Symptoms of Urology Problems

Urology is a medical discipline focusing on conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. It is a surgical specialty. Urologists diagnose and treat various conditions that affect the urinary tract, kidneys, bladder, ureters, and male reproductive organs. They also specialize in treating certain diseases, such as prostate cancer.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Many conditions can make you more likely to develop a urinary tract infection. For example, diabetes, a bladder infection, kidney stones, a spinal cord injury, and an enlarged prostate can increase your risk for a UTI.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria displaced from the rectum to the urethra after a bowel movement. These bacteria then travel to the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.

People of all ages and sex can get a UTI, but women are more likely to have them. The NIDDK says this is because females have a shorter urethra, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.

UTI symptoms include a burning sensation when you urinate, a need to urinate more often than usual, or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area. They can also cause rectal pain in women and pain in the groin or upper back in men.

Painful Urination

Painful urination, also called dysuria, can indicate urology problems. This is because urination can be triggered by irritation or inflammation of the bladder, urethra, or perineum.

It is usually associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI) but can be caused by other things. Talk to your doctor about what might be causing the pain so that they can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

A urologist can determine the cause of your pain and recommend a treatment plan. For example, a UTI often requires antibiotics to help eliminate the infection.

Other urinary tract conditions may also lead to painful urination, including interstitial cystitis and prostate inflammation. These can be treated with medication or lifestyle changes.

Pain in the Groin

Pain in the groin is usually caused by muscle strain, but it can be a sign of many other urology problems. Some examples include hernias, enlarged lymph nodes, and kidney stones.

A hernia is when a piece of an internal organ (like the bowel) gets through a weak spot in the muscle wall of your abdomen. This can cause a painful bulge and is often worse with coughing or bearing down.

A hernia may also occur during pregnancy due to the growing uterus pushing on the muscles and ligaments of your pelvis. It can feel like a sharp or pulsating pain that comes and goes. Some hernias are very painful, but most get better over time. If you have a hernia that is hard to push back into place, it is essential to see a doctor urgently.

Pain in the Loin

If you have pain in the loin or groin, this can be a sign of urology problems. It can be caused by infection or a bladder stone.

This is a very distressing symptom and should be treated as soon as possible. It can also indicate kidney problems, significantly if the pain worsens when you urinate.

The pain can come and go but usually goes away with time. It can be treated with any painkiller you prefer.

Back or Groin Pain

Back or groin pain that goes away with rest is often due to muscle strains, but it can also be a sign of other problems. For instance, it may be a sign of kidney stones or an inguinal hernia when part of the bowel passes through a weak spot on the abdominal wall.

Your doctor can do a physical therapy assessment and help you find relief with stretching and strengthening exercises and wrap your groin area in compression clothing or athletic tape. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help with discomfort.

Kidney pain in the back is not as joint as groin pain, but it can be a sign of an infection or kidney stone. It may feel dull or achy, or it may be sharp and sudden.