You have a burning sensation in your urethra and it’s painful to urinate. The first thing that might pop into your mind is that you have a sexually transmitted disease. But if you pay attention to your symptoms and talk to your medical provider, it may be a nasty urinary tract infection or UTI. The infection is caused when bacteria get into your urethra and bladder.
Recognize These Symptoms
The most common symptoms are urinating frequently, the need to empty your bladder, pain in your abdomen, and possibly blood in your urine. An infection that affects your kidneys would include pain in your back, fever, and chills. When these symptoms occur, it is best to talk to your medical provider and get a urinalysis completed. A swab on the urethra can be taken to rule out other diseases. It is important to know what is causing the infection so that the doctor can treat it properly.
Prevent Complications: See Your Doctor
A 2020 article on men’s urinary tract infections published on Medscape declared: “As a general rule, all urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men are considered complicated. Therefore, the possibility that infection has ascended to the kidneys must be considered, and treatment regimens must assume that infection of the upper urinary tract has occurred.”
Can You Have Sex with a UTI?
While a UTI is not contagious, having sex can push the bacteria back into your urinary tract system. You want to get over your infection, so a delay in your sex life may be necessary. If you do want to have relations, it is recommended that you make sure your genital area is clean, urinate before and after sex, drink plenty of water, and use a condom. You should both wash your hands well before and after sex.
