Discomfort at urethra. Kidney stone?

[Northcoast]

Female, 51.  Started having a burning sensation and redness on the vulva right outside of the vagina two months ago.  GYN did a test and said I had bacterial vaginosis (though no discharge or odor).  Went through two different creams/ointments and an antibiotic pill and a biopsy of the red area.  Came back as "chronic inflammation" and the BV test was still coming back positive.  Now I'm on several weeks of premarin cream because the doc thinks I'm low on estrogen.  The redness and burning are now gone and things have plumped up down there.  But I've also felt this uncomfortable pressure on my urethra over the past few months.  I've also felt the urethra flutter a bit every so often.  I had this happen when I was passing a kidney stone years ago, so it always makes me wonder if I have one when I feel that flutter. When I look there it seems swollen to me when I have the discomfort.  I look other times when it feels fine and it looks different to me.  On my latest GYN visit I again mentioned the urethra discomfort and the doc said it looked normal to her but ordered a urinalysis.  Well, came back that I have a UTI.  Started on antibiotics and the urethra discomfort went away.  But yesterday I felt that urethra flutter again and had slight back pain so I thought I was passing a kidney stone (have had 4 of them).  No back pain today but the urethra pressure feeling is back when I sit. And felt the flutter again today.  I also have read that menopause causes changes to the urethra, vagina and bladder, so I'm not sure if that's what I'm experiencing. But it's disconcerting.  Soooo, I'm wondering if I should see a urologist about this or just continue with my GYN.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thank you!

[Northcoast]

I received the results in the mail of the urinalysis done right before the scope procedure and I STILL have a UTI after a course of amoxicillan and a course of CIPRO.  Different organism is now the culprit (actually the same organism (enterococcus faecalis) from the first urinalysis I had when the doctor gave me amoxicilllan).  The second urinalysis showed e-coli.  Surprised my urologist didn't call me when they got these results.  So I called his office and they put me on Nitrofurantoin for two weeks.  Still have the burning and redness on the vulva and I don't think the premarin is helping with that.  In fact, I think it may be contributing to the burning sensation.  It's uncomfortable to sit at work and to cross my legs.  And I seems like my anus and surrounding area is now inflamed too.  Just sooooo ready for this to be cured.  

[Northcoast]

I'll post this in case anyone has the same issue and wants information.  After ten days on Cipro antibiotic the UTI is officially gone.  So I had the cystoscopy today.  Was sooooo worried about it because I read some terrible things online about pain.  Actually wanted to back out of it  like a baby.  But I went through with it and it was a piece of cake.  Slight, slight pinch here and there but it was over with in a few minutes.  No stones, everything looks good.  Hurts like hell to pee right now though, which is actually worse than the procedure.  Still have redness and burning outside of the vagina which the doctor observed, but the doctor thinks it's probably an estrogen issue like my GYN thinks.  I'm on Premarin every few days now instead of every day.  And I've been exercising so that could be contributing to the recurrence of the burning and redness problem. But I'm a little worried that all these antibiotics have thrown off all the good bacteria in the vagina, so I'm taking a probiotic every day.  Keeping my fingers crossed that now that the UTI is gone and I'm on the premarin that this burning goes away soon.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

You are welome. Take care and regards.

[Northcoast]

Thank you doctor for your advice.  It made me act.  I had an appointment with my old urologist today (thanks to my MD for calling him and getting me in fast).  I had  KUB x-ray taken which was inconclusive about a stone.  Had a urine test done and came back that I still have a UTI despite a full course of amoxicillin which I just finished this morning. The Dr. said the urine was positive for nitrites but negative for leukocytes.  He said this was not normal.   Had me go to the hospital lab for a urine culture which will come back on Monday.  Then I have an appt. for a scope in two weeks.  He suggested I could have a persistent UTI that is resistant to the antibiotics I've taken.  Or it still could be a gynecological issue.  He prescribed Pyridium for the urethra discomfort.  Just took one and hoping it helps the discomfort I feel.  I sincerely thank you for answering my question.  This has been a very frustrating and emotional couple of months dealing with this persistent health issue.  Thank you!

[lindsay712]

go see an urologist!!  that is their area of expertise! i urinated blood with both of my pregnancies, and my ob said they couldn't figure out why, and just ignored it.  when it happened after my last pregnancy my primary referred my to an urologist.  they found a 2.4 cm kidney stone stuck in my ureter!!  im so glad i went to a urologist, and wish i had gone sooner.  he knew exactly what i was going thru, and the mystery was solved!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Since you were having atrophic vaginitis and now having these fluttering sensations on the urethra, urtehritis which may be non specific needs to be ruled out. Also urinary tract infection and urethral syndrome also need to be investigated. Also get an ultrasound lower abdomen to rule out any kidney or ureteric stones.

I sincerely suggest you to consult a urologist and get it evaluated.
I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.