Medical History and Physical Exam for Urinary Tract Infections

If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), your initial evaluation by your doctor will include a medical history and physical exam. A medical history includes an evaluation of your current Reference urinary tract Opens New Window symptoms, history of Reference urinary tract infections Opens New Window or other urinary tract problems, family health history, and sexual history. You and your doctor will discuss your general health and the results of previous testing.

For women, your doctor will:

• Evaluate the possibility of pregnancy and any history of reproductive problems.
• Include a pelvic exam if symptoms indicate a possible pelvic infection or Reference urethritis Opens New Window.
• Examine your lower back, abdomen, and the area just above where the pelvic bone and the lower abdomen meet for tenderness, pain, or abnormalities.
• Take your temperature.

For men, your doctor will:

• Evaluate any history of prostate problems.
• Examine your genitals, lower back, and abdomen.
• Examine your rectum and rectal area to check for Reference prostate Opens New Window enlargement, growths, or inflammation.
• Take your temperature.

You have symptoms of a UTI.

Findings of the medical history and physical exam include the following:

Normal

• No pain, growths, or abnormalities
• No prostate enlargement or tenderness (men only)
• No discharge from the Reference urethra Opens New Window

Abnormal

• Pain or discomfort in response to pressure on the lower back, abdomen, or the area above the pelvic bone
• Growths or abnormalities detected during pelvic or rectal exam
• Enlarged or tender prostate gland (men only)
• Discharge from the urethra

A thorough medical history and physical exam can often help rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as a Reference vaginal yeast infection Opens New Window, Reference sexually transmitted infection Opens New Window, or Reference prostatitis Opens New Window. Provide your doctor with as accurate a medical and sexual history as you can.

Complete the medical test information form (PDF) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) to help you prepare for this test.

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