Informative article. If you are looking for a urological consultation in Gdańsk, go straight to the consultation page - the link can be found below.
Burning when urinating, frequent urgency, pain in the lower abdomen, cloudy urine or blood in the urine may suggest a urinary tract infection, but are not symptoms of only one disease. Similar symptoms may also occur with urolithiasis, prostatitis, sexually transmitted infections, urethral irritation or bladder diseases.
This article explains what a UTI is, how to distinguish cystitis from emergency symptoms, when a urine test or culture is needed, and when it is worth seeing a urologist. At Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej in Gdańsk, the diagnosis of urinary system symptoms can be started with urological consultation.
Author: Editorial team of Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej · Medical consultation: to be completed by a urologist · Publication: to be completed · Updated: 07.07.2026
Do you have a burning sensation, frequent urge to urinate or pain when urinating?
Don't start an antibiotic accidentally. First, it is worth determining whether it is a bladder infection, urethral infection, prostate problem, stones or another cause of the symptoms.
Make an appointment with a urologist →The most important information at a glance
| Symptom | Possible cause | What to do? |
|---|---|---|
| burning sensation when urinating | UTI, urethritis, irritation, sexually transmitted disease | urine test and consultation, especially if the symptom returns |
| frequent urgency and small amounts of urine | cystitis, overactive bladder, prostate, urolithiasis | diagnosis of symptoms, especially in men and in case of relapses |
| fever, chills, back or side pain | possible pyelonephritis or complicated UTI | urgent medical evaluation |
| blood in urine | UTI, stones, prostate, bladder tumor or other urinary tract diseases | should not be underestimated; requires medical assessment |
| recurrent infections | anatomical factor, urolithiasis, residual urine, prostate, diabetes, menopause | diagnosis of the cause of recurrence |
What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection affecting part of the urinary tract. It most often affects the lower section, i.e. the bladder and urethra. Then the patient experiences a burning sensation, frequent tenesmus, pain in the lower abdomen, urination of small amounts of urine, cloudy urine or an unpleasant smell of urine.
The infection may also affect the upper urinary tract, i.e. the kidneys. Then the symptoms are usually more serious: fever, chills, pain in the lumbar region or side, nausea, vomiting and a marked deterioration of well-being. This situation requires a quicker medical evaluation.
UTIs are more common in women, but in men, symptoms of a urinary tract infection should prompt closer evaluation. In a man, burning, pain, frequent urination or fever may be related to the prostate, residual urine, stones, a sexually transmitted infection or another urological problem.
"Burning when urinating does not always mean a simple cystitis. The urologist should pay attention to gender, age, fever, back pain, blood in urine, concomitant diseases and recurrence of symptoms."
- expert commentary, to be approved by a WMP doctor
The most common symptoms of UTI
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection usually appear suddenly. In some people they are mild, in others they are very bothersome and make it difficult to sleep, work and everyday functioning.
Common symptoms of a lower UTI include:
- burning or pain when urinating,
- frequent urination,
- sudden urge to urinate,
- passing small amounts of urine,
- pain or pressure in the lower abdomen,
- cloudy urine,
- unpleasant smell of urine,
- blood in urine,
- feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
Symptoms may be less typical in older people. In children, pregnant women, men, people with diabetes, urolithiasis, kidney disease or weakened immunity, urinary tract infections require a more careful approach.
When may symptoms indicate nephritis?
Not all UTIs are limited to the bladder. If the infection affects the kidneys or has general symptoms, you should not wait for spontaneous improvement.
More urgent medical evaluation is required:
- fever, chills or severe weakness,
- pain in the back, side or lumbar region,
- nausea or vomiting,
- pain when urinating with a marked deterioration of well-being,
- pregnancy and symptoms of UTI,
- UTI in a man with fever or perineal pain,
- urinary retention, severe pain or suspected stones,
- blood in urine, especially if it does not go away after treatment.
Symptoms such as high fever, chills, lumbar pain, vomiting or rapid deterioration of your general condition may require urgent medical attention.
Is any burning sensation when urinating a UTI?
No. Burning when urinating is a common symptom, but it can have various causes. Blind treatment may delay the correct diagnosis, especially when the symptoms recur or affect a man.
| Symptoms | Possible cause | What should be checked? |
|---|---|---|
| burning, tensing, frequent urination | cystitis | general urine test, sometimes culture |
| burning after sexual contact, urethral discharge, testicular pain | urethritis or sexually transmitted infection | diagnostics STI, urological or dermatological-venereological consultation |
| perineal pain, fever, difficulty urinating in a man | prostatitis | urological assessment, urine test, sometimes further diagnostics |
| colic side pain, blood in urine, nausea | urolithiasis | Ultrasound or other imaging tests, urine test |
| frequent urgency without infection in urine test | overactive bladder, irritation, bladder diseases | urological assessment of symptoms and further tests |
Why do UTIs occur more often in women?
In women, the urethra is shorter and its opening is closer to the anus, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. Infections may occur more often after intercourse, during pregnancy, after menopause, when using certain contraceptive methods, in case of diabetes or a tendency to constipation.
Recurrent infections in women require careful analysis: how often they occur, whether they are confirmed by urine tests, whether they are related to intercourse, whether there is vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, urolithiasis or other urological or gynecological symptoms.
UTI in a man - why is it worth seeing a urologist?
In men, urinary tract infections are less typical than in women and more often require a broader look. Symptoms may result from inflammation of the prostate, residual urine, narrowing of the urethra, stones, phimosis, sexually transmitted infection or a bladder problem.
The urologist can assess whether you need a urine test, culture, urinary tract ultrasound, prostate evaluation, STI testing, or further diagnostics. This is especially important if symptoms return, fever, perineal pain, weak urine stream, urinary retention or blood in the urine.
How is a urinary tract infection diagnosed?
Diagnosis depends on symptoms, gender, age, pregnancy, comorbidities and whether infections recur. In some patients, an interview and a general urine test are sufficient, while others require a urine culture, blood test or ultrasound.
The doctor may recommend:
- general urine test - assessment of leukocytes, nitrites, erythrocytes, protein and other parameters,
- urine culture - identification of bacteria and assessment of sensitivity to antibiotics, especially in the case of relapses, pregnancy, fever, symptoms in men or ineffectiveness treatment,
- blood tests - if there is a fever, malaise or suspected kidney infection,
- ultrasound of the urinary system - if there is a suspicion of stones, residual urine, obstruction of urine outflow or recurrences,
- diagnostics for sexually transmitted diseases - if symptoms and history indicate so.
In case of recurring symptoms, it is worth performing tests before starting antibiotics, if the patient's condition allows it. An antibiotic taken before the culture may make the interpretation of the result difficult.
UTI treatment - why shouldn't you take antibiotics "just in case"?
Treatment depends on the type of infection, severity of symptoms, gender, pregnancy, comorbidities, test results and local bacterial resistance. In some mild infections in women, the doctor may administer a short course of antibiotics, but in men, pregnant women, people with fever, kidney pain or relapses, a more thorough evaluation is usually needed.
Do not use antibiotics left over from previous treatment yourself. This may:
- not cure the infection if the bacteria are resistant,
- complicate the culture result,
- increase the risk of recurrence,
- delay the diagnosis of stone disease, prostatitis or a sexually transmitted disease,
- promote the development of antibiotic resistance.
If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, take it as directed and go back to your doctor if your symptoms persist, worsen, or return after treatment ends.
Recurrent UTI - when to look for the cause?
Recurrent urinary tract infections require more than just another "just like last time" treatment. It is necessary to check whether the infections are actually confirmed by tests and whether there is no residual urine, stones, anatomical disorders, prostate problems, diabetes, menopause or infections related to intercourse.
It is worth seeing a urologist when:
- infections return several times a year,
- symptoms return shortly after treatment,
- cultures show antibiotic-resistant bacteria,
- there is blood in the urine,
- side pain, fever or suspicion appear urolithiasis,
- the patient is a man, child, pregnant woman or person with kidney disease,
- there is a weak urine stream, residual urine or prostate symptoms.
How to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections?
Prevention depends on the cause of the infection. Different recommendations will apply to a young woman with infections after intercourse, others to a man with prostate symptoms, and still others to people with stones or diabetes.
General actions that may help include:
- drinking enough fluids if there are no medical contraindications
- emptying your bladder regularly and not holding urine
- urination after intercourse if infections are related to sexual activity,
- avoiding constipation, which may worsen bladder problems,
- treatment of diseases that promote infections, e.g. diabetes or urolithiasis,
- diagnosis of prostate problems in men,
- discussing recurrence prevention with a doctor if infections often return.
Not every person with a UTI needs constant prevention. The decision is made by the doctor after assessing the frequency of infection, culture results and risk factors.
Who should I contact on the Island of Friendly Medicine?
At the Friendly Medicine Island in Gdańsk, a patient with burning sensation when urinating, frequent urgency, blood in the urine, recurrent infections or suspected prostate problem may start with a urological consultation.
urologist - URL and scope of admission to be confirmed before publication
More about the doctor
During the visit, the doctor may discuss a urine test, culture, ultrasound of the urinary tract, prostate diagnostics or further tests if the symptoms suggest a cause other than simple cystitis.
The most important information at a glance
- UTI most often manifests itself as a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urgency, pain in the lower abdomen and cloudy urine.
- Fever, chills, back or side pain may suggest a kidney infection and require more urgent evaluation.
- Not every burning sensation when urinating is a UTI - it may be urolithiasis, prostatitis, urethritis or a sexually transmitted disease.
- In men, the symptoms of UTI should be consulted with a urologist, especially in case of fever, perineal pain, weak urine stream or recurrences.
- In case of recurrent infections, it is important to culture urine and look for the cause of recurrence.
- The antibiotic should be selected according to the clinical situation, and in the case of relapses, preferably also according to the culture result.
Frequently asked questions
Does burning when urinating always mean a UTI?
No. The burning sensation may result from inflammation of the bladder, but also from inflammation of the urethra, a sexually transmitted disease, stones, irritation, a prostate problem or a bladder disease. If the symptom returns, is severe or affects a man, it is worth performing diagnostics.
When do you need to see a doctor quickly if you have a UTI?
Fever, chills, back or side pain, nausea, vomiting, pregnancy, blood in urine, male symptoms, urinary retention, severe pain, kidney disease, diabetes, decreased immunity or no improvement after treatment require quicker evaluation.
Do you always need antibiotics for a UTI?
The decision is not always the same. Treatment depends on symptoms, gender, pregnancy, comorbidities, test results and risk of complications. You should not take antibiotics left over from previous treatment yourself, as they may complicate diagnosis and promote resistance.
Why is urine culture performed?
Urine culture allows you to check what bacteria causes the infection and what antibiotics it is sensitive to. It is particularly important in the case of relapses, pregnancy, fever, symptoms in men, treatment failure or suspected complicated infection.
Is a UTI more dangerous in a man than in a woman?
Not always, but in men, symptoms of a urinary tract infection are more likely to require more thorough evaluation. They may be related to the prostate, stones, residual urine, urethral narrowing or a sexually transmitted infection. In case of fever or recurrences, it is worth seeing a urologist.
What to do in case of recurrent urinary tract infections?
In case of recurrences, it is worth confirming the infection with a urine test and culture and looking for the cause. The urologist may assess the bladder, residual urine, prostate, urolithiasis, diabetes, the relationship between infection and sexual intercourse or other factors increasing the risk of recurrence.
Which doctor should I see if I have UTI symptoms?
For simple symptoms, you can start with your family doctor, but if there are recurrences, blood in the urine, male symptoms, side pain, fever, suspected stone disease, prostate problems or no improvement, it is worth seeing a urologist.
Burning, tensing, pain or blood in urine?
The urologist will help determine whether it is a UTI, urolithiasis, prostate infection, urethral infection or another cause of urination problems.
Make an appointment for a urological consultation →Summary
Urinary tract infection most often manifests itself as a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urgency, pain in the lower abdomen, cloudy urine or blood in the urine. These symptoms do not always mean a simple cystitis - similar symptoms may include urolithiasis, prostatitis, urethritis, sexually transmitted diseases or other bladder diseases.
Fever, chills, back or side pain, nausea, vomiting, pregnancy, male symptoms, blood in urine, urinary retention or recurrent infections require more careful evaluation. In the case of recurrences, urine culture and searching for the cause of the infection are particularly important.
If you have burning, pain, urge to urinate or the symptoms come back, schedule a urological consultation in Gdańsk .
Read also
Sources and medical context:
- NICE NG109 - Urinary tract infection lower: antimicrobial prescribing
- NICE - information for the public: lower UTI symptoms and antibiotics
- NHS - Urinary tract infections
- European Association of Urology - Guidelines on Urological Infections
- EAU - Urological Infections Guidelines, summary of changes 2025
- Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej - urological consultation
The article is for information purposes and does not replace a medical consultation. Burning when urinating, frequent urge to urinate, pain, blood in urine, fever, chills, back or side pain, male symptoms, pregnancy, recurrent infections or lack of improvement after treatment require individual medical evaluation. The doctor decides about diagnosis, urine tests, culture, antibiotics and further treatment.