If discharge changes persist, are unusual for you, or occur with pain, sores, bleeding, or a possible sexual exposure, seek medical advice. A clinician can recommend the appropriate tests and treatment. Avoid taking leftover antibiotics or using another person’s medication, since the wrong treatment may fail to address the cause and can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
3. Burning or Pain During Urination
Pain, stinging, or burning when urinating is another symptom that deserves attention. It can occur when an infection irritates the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can
cause this symptom, and trichomoniasis may also produce urinary discomfort. Nevertheless, urinary tract infections, irritation from soaps or personal-care products, and other medical conditions can cause similar sensations.
The timing and accompanying symptoms can help guide a clinician’s assessment, but they cannot establish a diagnosis by themselves. For example, burning during urination combined with genital discharge may raise concern about urethritis, which is inflammation of the urethra. Testing is needed to identify the cause.
