What Causes Urge To Urinate Followed By Severe Cramps?

Posted on Mon, 22 Sep 2014

Question: On multiple occasions I have woken up in the middle of the night thinking I had to urinate very badly. The feeling intensifies into a severe cramp that has lasted 30min to an hour. The pain is almost unbearable. I break out in cold sweats and feel like Im going to throw up from the pain but never do. After about an hour the cramp begins to ease up and finally go completely away and I feel fine and go back to bed. I have had 2 ultra sounds for this issue and my doctor believes I am just feeling ovulation since it usually hits mid month. This month however the cramp happened (last night) a week after my ovulation. I have been wearing the OV watch to monitor that. I know ovulation was last monday so this cramp has to be something else.

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rule out UTI&genital infection...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Your symptoms, indeed, are related to ovulation. However, I highly advise to run:
- urine analysis
- complete blood work
- vaginal swab testing

to rule out UTI and genital infection. Some of my patients have also reported severe abdominal cramps when ovulation or during their menstrual cycle, but, they were also diagnosed with vaginal infection. Once it was correctly treated, they reported improvement of cramping.

You can ask to run such tests and see the difference!
Do not forget to increase water intake and take mephenamic acid to relieve pain!

All the best!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Albana Sejdini (32 minutes later)

I have had bloodwork done and a pap and everything was normal. I will follow up with a urine analysis. The cramp itself feels very much like it is my uterus or bladder not so much mid stomach. I'm just confused since I had the cramp last night and ovulated almost a week ago

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Normal for pre-menstrual syndrome...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Do not worry too much. What you are experiencing is normal for pre-menstrual syndrome. Can take mephenamic acid for the pain. Papaverin and buscopan are also excellent pain-relievers, but need to take prescription for that. You can ask at your local pharmacy if they are sold as OTC drugs.

Once again, as long as complete blood work is fine (no anemia), and ultrasound ok, then, nothing worrisome.

PAP test will tell you if you have abnormal cells, that won't indicate if you have infection and at what degree. Vaginal swab testing will determine infection.

All the best!
Dr.Albana

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar