Some or all of these symptoms may occur:
- A frequent and pressing urge to pass urine, while only being able to void small amounts of urine
- A hesitant or intermittent flow of urine
- A need to pass urine many times a day – this can rise to 4-6 times an hour on bad days
- Pain, usually burning or stinging, when passing urine (known as dysuria) in the bladder or urethra
- Having to get up several times in the night to go to the toilet
- Cloudy urine or blood in the urine (haematuria)
- A strong, sweet or “fishy” smell to the urine – bacteria can change the odour of urine
- For women, pain and inflammation across the pubic bone, pelvic floor and lower abdomen. Pain may radiate into the vagina or along the vulva.
- For men, pain and inflammation radiating into the rectum. Pain may travel down the legs as well.
- A pressure sensation in the lower abdomen and pelvis – due to the inflammation of the bladder pressing against the other pelvic organs.
- Fever, feeling generally unwell, a dull ache in the lower abdomen and back. These symptoms may mean the infection has spread to the kidneys
- Emotional distress and brain fog/confusion. This can particularly affect the elderly.
- Discharge may accompany the above symptoms in the case of urethritis