A

• Anuria

  • Definition: Complete absence of urine production.

  • Causes: Acute kidney injury, bilateral urinary tract obstruction.

  • Clinical tip: Emergent situation requiring prompt evaluation.

• Amenorrhea

  • Definition: Absence of menstruation for >3 months in a woman of reproductive age.

  • Causes: Pregnancy, hypothalamic dysfunction, ovarian failure, thyroid disease.

• Altered Urinary Stream

  • Description: Changes in urine flow including weak stream, hesitancy, or spraying.

  • Causes: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urethral stricture, prostatitis.

B

• Burning Micturition (Dysuria)

  • Definition: Pain or burning sensation during urination.

  • Common causes: Urinary tract infection (UTI), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urethritis.

• Blood in Urine (Hematuria)

  • Types: Gross (visible) or microscopic.

  • Causes: Urinary tract infections, stones, malignancies, trauma, glomerulonephritis.

  • Red flags: Painless gross hematuria, associated weight loss.

C

• Cloudy Urine

  • Possible causes: Infection, pyuria, crystalluria.

  • History tip: Ask about associated symptoms like foul smell or pain.

• Change in Urine Color

  • Causes: Foods (beets), medications, blood, bilirubin.

D

• Dribbling of Urine

  • Definition: Leakage of urine after voiding.

  • Causes: Overflow incontinence, prostate disease, neurogenic bladder.

• Dysmenorrhea

  • Definition: Painful menstruation.

  • Causes: Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), uterine fibroids.

E

• Edema

  • Description: Swelling, especially peripheral or periorbital.

  • Relevance: May indicate nephrotic syndrome or renal failure.

• Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

  • Definition: Inability to achieve or maintain erection.

  • Causes: Vascular disease, diabetes, psychological, medications.

F

• Frequency

  • Definition: Increased number of urinations (>8 times/day).

  • Causes: UTI, diabetes mellitus, bladder irritation.

• Foul-Smelling Urine

  • Often indicates infection or poor hygiene.

G

• Genital Ulcers

  • Associated conditions: Herpes simplex virus, syphilis, chancroid.

• Gonorrhea History

  • Important: Ask about history of STIs, treatment, and sexual contacts.

H

• Hesitancy

  • Definition: Difficulty initiating urination.

  • Causes: Prostatic enlargement, urethral stricture.

• Hydronephrosis History

  • Associated symptoms: Flank pain, recurrent infections.

I

• Incontinence

  • Types: Stress, urge, overflow.

  • History points: Onset, frequency, triggers, impact on quality of life.

• Impotence

  • See Erectile Dysfunction.

L

• Lower Abdominal Pain

  • May be due to: Cystitis, prostatitis, pelvic pathology.

• Loin Pain

  • Causes: Renal colic, pyelonephritis.

M

• Menorrhagia

  • Definition: Excessive menstrual bleeding.

  • Causes: Fibroids, coagulopathies, hormonal imbalance.

• Micturition Pain

  • See Dysuria.

• Midstream Urine Collection History

  • Important for diagnosing UTI; ask about hygiene during collection.

N

• Nocturia

  • Definition: Need to urinate more than once during the night.

  • Causes: Diabetes, heart failure, bladder outlet obstruction.

O

• Oliguria

  • Definition: Reduced urine output (<400 mL/day).

  • Causes: Acute kidney injury, dehydration, obstruction.

P

• Perineal Pain

  • Possible causes: Prostatitis, urethritis, pelvic floor dysfunction.

• Polyuria

  • Definition: Excessive urine volume (>3 L/day).

  • Causes: Diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus.

• Priapism

  • Definition: Prolonged painful erection lasting >4 hours.

  • Urgent condition: Risk of penile tissue damage.

R

• Renal Colic

  • History: Severe flank pain radiating to groin, associated with hematuria.

  • Causes: Kidney stones.

• Retention of Urine

  • Definition: Inability to void despite full bladder.

  • Causes: Obstruction, neurogenic bladder, medications.

S

• Scrotal Pain or Swelling

  • Causes: Epididymitis, testicular torsion (emergency), hernia.

• Sexual History

  • Important points: Number of partners, contraception, STIs, sexual dysfunction.

• Stranguria

  • Definition: Painful, frequent urination with a sensation of incomplete emptying.

T

• Testicular Mass or Lump

  • History: Duration, pain, associated systemic symptoms (weight loss, fever).

  • Important to rule out malignancy.

• Transurethral Catheter History

  • Relevant in recurrent infections or strictures.

U

• Urinary Hesitancy

  • See Hesitancy.

• Urinary Frequency

  • See Frequency.

V

• Vaginal Discharge

  • Description: Color, amount, odor, associated symptoms (itching, pain).

  • Causes: Vaginitis, cervicitis, STIs.

• Voiding Difficulties

  • Includes: Hesitancy, poor stream, retention.

W

• Weight Changes

  • Relevance: May indicate malignancy or chronic renal disease.

Key History-Taking Tips for the Genitourinary System

• Always clarify onset, duration, and progression of symptoms.

• Explore associated systemic symptoms like fever, chills, or weight loss.

• Obtain a sexual history sensitively and confidentially.

• Ask about fluid intake, medications, and any previous urological procedures.

• Screen for risk factors for STIs, malignancy, and chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension).

• Note impact on daily activities and quality of life.