Pee & Urine Issues - Pain, Bed-Wetting, Amount & Frequency / Question
Published: April 17, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a 15 year old male who has been to 2 urologists and have had lots of tests due to bleeding when I pee. It hurts every time. The doctor found a sore in my urethra, has no idea why it is there has never seen this before and tells me that I have to live with it. My last urine culture shows trace amount of protein. Have you heard from anyone else that is dealing with this? Do you have any advise?
Signed: Still Bleeding When I Pee - 2 Urologists Later
Dear Still Bleeding When I Pee - 2 Urologists Later,
You sound really frustrated, having been poked and prodded several times. Lots of teens deal with uncomfortable problems that cause bleeding and pain in their genitals. The causes can be numerous and varied. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a diagnosis, and while it may be upsetting to learn this, the best person to give you additional information is a doctor who is able to examine you, obtain lab results, and a complete history. The symptoms you have described can be caused by many different ailments, some caused by trauma to the urinary system, others due to illness. So, it is really difficult to even provide you with examples of what this may be, since we do not have all the details.
Being an advocate for your own health is sometimes difficult, when doctors and medical settings can seem very overwhelming. But, it is the responsibility of the patient (and their parents) to request additional information, ask the doctor to speak slowly and in everyday language. Also, continue to seek treatment until the symptoms have been properly identified and treated. You should try to see your doctor as a partner in this quest to discover what the underlying problem is. If your physician is not able to give you an answer, ask for a referral to see someone else. If the doctors that you have seen are unable to give you a specific cause for your symptoms or you are not fully satisfied that they have an accurate diagnosis, get another opinion. It may require you to go to another urologist. Also, you haven't mentioned if you are sexually active - if so, have you been tested for sexually transmitted diseases?
If you live in northern NJ, and would like to make an appointment at the Adolescent/ Young Adult Center for Health, call (973) 971-6475.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The motor vehicle death rate for male drivers and passengers ages 16-19 is more than one and half times that of their female counterparts.
