Urogenital symptoms

Urinalysis provides important information on numerous systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or hyperbilirubinemia. It is of primary importance for diseases of the urogenital system. Here is a brief description of the main urogenital symptoms and their significance.

• Dysuria
  Dysuria refers to difficult and painful urination (burning or stinging). The most frequent cause is usually an inflammation of the bladder or of the adjoining organs.
  It may be important to distinguish between an initial dysuria (at the beginning of miction) and a terminal dysuria (at the end of miction). The initial dysuria is a sign of inflammation or the hindrance of  bladder or urethral flow. Terminal dysuria is caused by prostatis or bladder hypertonia (most often due to infection).
• Bladder tenesmus
  This refers to an urgent and quite painful need to urinate, along with bladder cramps and a feeling of fullness. However, the amount of voided urine is usually quite small. The most frequent cause is inflammation or infection of the bladder and urinary tract.
• Pollakiuria
  Pollakiuria refers to a frequent need to urinate. The voided amounts are minimal. It is frequently caused by bladder or prostate inflammation. It is also frequently observed during pregnancy as a consequence of pressure exerted on the bladder. Pollakiuria can also have a psychological cause (anxiety attacks).
• Polyuria
  In the case of polyuria, the total amount of voided urine increases enormously, which leads also to a frequent need to urinate, but the voided volume per miction is normal. Normally the volume of urine voided daily is 2- 4 liters. Polyuria frequently occurs with polydipsia (excessive thirst). A primary polydipsia can cause polyuria. Polyuria is often the consequence of an osmotic diuresis caused by hyperglycemia or hypercalcemia.
• Oliguria
  Oliguria refers to a decrease in daily urinary volume to 500 ml. It can be the consequence of deficient vascular irrigation of the kidney (i.e. shock), a severe reduction in renal function (i.e. chronic glomerulonephritis) or urinary tract obstruction.
• Anuria
  Anuria refers to a decrease in daily urinary volume to less than 100 ml, which can cause death if not treated.
• Nocturia (or nycturia)
  Nocturia refers to frequent nocturnal urination. The amount of urine voided during the night can be even greater than during the day, which is a typical symptom of cardiac or renal insufficiency.
• Dyspareunia
  This refers to painful intercourse. It is a typical symptom of vaginal inflammation, but it can also be caused by psychological problems.
• Fluor vaginalis
  Abnormal vaginal discharge is a frequent symptom but it is not always related to a specific illness. If the discharge is recent and has increased significantly, or if it is associated with itching or a foul odor, it should always be evaluated and treated.