Wednesday August 20, 2008
ym.com > body > ask anything
Ow! It Burns!
About 17 days ago I had sex. The lower part of my stomach has been hurting ever since. I have a burning sensation when I need to pee, which is often. Could I be pregnant?
— Carly, 18, Kalamazoo, MI
I can't say whether you're pregnant because I'm not, alas, all knowing. Take a pregnancy test if you're worried. But it sounds like you have a urinary tract infection. A UTI can be caused by the irritation from having sex (especially if you don't have it often or are not very well lubricated). An infection can also occur when fecal bacteria gets in the urethra. (Always wipe front to back.)
Don't just take over-the-counter medications, because they only relieve symptoms-they're not a cure. If the problem hasn't gone away within 24 hours, go to a doctor. She'll take a urine sample to determine whether you have a UTI, and prescribe antibiotics if you do. Avoid UTIs by peeing before and after sex, and by drinking unsweetened cranberry juice. Both help eliminate bacteria from your bladder.
— Rebecca Onion
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