For the young women in this forum, this applies too. Burning during and after urination not tied to an infection may simply be tied to muscle spasms in the pelvic floor. You get nerve pain which makes your urinary sphincter tighten, so it's harder to pass urine and painful. The nerves and muscles are closely tied.
It's not available everywhere yet, but in cases where the above mentioned condition is at fault, the most effective treatment is pelvic floor physical therapy. A therapist can teach you to massage these muscles externally and intravaginally such that they relax (again this would be a specialized physical therapist that is trained to work down there). Valium applied locally would also yield a benefit until things are back to normal. In the meantime see if you can palpate the exact point of pain with your finger, apply gentle pressure breathe easily and see if the pain starts to subside when holding pressure there. You can also do a few kegals with your finger there to see where your muscles are and how they work. Then try to do the opposite of a kegal by relaxing.
Relaxation and deep breathing are important as are hamstring stretches. If you live in Korea, get a massage and see if it helps, if not you've got nothing to loose.
Research the literature online for pudendal neuralgia and spastic pelvic floor for more info.
It's not available everywhere yet, but in cases where the above mentioned condition is at fault, the most effective treatment is pelvic floor physical therapy. A therapist can teach you to massage these muscles externally and intravaginally such that they relax (again this would be a specialized physical therapist that is trained to work down there). Valium applied locally would also yield a benefit until things are back to normal. In the meantime see if you can palpate the exact point of pain with your finger, apply gentle pressure breathe easily and see if the pain starts to subside when holding pressure there. You can also do a few kegals with your finger there to see where your muscles are and how they work. Then try to do the opposite of a kegal by relaxing.
Relaxation and deep breathing are important as are hamstring stretches. If you live in Korea, get a massage and see if it helps, if not you've got nothing to loose.
Research the literature online for pudendal neuralgia and spastic pelvic floor for more info.
I know this thread is old, but I too have had the same problems for 7 hard months now. Now that I know what was wrong with me I wanted to share, so anyone else with this condition can consider my cause in their situation. I had horrible UTI pain, but no UTI. The burning, stabbing pain and (what I thought to be unrelated) extreme lower back pain where enough to drive me insane. I've been taking percocet for the low back pain. 4 - 10 mg pills a day to help me get through it. For the UTI pain I've been taking AZO every 1 to 2 days and I was doing water doches with acidophilus in it every night in the shower. Those helped, but nothing stopped it permanently. I too had all of the testing done and the doctor's couldn't find anything. I'm a 37 year old female. I've had many medical issues and surgeries in the past, so I think the obvious answer was being overlooked. One month prior to all of these symptoms starting a clot was found in my portal vein going into my liver. I've been on hormone replacements since my full hysterectomy in 2008. When the clot was found the doctors stopped my hormones. Slowly I started having back pain. That went on a lot longer than the UTI pain. It took about 3 months for that to start. The obvious, but ignored diagnosis is Vaginal Dryness. I'm not talking about the dryness during intimate times with your spouse, though. I mean a deep internal dryness that causes low back pain and all of the UTI symptoms. My insides have lost their moisture and are I guess chapped and damaged. It's not something easily viewable though, so the bladder camera (for get what it is called) didn't see the problem. Nothing "looked" wrong with me. Since I'm not aloud to take my hormone replaced medication I'm now using an over-the-counter cream for this condition. Even if your symptoms don't match mine the product is reasonable in price and worth a try. It does take a week or so to start feeling better, but as much as we've gone through. Any light at the end of the tunnel is worth the effort. I wish everyone the best.
@Robin, have you tried bioidentical hormone replacement therapy...instead of synthetic hormones {i.e. Premarin,Prempro} Also...you probably know this, but if the cream you are using is for estrogen replacement, make sure you also balance it with progesterone...or you may have an even bigger problem. I hope you feel better soon...I have been suffering now with UTI, kidney,bladder & urethral pain for 2+ yrs & it has taken over my life. I have an appt with an endocrinologist March 8th for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy...am now taking painkillers & Ciprofloxacin {although I have no infection} until I can get there. I will let everyone know what my results are...as it may help someone else. I HATE to see people in pain! EVERYONE on this site...please make sure to give us all updates on whatever works for you. We all need to work together as a team to find the answers.
Oh my goodness.... 9 years... I feel like I dont want to live anymore and I have only been suffering with this for 3.5years. I'm so sorry that you are going trough this and for so long.
It is so sad that our lives almost have to be on hold because of this.
I've been to so many doctors and for so many test and nothing... I'm so broke because of it. All my savings spend on finding out what is wrong. It is usually worse at night for me but lately it is taking over my days as well.
The only thing that brings relief is Echinacea root tea and Yarrow but only for short periods.
Why is it that no doctor or specialist can tell us what it is...? But worse... dont seem to care to find out...
I have also not been able to fall pregnant and am now starting to think the two is related... I also get really bad lower back pain at times and a uncomfortable pain it my right shoulder... really wondering if this is all connected...
how do you apply tea tree oil? diluted? directly into the urethra or just the opening? how often? somebody please enlighten me. i've taken all tests, had the interstim implant, had 4 nerve blocks and still burning up alive. been taking up to 9 percocets and 4 different anti-depressants + baclofen to no avail. help! i'm desperate!
I also share these miserable symptoms (they woke me up from a peaceful sleep at 5 AM today)- have spent thousands on medical proceedures/treatments (cystoscopy, laparoscopy), exrays/MRIs/ultrasounds, prescriptions/remedies- nothing has eliminated it, and don't think anything will- I tried the low dose antidepressant to help block pain receptors, (didn't notice a big difference) I gave up soda (which has been difficult but seems to help at times) and the only thing that works for me is drinking LOTS of water (4-6 Liters a day), and strangely I notice my bladder flare ups are almost always associated with irregular/constipated bowels. Weird I know but there has been a correlation found between IBS and IC- who knows, bit it's nice to see I'm not alone!
Can anyone tell my "how" you use the tea tree oil. I have found it to be great for other problems but now sure how to use it for this problem.
I have just recently started having this same problem. I have had many infections over the years but not for a long time and this is very different. Sometimes it also feels as though it is in the vagina too...anyone else feel like this? It really is disruptive and some nights I can't sleep because it "for lack of a better description" aches like crazy after I get up to urinate. Any help would be much appreciated.
I have just recently started having this same problem. I have had many infections over the years but not for a long time and this is very different. Sometimes it also feels as though it is in the vagina too...anyone else feel like this? It really is disruptive and some nights I can't sleep because it "for lack of a better description" aches like crazy after I get up to urinate. Any help would be much appreciated.
Theresa,
I have had urethral syndrome for 10 years now and you're the first person I have 'met' in my shoes. I am thrilled to meet you! In the last 2 years I have developed vulvodynia and am wondering if you have any other issues stemming from the urethral syndrome. I would really love to look at your website. Is there any way it can be shared here? I am in a lot of pain now and quite desperate! Any other tips are greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Jennifer
i have been in terrible pain since the interstim (bladder pacemaker) was installed to help repair my urine retention issues. i had it for more than a year and was catheterized from 2-8 times a day for 11 months because I could not empty my bladder. I eventually turned the interstim off on the 11th month because i noticed that i'm again able to empty my bladder. but the pain remained. i had numerous cystoscopies, bladder scans and tried so many anti-depressants and pain medications. I can take a lot of pain! I've had numerous medical and cosmetic surgeries and i have never been in this much pain. 5-6 percocets a day was not helping, and the interstim was off! it did not make sense. i could tell my urologist (whose supposed to be one of the best in the country) reached a dead end and he finally decided to remove the interstim so i could get an MRI. WHen he removed the interstim, i began to feel the pain was worsening. It did not make sense. All along we thought it was causing the pain.
I had the MRI on Oct 24, 2010. When i asked about the results, he said, everything was negative. Again, another dead end and he has tried everything. So he sent me to Cedars-Sinai Pain center. The only answer I could think of was that he damaged a nerve when he removed the pacemaker. The Urologist was SO SURE it wa not nerve damage but the Pain Center doctor disagreed since the MRI showed "nothing" so she gave me nerve blocks. after 4 nerve blocks, pain still kept getting worse. I've a dozen different medications. I'm in bed till 5 in the afternoon, the rest of the time, I'm burning up alive. MAny times, I thought of killing myself.
Fast Forward 7 months.....
For the past 4 weeks, i have been feeling agonizing pain mostly on the right side, sometimes i feel like i'm gonna give birth. It is so bad that I take up to 10 percocets and 20 advils along with Baclofen, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Ambien and Seroquel in 1 DAY!. My caregiver suggested the possibility that it could be another organ in the area, or that i could have a mass growing inside of me and it's putting pressure on my bladder. And she demanded i went to the hospital so specialists can take turns finding out what's wrong and i don't have to go to 10 different buildings and give my medical history and insurance info 10 times. I informed my urologist of my plan and he discouraged me. instead, he suggested for me to go back and see him which i thought was weird because my understanding was he has exhausted his knowledge already. So then, my caregiver suggested that I see a urogynecologist instead.
Before seeing the urogynecologist, my caregiver called My urologist's office to verify the date of the MRI so she can give a thorough medical history including a timeline of this pain I've been having since 2009. The Medical records personnel faxed her a copy of the FINDINGS instead. and there it was: 1. degeneration in the lower lumbar region, 2. mild edema (swelling) and hyperemia(engorgement caused my increased blood flow) in the right glutteal region of UNCLEAR MEDICAL SIGNIFICANCE, and 3. small RIGHT INGUINAL HERNIA.... NOT ONCE did he mention any of these findings!!!! He said everything was normal and he referred me to the pain center and not a surgeon!!! how he can withhold this kind of information is beyond me. My RN who dated this "World-Class Urologist" defended him, saying that the Urologist probably did not think it was something to be worried about. Who is dumb enough to even say something like that? He is allowed to have hunches But THAT was NOT his call to make. I have been in agony since October 24, almost 8 months now, unnecessarily! He should have referred me to a surgeon or at least a gynecologist, or at least told me what he found, and I could have had it checked immediately. Now it makes sense why he discouraged me from going to the hospital . He wanted to see me first before I checked in. Because if i did and they found the hernia, he'll be in big trouble because he's the head of their Urology Dept.
This is not a misdiagnosis. He was informed I had the edema, hyperemia and hernia in the right side of my body and he CHOSE to deny me this information.
All the symptoms I have make sense now. And I KNOW that it has gotten worse over 8 months. I am disgusted and worried that It has affected my bladder because of the pain, my intestines because I've been constipated for the longest time, and my reproductive organs because I feel like I'm giving birth.
I hope none of you go through this. Please Rule out hernia. Feel your body for lumps or bulges no matter how small, and know this: bulges disappear when you're lying down, so have your physician check you standing up.
I had the MRI on Oct 24, 2010. When i asked about the results, he said, everything was negative. Again, another dead end and he has tried everything. So he sent me to Cedars-Sinai Pain center. The only answer I could think of was that he damaged a nerve when he removed the pacemaker. The Urologist was SO SURE it wa not nerve damage but the Pain Center doctor disagreed since the MRI showed "nothing" so she gave me nerve blocks. after 4 nerve blocks, pain still kept getting worse. I've a dozen different medications. I'm in bed till 5 in the afternoon, the rest of the time, I'm burning up alive. MAny times, I thought of killing myself.
Fast Forward 7 months.....
For the past 4 weeks, i have been feeling agonizing pain mostly on the right side, sometimes i feel like i'm gonna give birth. It is so bad that I take up to 10 percocets and 20 advils along with Baclofen, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Ambien and Seroquel in 1 DAY!. My caregiver suggested the possibility that it could be another organ in the area, or that i could have a mass growing inside of me and it's putting pressure on my bladder. And she demanded i went to the hospital so specialists can take turns finding out what's wrong and i don't have to go to 10 different buildings and give my medical history and insurance info 10 times. I informed my urologist of my plan and he discouraged me. instead, he suggested for me to go back and see him which i thought was weird because my understanding was he has exhausted his knowledge already. So then, my caregiver suggested that I see a urogynecologist instead.
Before seeing the urogynecologist, my caregiver called My urologist's office to verify the date of the MRI so she can give a thorough medical history including a timeline of this pain I've been having since 2009. The Medical records personnel faxed her a copy of the FINDINGS instead. and there it was: 1. degeneration in the lower lumbar region, 2. mild edema (swelling) and hyperemia(engorgement caused my increased blood flow) in the right glutteal region of UNCLEAR MEDICAL SIGNIFICANCE, and 3. small RIGHT INGUINAL HERNIA.... NOT ONCE did he mention any of these findings!!!! He said everything was normal and he referred me to the pain center and not a surgeon!!! how he can withhold this kind of information is beyond me. My RN who dated this "World-Class Urologist" defended him, saying that the Urologist probably did not think it was something to be worried about. Who is dumb enough to even say something like that? He is allowed to have hunches But THAT was NOT his call to make. I have been in agony since October 24, almost 8 months now, unnecessarily! He should have referred me to a surgeon or at least a gynecologist, or at least told me what he found, and I could have had it checked immediately. Now it makes sense why he discouraged me from going to the hospital . He wanted to see me first before I checked in. Because if i did and they found the hernia, he'll be in big trouble because he's the head of their Urology Dept.
This is not a misdiagnosis. He was informed I had the edema, hyperemia and hernia in the right side of my body and he CHOSE to deny me this information.
All the symptoms I have make sense now. And I KNOW that it has gotten worse over 8 months. I am disgusted and worried that It has affected my bladder because of the pain, my intestines because I've been constipated for the longest time, and my reproductive organs because I feel like I'm giving birth.
I hope none of you go through this. Please Rule out hernia. Feel your body for lumps or bulges no matter how small, and know this: bulges disappear when you're lying down, so have your physician check you standing up.
I have the answer! After 2+ yrs of absolute agony, I went to a doctor & he put me on bio-identical hormones. NOT SYNTHETIC HORMONES. I no longer have ANY UTI's-after having one every 6 weeks for yrs! I was taking Ciprofloxacin & painkillers around the clock. I have not had a single UTI since February & not even the slightest sign of pain that used to be non-stop. OK LADIES! I have found THE answer for us! A while back I posted that for several years I have been suffering from chronic UTI's, been on the antibiotic track every 6th week...severe pain, burning, abdominal cramping, frequency of urination that was controlling my life! Well...I went to a new doctor who put me on BIOIDENTICAL HORMONES {which are not to be confused with synthetic hormones!!!!} and I haven't had a single UTI now-even a single trace of one-in 5 months!!!!!!! AND, do not think hormones are for older women! Women are getting hormone replacement now in their 20's & it is helping them immensely! The catch is this: Most doctors don't know much at all about bioidenticals even if they say they do. You need to research it on the internet first-seek an endocrinologist if you can-they specialize. ALSO & THIS IS ULTRA IMPORTANT-read the book "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers. On page 22-Dr. Jonathon Wright from Harvard University states this about antibiotics: "ninety percent of the time we can get rid of them with no drugs at all." He talks about a natural item we can take called D-Mannose-found in health stores-which attracts the E-Coli bacteria as it goes down into the bladder & washes it totally out of the body. He says that if taken around the clock {3-5 grams} every 3-4 hrs. for up to 2 days. He says most of the time no ab's are needed at all. The reason he says women are uninformed of this is that the pharmaceutical companies make a fortune from ab's & cannot patent sugar-so they would lose a ton of money on those of us who buy antibiotics all the time!!!!! Please try 1 of these 2 ideas & pass along to your friends. THIS HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!
I am a 29 year old female. I don't think my symptoms are as severe as many of yours but they do sound similar. For about six months I have been having involuntary spasms of my urethra throughout my day. It's as if my urethra is trying to urinate but has nothing to urinate out. This symptom I doesn't really bother me too much. What really bothers me is the pain and discomfort I feel during intercourse. The pressure of my boyfriends penis on my urethra is so uncomfortable I can't enjoy sex at all. I've gone to the doctor's several times. They tested me for a UTI, which came back negative. Then they thought I had overactive bladder and gave me medicine for that, which I took for 2 months and did not help my symptoms at all. They then tested the pressure of my urethra and bladder and looked inside my urethra and bladder with a camera. The only thing they could tell me was that I have a very sensitive urethra. I was sent home by the male doctor with the instruction to do kegel excercises 10 times every hour and to focus on relaxing my urethra. Not surprisingly my male doctor could not tell me how I am to know when my urethra is relaxed. I'm having a hard time knowing how to relax my urethra too. The kegel excercises are not helping. I am looking now to my diet to see if there is anything I am eating that is irritating my urethra. I've cut out dairy and this has seemed to lessen my spasms and a little bit of my discomfort during sex but has not completely fixed my problem. Next is cutting out alcohol :( I'll post after my three weeks of no alcohol.
I had this same problem and was tested but all the tests come back negative for all STDs and the thought of infection is just that an idea the doctor followed. I was treated for Trich even tho i didnt show for having it and my urethra stopped hurting and i had no pain, I was infected by trich multipul times and each time the tests were negative but the medication helped to end my pain again, doctors think they know everything but they are just guessing to their best knowledge, sometimes you have to be more self aware of your health and be a active participant in making yourself better just as much as its your doctors job, get online, do research and lastly be forceful with your doctor, they are working for you not the other way around and dont let them push you around if they do find a doctor who is more interested in your health care and not their own ego. Good luck to you all I know the pain is unbearable at times but be strong and you will make it through.. Pain will end.
I have suffered for 12 of random urethra pain. I have tried most of these remedies with no help. i haven't tried estro. therapy as I am male. But if I find treat ment, i'll let you know. Remember, everyone, you are not alone.
Well, once again my urethal pain has awoken me from sleep. I have read all the threads and at my wits end. After two cystoscopies, and CT Scan of the Abdomen and Pelvis, I have been unable to find a dr to help me with my pain. I am going to try the tea leave oil. Have just recently started using the Vivelle Estrogen Patch for hot flashes as well as Progestrone Tricho-which is all bioidentical hormone therapy. Please help....
To Man In Pain: Men also suffer from what is called Andropause. Women have Menopause. A good Endocrinologist who has studied bioidentical hormone therapy may be a Godsend for you as well. Many insurances will cover everything but the meds.