What could be the reason for urethral pain and blood in urine even after taking antibiotics?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 42-year-old, and I am being treated for a urinary tract infection with antibiotics, though my urine test came back all normal except for blood in my urine. Tomorrow is the last day of antibiotics, with symptoms still present. No fever, no kidney stone pain, no vomiting, and I feel fine otherwise. What else could this be?

During my menses this month, I had some strange cramps in my lower abdomen that felt a bit unusual and required Ibuprofen (I do not usually have bad cramps and rarely take pain medication for them). Mainly on the right side, I had urethral pain and blood in my urine, so I visited a clinic, assuming I had a UTI.

All tests came back clear except for blood in the urine. I am on antibiotics and am taking AZO for discomfort. Antibiotics do not seem to be working at all, and if I go more than 24 hours without the AZO, the symptoms come back. I have had frequent urination and pressure in the bladder, usually in the week after my menses.

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

The presence of pain frequency and urgency are similar symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI). Still, negative urine culture results (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) suggest that it could be interstitial cystitis. It is a chronic bladder inflammation that will need a cystoscope and bladder biopsy for diagnosis. Some medications can be taken after a bladder biopsy to reduce symptoms, depending on the biopsy result. Through the same procedure, we can do hydrodistention of the bladder and install substances to help reduce symptoms.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.