[27M] Experiencing burning sensation during urination

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, here are a few possibilities:

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, but some are caused by viruses and fungi. UTIs are more common in women than in men. They can occur at any age but are more common in older adults. Symptoms can include a burning sensation during urination, a frequent urge to urinate, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and lower back pain.

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

• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI): Certain STIs, like gonorrhea or chlamydia, can cause burning during urination. However, you mentioned that you haven't had any new sexual partners in the past year, which makes this less likely.

  • Treatment for STIs usually involves antibiotics or antiviral medications.

• Prostatitis: This is inflammation of the prostate gland, which can cause discomfort or painful urination, lower back pain, and sometimes flu-like symptoms.

  • Treatment can involve antibiotics, pain relievers, and other therapies.

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

  • Treatment can involve pain relievers, drinking lots of water, and sometimes medical procedures to remove or break up the stones.

What you can do

You should definitely see a healthcare professional about your symptoms. They can perform tests to determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment. In the meantime, here are some things you can do:

1. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. This can help to flush bacteria out of your urinary system.
2. Avoid drinks that might irritate your bladder, like alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks containing citrus juices or caffeine.
3. Use a heating pad on your lower abdomen to minimize bladder pressure and relieve pain.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if:

• Your symptoms worsen or do not improve within a day or two.
• You develop a fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting.
• You notice blood in your urine or your urine becomes cloudy or smells unusually strong.
• You have severe pain in your back or side.

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