• Urethritis is inflammation or infection of the urethra. The urethra is the portion of the urinary tract which drains the bladder.
• Cystitis is inflammation or infection of the bladder.
• Pylelonephritis is inflammation or infection of the kidneys.

Urethritis is uncommon. Women with urethritis often have a Gonorrhea or Chlamyda infection of their cervix. These women will have persistant burning or pain with urination despite being treated for a bladder infection. The typical antibiotics used to treat the standard bladder infection do not work against Gonorrhea or Chlamydia and these women need to be tested specifically for those infections of their urethra. Thus a women's bladder irritation symptoms need to be differentiated from vaginal irritation symptoms . In particular a history of a new sexual partner may put someone at increased risk for urethritis.

The diagnosis of Cystitis or bladder infection usually can be made based on the symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, pain with urination, and nocturia (getting up more than 2 times from bed at night to urinate). On examination usually the women will have pain when her bladder is gently compressed during a pelvic exam. A urine analysis for white blood cells and red blood cells will indicate infection or inflammation. A routine culture is not necessary prior to treatment with antibiotics unless recurrent infections, debilitating disease or the woman is currently receiving treatment for another infecton. The antibiotic treatment regimens vary from 3 days to 7-10 days. Patients who have recurrent cystitis are candidates for daily medications to supress infection or postcoital prophylaxis antibiotics (taken after sexual intercourse to prevent infection).

Pyelonephritis is a serious infection which may also cause fever, shaking chills, nausea,vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms of cystitis may be present as well. Women with kidney infections typically experience pain in the middle back region when touched. This infection, if untreated, can lead to respiratory problems, bacteria in the blood stream, or preterm labor.

Under normal circumstances bacteria placed in the bladder are rapidly cleared from the flushing and dilutional effects of urinating and the antibacteria properties of the acidic urine. Unfortunately certain conditions make some of us more likely to get infections.

Due to the proximity of the urethra to the anus, its short length, and its location beneath the labia, women are more likely to get urinary tract infections than men. Pregnancy, obstruction (by stones, enlarged prostrate, or narrowing of the urethra), abnormal nerve supply to the bladder, chronic illness, or those on immunosuppressive therapy are more likely to get an infection.

In most people treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections results in a complete recovery. To prevent infections some may benefit from long-term use of low-dose antibiotics daily or after intercourse. If this is not effective then evaluation by a kidney and bladder specialist/ a Urologist would be the next step.


Adapted from an article in Family Digest magazine. Copyright 1999. All Rights Reserved. Subscribe to Family Digest magazine today!