Differential Diagnosis for Pelvic Pain, Burning Urination, and Vaginal Discharge
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is the most likely diagnosis due to the combination of pelvic pain, burning urination (dysuria), and vaginal discharge, which are all common symptoms of a UTI.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Vaginitis: Inflammation of the vagina, often caused by bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or trichomoniasis, which can cause vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and dysuria.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the female reproductive organs that can cause pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, and dysuria, often resulting from untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or herpes, which can cause pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, and dysuria.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ectopic Pregnancy: A life-threatening condition where the embryo implants outside the uterus, which can cause pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding, and may be accompanied by dysuria if there is associated urinary tract involvement.
- Ovarian Torsion: A condition where the ovary twists around its ligaments, cutting off blood supply, which can cause severe pelvic pain and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, which can cause pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever, and may be accompanied by dysuria if the appendix is located near the urinary tract.
Rare Diagnoses
- Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia, which may be accompanied by vaginal discharge and dysuria in some cases.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of a diverticulum in the colon, which can cause pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits, and may be accompanied by dysuria if there is associated urinary tract involvement.