A bladder infection in females can be caused by a number of things, from external irritants (such as spermicide or feminine spray) to bacteria. According to the Merck Manual, a bladder infection may also be called cystitis, as it commonly causes bladder inflammation. A bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection. According to the National Institutes of Health, bladder infections occur more often in females due to the arrangement of a woman's anatomy.
Urinary Urgency
One of the common signs of a bladder infection in females is urinary urgency, or a feeling of needing to urinate very frequently. According to the National Institutes of Health, this urge may even occur immediately after a woman empties her bladder. The Mayo Clinic adds that this urgency often results in passage of only small amounts of urine.
Pelvic Pain
According to the Merck Manual, pelvic pain is another common sign of a bladder infection in females. Pain may be felt around the pubic bone, or the pelvic cavity may simply feel uncomfortable. The National Institutes of Health report that this discomfort may feel like pressure or cramping, and may also occur as high as the lower abdomen. Sometimes, bladder infections cause what is called "referred" pain, or pain that is felt elsewhere in the body. For some women, bladder infections may cause referred pain in the lower back.
Painful Urination
Another type of pain that may occur during a bladder infection is pain during urination. Burning or stinging sensations while passing urine is a fairly common sign of a bladder infection in females. This burning disappears after a woman is finished urinating; however, it can be quite uncomfortable.
Urinary Changes
Bladder infections, according to the National Institutes of Health, may also cause changes in a woman's urine. The urine may appear cloudier than usual. It may also contain small amounts of blood (this is called hematuria). The Merck Manual reports that this symptom is present in approximately 30 percent of bladder infection cases. Women with a bladder infection may also notice that their urine smells different--a strong, sometimes unpleasant odor.
Low Fever
The National Institutes of Health report that a low-grade fever may be present in some women who have a bladder infection; however, this is not very common. In fact, the Merck Manual reports that most women with a bladder infection never have a fever. The presence of a fever, however, may indicate that the bladder infection has become more serious.
More Serious Symptoms
The National Institutes of Health reports that bladder infections, when left untreated, may spread to the kidneys. In this case, more serious symptoms develop. These include a high fever (over 101 degrees F), chills and flu-like symptoms. Other serious symptoms that require prompt medical attention include warm skin that appears flushed, severe pain in the abdomen or groin, nausea, vomiting and confusion.
