Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will take a detailed history (including a sexual history), collect a urine sample, and perform a physical examination.

• Urinalysis and urine culture: These tests aid in the diagnosis of a urinary tract infection (bladder infection).

• Urethral culture

• Your urine can be tested for sexually transmitted diseases present in the urethra.

• Sometimes a swab is inserted about one-half inch into the urethra and sent for testing (although uncomfortable, it only takes a few seconds).

• The results usually take more than a day to come back.

• The doctor may or may not decide to test your blood. Your white blood cell count may be high if infection is present.