Only 46% of 84 women with dysuria were found to have significant bacteriuria while 8% had gonorrhea, 1% had herpes progenitalis and 17% had monilia and Trichomonas vaginitis. The remainder were considered to have the urethral syndrome. Neither pyuria, microscopic bacteriuria, nor any single subjective or objective datum definitively predicted cystitis at the initial visit. Therefore, we advise formulating the problem as "dysuria" at the initial evaluation even though one treats with an antimicrobial. The initial workup should include a routine urinalysis, gram stain of the urinary sediment, urine culture, an examination of the urethra and labia as well as a urethral culture. Complete pelvic examination is useful in documenting gonorrhea, herpes progenitalis or vaginitis. If the pelvic examination is deferred and the initial urine culture is negative, reevaluation of the dysuria should include a pelvic examination.