Symptoms
What your symptom might mean.
Each guide explains what a symptom is, its common causes, how it is usually investigated, when to seek urgent help, and what to do next.
-
Read the guide
Blood in urine (haematuria)
Blood in the urine is never normal, even if it happens once or does not hurt. The common causes, why it needs checking, how doctors find the reason, and when to go to hospital.
-
Read the guide
Weak stream, straining or incomplete emptying (LUTS)
A slow or weak stream, straining, or a bladder that never feels empty. The common causes, why it should not be ignored, how doctors find the reason, and when to go to hospital.
-
Read the guide
Burning or pain when passing urine
Burning, stinging or pain when passing urine, including cloudy or strong-smelling urine. The common causes, how doctors find the reason, what to do next, and when to go to hospital.
-
Read the guide
Flank or kidney pain
Pain in the side or back under the ribs. The common causes, which patterns point to the kidney, how doctors find the reason, what to do next, and when to go to hospital.
-
Read the guide
Scrotal pain or swelling
Pain or swelling in the scrotum, including the emergency of a twisted testicle. The common causes, how doctors find the reason, what to do next, and when to go to hospital.
-
Read the guide
Unable to pass urine
Not being able to pass urine, or passing only a few drops with a full bladder. Why it is an emergency, what doctors do, and what to do while you get help.
-
Read the guide
Lump in the testicle
A lump or swelling in or near a testicle. The common causes, how to check yourself, how doctors find the reason, and when to go to hospital.
-
Read the guide
Frequent urination and urgency
Needing to pass urine often, or a sudden strong need that is hard to hold. The common causes, what you can try yourself, and when to get help.
-
Read the guide
Passing urine at night (nocturia)
Waking at night to pass urine. The common causes, what you can try yourself, how doctors find the reason, and when to get help.
-
Read the guide
Leaking urine
Urinary incontinence in men and women. The common patterns and causes, what you can do yourself, how doctors find the reason, and when to get urgent help.
-
Read the guide
Lower abdominal or bladder pain
Pain low in the tummy above the pubic bone. The patterns that point to the bladder, the common causes, how doctors find the reason, and when to go to hospital.
-
Read the guide
Pain in the penis or on ejaculation
Pain from the skin, foreskin, urine tube, prostate or shaft. The common causes, how doctors find the reason, what to do next, and when to go to hospital.
-
Read the guide
Blood in semen (haematospermia)
Seeing blood in the semen. Why it is usually harmless but should be checked, the common causes, how doctors find the reason, and when to see a doctor quickly.
-
Read the guide
Difficulty getting or keeping an erection
Why erections can become difficult, what the body and mind have to do with it, how doctors find the reason, what to do next, and when to get urgent help.
-
Read the guide
Difficulty conceiving a baby
Why a pregnancy may not happen, how both partners are checked, what you can do now, and when to see a doctor. Written for couples, without blame.
-
Read the guide
Bladder problems in children (including bedwetting)
For parents: wetting by day or night, frequent urination, and pain on passing urine in children. The common causes, what to do, and when to see a doctor.
More guides will be added over time. If there's a symptom you'd like us to cover, let us know on WhatsApp.