OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Could This Be a UTI?

3/22/2025, 1:00:44 AMMale25-34

Age 24, standing at 5 feet tall, weighing 55 kilograms, with no known health issues. Hello everyone. I would appreciate any insights or suggestions regarding an experience I had last night. Two days prior, I engaged in unprotected intercourse, which became painful, prompting us to stop after about ten minutes. Additionally, I consume coffee daily, and I wonder if that might have played a role in what I’m experiencing. Last night, after urinating as I normally do, I suddenly felt the urgent need to go again, yet no urine would flow. Attempting to push made it quite uncomfortable. Throughout the night, I endured persistent pressure in my bladder, which was quite distressing as the sensation of needing to urinate remained constant. To help alleviate the discomfort, I drank a lot of water to cleanse my system, and I was able to urinate normally, but the feeling of pressure did not subside. I quickly thought this might be indicative of a urinary tract infection. However, today, the pain seems to have diminished compared to last night, and the bladder pressure has lessened significantly. Am I possibly experiencing symptoms of a UTI? I felt quite anxious last night since my next opportunity to see a doctor is Wednesday. Is it advisable to wait it out? Also, can drinking water assist in alleviating these symptoms?

Bacterial InfectionInfectious DiseaseFamily Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

3/22/2025, 1:01:07 AM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're experiencing symptoms that could indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), especially considering the recent painful intercourse and the bladder pressure you've described. While your symptoms have improved somewhat since last night, it’s important to be aware of potential signs of a UTI and to take steps to manage your comfort.

Understanding Your Symptoms:

  • Symptoms of UTI: Common symptoms include a persistent urge to urinate, discomfort or pain during urination, and pressure in the bladder. The discomfort you felt during and after intercourse might have aggravated your bladder symptoms.
  • Hydration's Role: Drinking water can help by flushing out the urinary system, which may alleviate symptoms, but it’s not a cure for an infection if one is present.

Next Steps:

  1. Continue Staying Hydrated: Keep drinking plenty of water. Aim for at least 8 glasses a day unless advised otherwise. This can help dilute your urine and may reduce irritation.

  2. Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of changes in your symptoms over the next couple of days. If you notice a return of pain, fever, or worsening symptoms, it might be a sign to seek medical help sooner.

  3. Avoid Irritants: Limit caffeine and spicy foods, as they can irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.

  4. Rest and Comfort: Rest as much as you can to allow your body to recover. A heating pad on your lower abdomen may provide additional comfort.

  5. Prepare for Your Appointment: When you see your healthcare provider, be ready to discuss all your symptoms and any other changes you've noticed, as this will help them determine the best course of action.

While it's a good sign that your symptoms are lessening, having a healthcare provider evaluate your symptoms on Wednesday is still advisable for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if they worsen or do not improve.

Remember, it's always better to seek advice early rather than wait if you're feeling uncertainty about your health. You’re taking positive steps by being aware of your body and seeking information, which is commendable. Take care!

Related Questions

Mom's Battle with C. Difficile

My mom, who is 53 years old, was diagnosed with C. difficile last night. She's 22 and I’m seriously concerned as there’s been no prior use of antibiotics that could have caused this infection; the emergency room physician suggested she must have contracted it from an external source. Her regular medications consist of compounded hormone replacement therapy due to her post-menopausal status and pantoprazole to manage her acid reflux. The sole symptom she has experienced is persistent diarrhea, with no accompanying pain, nausea, or any other issues over the last eight days. On day six, she visited her primary care provider, who conducted blood and urine tests but dismissed the need for immediate action and recommended a CT scan instead. However, due to financial constraints, she could not proceed with the scan. The following day, we ended up at the ER, where they performed a stool analysis, confirming the C. difficile infection. She was prescribed Flagyl and Cipro, but I’m puzzled about the use of Cipro since it is known to exacerbate C. difficile infections. This concern was heightened when, just 20 minutes post-medication, she became extremely ill, leading me to consider contacting emergency services. The ER also made claims about C. difficile being eliminated solely through soap and water cleaning on surfaces, which contradicts much of the research I have conducted. While I understand that handwashing can remove spores, the doctor's assertion that surface disinfection with bleach, which we have been diligent about due to our cleanliness obsession, would be ineffective was alarming. They suggested everyone in our household might now be affected. This morning, I reached out to her primary care physician to explore alternative treatments, but they responded harshly, insisting she should have undergone the scan because they suspect a blockage. This is bewildering to me, especially since she has not exhibited any symptoms suggesting a blockage whatsoever. They failed to consider her complete lack of nausea until after she had the medication from the ER. We feel stuck and frustrated—if she truly has C. difficile, this has already persisted for eight days, and she urgently requires a therapeutic approach that won't leave her feeling worse. We’re in desperate need of guidance.

Bacterial InfectionViral InfectionInfectious Disease
Male25-34
1 minute ago

Tragic Situation Surrounding a Benadryl Overdose

Hello everyone. I’m reaching out because my younger sister, who was just 14 years old, tragically ended her life last night using Benadryl. I’m here seeking insight into her situation, and while I don’t need condolences, I appreciate any expressions of sympathy that may come my way. What I truly seek is raw, unfiltered information about what she may have experienced. Details: (I lack medical knowledge, so this information may not be crucial) - Female, age 14 - Height approximately 5'5" (give or take) and weight around 105-115 pounds (this is an educated estimate) - Took between 160-180 tablets, totaling around 4-4.5 grams (this estimate is based on my recent purchase of the bottle and her typical usage for sleep) My questions are as follows: (Feel free to share any other thoughts as well) How much time did she have after ingesting the medication? What might her last moments have been like? Was her passing calm, or was it filled with hallucinations or confusion? Did she experience seizures, or did she simply fall asleep? These are the difficult questions that I find hard to research myself. I hope that this discussion can provide clarity for anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation someday. I’m immensely grateful for any help in advance. As I post this, I’ ll be going to bed soon and may not respond to comments unless they hold significant questions related to my inquiries, though I might reconsider that later on.

Infectious DiseaseFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male25-34
5 hours ago

Concerns About Measles Exposure After Outbreak at Work

We have not experienced any symptoms, and both of us received our vaccinations during childhood. Recently, one of our coworkers was identified as the initial case of measles within the state and has since been hospitalized. The workplace is a smaller manufacturing facility, employing around 30 people, many of whom are unvaccinated. Given this situation, do we need to take any specific actions? Is it still possible for us to transmit the virus despite being vaccinated? We are uncertain about the necessary safety measures to adopt. Our employer hasn't communicated anything regarding the outbreak; we only learned about it when we saw our workplace mentioned in the news.

Bacterial InfectionInfectious DiseaseFamily Medicine
Male25-34
12 hours ago

Managing Fever with NAFLD

At 31 years old, I've been dealing with some health challenges. In September, I discovered I had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to abnormal enzyme levels revealed in an ultrasound. Although my latest results show a decrease, my enzyme levels remain somewhat elevated, with a moderate accumulation of fat noted. My doctor advised against using acetaminophen for pain relief. Interestingly, my father, who has a more severe case with significantly higher enzyme levels, was allowed to use acetaminophen but not ibuprofen. Since my diagnosis, I've avoided both medications. However, I am currently suffering from a cold accompanied by a fever of 100.2 degrees, which is quite uncomfortable. I reached out to my healthcare provider for advice, but since it's late at night, I probably won't receive a response until tomorrow. For context, I am on a treatment regimen that includes 20mg of Abilify and 50mg of Pristiq, and I do not consume alcohol. Today, I also took Sudafed PE twice to help with my symptoms.

High FeverColdFamily Medicine
Male25-34
1 day ago

Scaly Rash Emerging Near Cat Bite

I am a 30-year-old female, and I recently noticed a small, red rash that is raised and scaly around a bite I received on my calf from a fully vaccinated indoor cat. This rash is not warm, swollen, painful, or itchy and emerged roughly a week after the incident. The outline of the rash is distinctly defined, resembling a diamond shape, and is approximately the size of my thumbprint. I have a history of eczema from my childhood, and I have also been diagnosed with combined symptoms of Lupus and Scleroderma, in addition to mucous membrane pemphigoid; however, all of these conditions are currently well managed. The rash does not appear to be infected, and I’ve come across information suggesting that skin injuries can lead to the development of autoimmune sores in the same area. What might be the cause of this rash?

Bacterial InfectionInfectious DiseaseFamily Medicine
Male25-34
1 day ago