Brussels, Let's Talk Urology!

  The Frustrating Cycle of the "Endless UTI" Imagine this all-too-common scenario in female pelvic health: A woman experiences persistent, agonizing burning, intense urinary frequency, and unpredictable urgency. She visits her doctor, receives a standard prescription for antibiotics, completes the course, and experiences temporary relief, or perhaps none at all . Weeks later, the symptoms return with equal intensity. She provides a urine sample, yet the culture comes back entirely clear: negative for bacterial growth. Nevertheless, because her discomfort perfectly mirrors a severe bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI), she is prescribed another empirical round of antimicrobials. This cycle repeats four, five, or six times a year. The patient is left exhausted, anxious, and demoralized, trapped on an antibiotic treadmill while her daily life remains disrupted by relentless urogenital pain. In my practice as a consultant urologist in Brussels, my diagnostic thesis in these re...

  04  August 2025 By a Urologist Who’s Seen It All (and Definitely Washed His Hands After) Introduction: It’s Not Just “A Little Infection” Dysuria—yes, that unpleasant burning sensation during or after urination—is a distressing and disruptive symptom that affects women across all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Yet, in many cases, it goes understated, misunderstood, or worse, mismanaged. A woman walks into a clinic, reports the classic symptoms, and walks out with yet another pack of antibiotics—often prescribed without a proper diagnosis, urinalysis, or culture. This approach is not just lazy medicine;  it’s dangerous . While  bacterial cystitis  is indeed one of the most common causes of dysuria, it is by no means the only one. Dysuria can be the first red flag for a much wider array of urological and gynecological conditions. This article seeks to bring clarity to the many faces of dysuria, explain how to manage it properly, and, importantly, outline ...