[21F] Experiencing lower back pain and urinary symptoms

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is an infection that affects any part of your urinary system, which includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. UTIs are often caused by bacteria, but they can also be caused by viruses and fungi. Your symptoms of lower back pain, painful urination, and difficulty urinating could be due to a UTI.

  • Treatment typically involves antibiotics to clear the infection. Drinking plenty of water can help to flush bacteria out of your urinary system.

• Kidney Stones: These are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Kidney stones can cause severe pain in your back or side, and can also cause painful urination.

  • Treatment can range from pain relievers and drinking lots of water to pass the stone, to medical procedures to remove or break up larger stones.

• Vaginal Yeast Infection: This is a fungal infection that causes irritation, discharge and intense itchiness in the vagina and the vulva — the tissues at the vaginal opening. Your symptom of vaginal itching could be due to a yeast infection.

  • Treatment typically involves antifungal medication, which can be either a cream or a pill.

What you can do

1. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms. They may want to perform some tests to confirm a diagnosis, such as a urine test or a vaginal swab test.
2. In the meantime, drink plenty of water to help flush out your urinary system.
3. Avoid any potential irritants to your vaginal area, such as scented soaps or bubble baths.
4. Over-the-counter treatments are available for yeast infections, but it's best to confirm the diagnosis with your healthcare provider before starting any new medications.

What you should look out for

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:

• Severe pain in your back or side that won't go away
• Blood in your urine
• Fever and chills
• Vomiting
• Discharge from your vagina that has a strong, unpleasant odor

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm not a doctor and this advice should not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.