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Real members of MyEndometriosisTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Can WBCs in a urine sample be caused by endo? Any other info about the connection between endo and UTIs?

A MyEndometriosisTeam Member asked a question 💭
Providence, RI

I went to a walk in clinic earlier this week for UTI symptoms and was prescribed antibiotics because of white blood cells in my sample. I got the results back from the culture that was sent out a few days later and there was no growth. The antibiotics seemed to help so maybe it was just a false negative, but I also had a huge pain flare up two days before I went in. Could this be related to my endo? It seemed a little different from my normal endo related bladder pain which was why I went to the… read more

July 17
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MyEndometriosisTeam

What a frustrating experience — chasing UTI symptoms only to get a negative culture is genuinely confusing, especially when you're already managing endo. The good news is you're asking exactly the right questions.

Yes, endometriosis can absolutely be connected to bladder symptoms that mimic a UTI. There are two main ways Show Full Answer

What a frustrating experience — chasing UTI symptoms only to get a negative culture is genuinely confusing, especially when you're already managing endo. The good news is you're asking exactly the right questions.

Yes, endometriosis can absolutely be connected to bladder symptoms that mimic a UTI. There are two main ways this can happen:

- Interstitial Cystitis (IC/BPS): A bladder inflammation condition that is significantly more common in people with endometriosis. It causes pelvic pain, frequent urination, and burning — all without a bacterial infection present.
- Bladder Endometriosis: A rarer form where endometrial-like tissue grows on or into the bladder, causing pain and spasms as the bladder fills or empties. The pattern you're describing — recurring negative cultures, bladder pain, and a flare connection — is something other MyEndometriosisTeam members have experienced too. One member shared that they had painful burning urination and UTI-like symptoms repeatedly, but no positive UTI test, and was eventually diagnosed with interstitial cystitis after working with both a gynecologist and a specialist.

The inflammation caused by endometriosis can disrupt the protective lining of the urinary tract, which may explain why white blood cells showed up without bacterial growth — your body may be responding to inflammation rather than infection.

It would be worth specifically raising IC/BPS and bladder endometriosis with your gynecologist, rather than just being tested for UTIs at a walk-in clinic. A specialist can look deeper into what's actually driving your symptoms.

July 17

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