A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection affecting any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. While UTIs are known for their typical urinary symptoms, their impact can sometimes extend to other areas of the body. This article explores the connection between UTIs and buttock pain.
What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria, most commonly E. coli from the digestive tract, enter the urethra and multiply. When the infection is in the urethra, it is called urethritis, and a bladder infection is known as cystitis.
Typical symptoms of a lower UTI, which involves the bladder and urethra, include a frequent and strong urge to urinate, a burning sensation during urination, and passing small amounts of urine. Individuals might also notice cloudy or strong-smelling urine, or experience discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic area. If left untreated, bacteria can travel upwards from the bladder to the kidneys, leading to a more severe infection called pyelonephritis.
How UTIs Can Cause Buttock Pain
While buttock pain is not a primary symptom of a typical UTI, there are several ways an infection in the urinary tract might lead to discomfort in this region. One mechanism involves referred pain, where pain from an internal organ is felt in a different, often distant, part of the body. The nerves innervating the bladder and kidneys originate from the sacral and lumbar regions of the spinal cord, which also supply sensation to the lower back, hips, and buttocks. Irritation or inflammation in these urinary organs can send signals along these shared nerve pathways, causing pain to be perceived in the buttock area.
A more severe urinary tract infection, specifically pyelonephritis (kidney infection), can directly cause pain that radiates to the buttock. Kidney infections commonly present with pain in the flank area, just below the ribs. This pain can be a dull ache and is often felt deep within the body, sometimes extending to the lower back, groin, or even the upper back and buttocks due to the kidneys’ proximity.
General discomfort and pain from a UTI can also lead to muscle tension in the pelvic region. The pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and other pelvic organs, may involuntarily tense or “guard” in response to the irritation and pain of an infection. This sustained muscle contraction can extend to surrounding areas, including the lower back and gluteal muscles, contributing to buttock discomfort or a generalized aching sensation.
Other Reasons for Buttock Discomfort
Buttock pain has numerous potential causes beyond a urinary tract infection. These include muscle strain, particularly affecting the gluteal muscles from overuse or injury. Sciatica, where the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, often causes sharp, shooting pain that originates in the lower back and radiates through the buttocks and down the leg.
Piriformis syndrome, where the piriformis muscle tightens and irritates the sciatic nerve, is another common cause. Spinal conditions like a herniated disc can also lead to buttock pain by compressing nerves. Other possibilities include bursitis (inflammation of bursae) or pain from prolonged sitting.
When to Consult a Doctor
Seek medical attention if you experience persistent or worsening buttock pain, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. If you suspect a UTI, consult a healthcare provider. Timely diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are important to resolve the infection and prevent complications.
Prompt medical evaluation is important if you develop signs of a severe infection, such as fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. Pain in the back or side, particularly below the ribs, could indicate a kidney infection, which requires immediate attention. Blood in the urine or confusion, particularly in older adults, also warrants an urgent medical visit.