent. These are just my beliefs. Using Cranberries in long run can cause acidity and using antibiotics and cronic UTI can lead to Kidney infection if Hygiene is not taken into consideration to eliminate the possibilty. 
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