Burning and intense pain in urethra

I am a 16 year old female and for over a month I've had horrible burning and sometimes pain in my urethra. The burning and the pain starts up everyday and may last all day or happen once or twice during the day. but right before i go to sleep (when I'm in my bed) and after i wake up it never burns.

It is in the area above my vagina which I'm sure is my urethra. At first I thought it was something to do with my vagina but when i went to a gynecologist I was prescribe with bv (bacterial vaginosis), then I discovered that I always had to urinate frequently so i went back again and she prescribed me for a UTI even though she could see no bacteria present. This helped my frequent urination but not the pain.

Everyday it burns terribly and sometimes it's just horrible pain in general. This just randomly started happening to me and I become very depressed every day because of this.

Also, i go to this clinic where i am funded by the state because my family and I don't have that much money. I'm afraid that i can't afford to see a urologist.

Any advise? (especially for helping the pain)

[David A Burks, MD]

HI,  The question is what is your diagnosis??  A bacterial urinary tract infection can cause the burning sensation.  If you are sexually active, a sexually transmitted infection like herpes or gonorrhea can also cause burning. Also an infection of the glands next to the urethra can occur. A  urine culture, vaginal cultures and pelvic exam should be done by your gynecologist to rule these out.  If your cultures and examination are clear then this this could be a structural problem like a urethral diverticulum causing the burning.  If an infection and structural problems have been ruled out, this could be Interstitial Cystitis, an inflammatory condition of the bladder and urethra. It causes frequency, urgency and urethral/bladder pain, pressure or discomfort, and the cultures are normal.   You should be able to work with your gynecologist to get the correct diagnosis, or have her refer you to a gynecologist who specializes in pelvic pain.  There is a drug that is called pyridium that helps with burning.  Talk to your doctor about trying it while you get worked up.  Good Luck,