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Is Burning Sensation During Urination Symptom Of Vaginosis?
Question: My doctor saw clue cells in my urinalysis. My symptoms are burning when urinating. Is this vaginosis? I just wanted to be sure the presence of clue cells indicates vaginosis.
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to HCM forum.
Clue cells are vaginal epithelial cells coated with bacteria. Since they are vaginal cells, they are typical of bacterial vaginosis and nothing to do with UTI.
But, vaginosis usually will not cause dysurea. Dysurea is feature of UTI.
So, it is possible that you may be having UTI in addition.
Anyhow you already had the appointment. Kindly follow your doctors advise.
Meanwhile keep good local hygiene and drink enough fluids.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing you good health.
Thank you.
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to HCM forum.
Clue cells are vaginal epithelial cells coated with bacteria. Since they are vaginal cells, they are typical of bacterial vaginosis and nothing to do with UTI.
But, vaginosis usually will not cause dysurea. Dysurea is feature of UTI.
So, it is possible that you may be having UTI in addition.
Anyhow you already had the appointment. Kindly follow your doctors advise.
Meanwhile keep good local hygiene and drink enough fluids.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing you good health.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Yes, I was diagnosed with a UTI a week ago. She put me on Cipro. However, I went back today because after 5 days of Cipro, I still feel burning when I urinate and in the vaginal area. That is why she did another urine sample. She thought the UTI had cleared but saw the clue cells which is why she said I may have vaginosis.
Is the burning because my urethra and vaginal area are irritated?
Is it common practice to diagnose vaginosis through a urine test, or do I need to get a pap smear?
Is the burning because my urethra and vaginal area are irritated?
Is it common practice to diagnose vaginosis through a urine test, or do I need to get a pap smear?
Brief Answer:
Urine culture sensitivity.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Bacterial vaginosis usually will not cause urethral burning. anyhow, as you told,a severe vaginosis may cause vaginal irritation involving distal urethra, though not commonly.
When UTI symptoms persist on initial treatment with antibiotics like cipro, I usually change the antibiotic to others like cefixime after ordering for urine culture sensitivity test and adjust the antibiotics according to the report if needed. You can discuss this with your doctor.
It is not uncommon to diagnose vaginosis on urine microscopy as urine is almost always mixed with any vaginal discharge.
There is no need of pap smear, which look for cervical pathology rather than vaginal or urethral.
Hope you got cleared now.
Thank you
Urine culture sensitivity.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Bacterial vaginosis usually will not cause urethral burning. anyhow, as you told,a severe vaginosis may cause vaginal irritation involving distal urethra, though not commonly.
When UTI symptoms persist on initial treatment with antibiotics like cipro, I usually change the antibiotic to others like cefixime after ordering for urine culture sensitivity test and adjust the antibiotics according to the report if needed. You can discuss this with your doctor.
It is not uncommon to diagnose vaginosis on urine microscopy as urine is almost always mixed with any vaginal discharge.
There is no need of pap smear, which look for cervical pathology rather than vaginal or urethral.
Hope you got cleared now.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
The doctor did do a urine culture on the original urinalysis that showed UTI. The original urine sample at the initial appointment showed bacteria, luekocytes, and moderate microscopic hematuria. However, afer a few days later, she said the bacteria did not grow out. I was a bit confused at this. Does this mean I never had a UTI, or does this happen sometimes?
Then, when I went back for the second urinalysis 5 days later(when the vaginosis was diagnosed), she said based on the urine, it looks like the UTI cleared up, but there was still hematuria and clue cells which indicated vaginosis. Al of my symptoms had faded except the burning and a bit of back pain here.
I am starting my full round of flagyl today after taking one last night. Since this is all so new for me, I just wanted another opinion. Do you think I am headed in the correct direction to getting better? Thanks so much for your help.
Then, when I went back for the second urinalysis 5 days later(when the vaginosis was diagnosed), she said based on the urine, it looks like the UTI cleared up, but there was still hematuria and clue cells which indicated vaginosis. Al of my symptoms had faded except the burning and a bit of back pain here.
I am starting my full round of flagyl today after taking one last night. Since this is all so new for me, I just wanted another opinion. Do you think I am headed in the correct direction to getting better? Thanks so much for your help.
Brief Answer:
you are on the right path
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Sorry for the delay. I was a bit busy.
Since there was pus cells along with bacteria in the initial urine test, you had an UTI, even though the culture was negative. The second test revealed clearing up of UTI.
But you have persistent burning. Let's wait for the effect of treatment for vaginosis. If the burning persist, we may need a repeat culture and a course of parenteral antibiotic.
Right now you need not worry,you are in line with the standard protocol.
Wishing for faster recovery.
Thank you.
you are on the right path
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Sorry for the delay. I was a bit busy.
Since there was pus cells along with bacteria in the initial urine test, you had an UTI, even though the culture was negative. The second test revealed clearing up of UTI.
But you have persistent burning. Let's wait for the effect of treatment for vaginosis. If the burning persist, we may need a repeat culture and a course of parenteral antibiotic.
Right now you need not worry,you are in line with the standard protocol.
Wishing for faster recovery.
Thank you.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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