Irritative voiding syndrome is doctor-speak for “bladder on fire.” The lining or nearby nerves get cranky, so every drop of urine feels like a fire alarm.

Burning leads the pack. It stings at the start of the stream and can echo for a few seconds after you finish.

Urgency hijacks the day. A sudden “gotta go now” alarm hits, and the bathroom has to be within sprinting distance.

Frequency follows. You go every hour or two, yet each trip is only a small, unsatisfying amount.

Night trips multiply. Two or more awakenings become routine, even when you stop drinks hours before bed.

Lower belly ache hovers. It feels like a constant mild cramp above the pubic bone that eases right after you pee and creeps back as the bladder refills.

Sometimes the urine itself looks clear, so the pain feels out of proportion—hence the word “irritative.”