Painful or frequent urination — which specialty
Burning on passing urine, going often, and passing small amounts.
Usually seen by
Kidney and urology
Other directions, depending on what comes with it:
- Obstetrics and gynaecology — in women with abnormal discharge
- Urology — in older men with poor stream or difficulty starting
Not sure you have picked the right one? Start with general internal medicine — routing you to the right place is their job, not yours.
Go now, without waiting for an appointment, if any of these apply
- High fever with shivering and flank pain
- Blood in the urine
- Complete inability to pass urine
- Symptoms in someone who is pregnant
This list is not exhaustive and does not replace judgement on the spot. If something is clearly wrong and you are unsure, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest facility — waiting in order to be certain is the most dangerous way to spend the time.
What you will be asked — have the answers ready
- Burning at the start or at the end of the stream
- How many times a day, and how many at night
- The colour of the urine, and whether it smells unusual
- Whether there is fever or back pain
- Whether this has happened before, and which antibiotics were used
A first appointment is short. Having these answers ready is the cheapest way to avoid a second visit that exists only to supply information.
Bring with you
- Previous urine test results
- The names of antibiotics used for earlier episodes — this affects the choice this time
What a first visit usually involves
- A urine test
- A urine culture if episodes recur
- Ultrasound of the urinary tract if indicated