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Painful Urination

Diagnosis & Tests

How is the condition diagnosed?

Diagnosing the cause of painful urination depends on the symptoms. A medical history and a history of activity, trauma, or illness may help in diagnosing the cause of the pain. The healthcare provider will want to know when the pain occurs during urination. This may help pinpoint a diagnosis. A thorough physical exam may be necessary. Urine tests, such as a urinalysis and a urine culture, may be necessary to check for infection. Blood tests may be ordered if an infection is suspected throughout the body.

Several other tests that may be done include the following:

an ultrasound of the kidney and bladder, which uses sound waves to look for abnormalities

a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), which shows the urethra and bladder while the bladder fills and empties. A liquid is put into the bladder through a catheter or tube inserted through the urethra. An x-ray shows the liquid traveling through the bladder and urethra. This test can reveal abnormalities of the inside of the urethra and bladder. It can also tell if any urine is traveling the wrong direction up the urinary tract.

an intravenous pyelogram, which allows the doctor to examine the whole urinary tract. A liquid is injected through a tube inserted into a vein. Then x-rays are taken as the liquid flows through the urinary tract. This test may reveal obstructions.

a nuclear scan, which uses radioactive materials injected into a vein. An image is made that shows how well the kidneys work, how the kidneys are shaped, and how urine drains from the kidneys.

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