Painful urination (dysuria)
DEFINITION
Painful urination (dysuria) is discomfort or burning with urination, usually felt in the tube that carries urine out of your bladder (urethra) or the area surrounding your genitals (perineum).
CAUSES
A number of conditions can cause painful urination. In women, the most common cause of painful urination is a urinary tract infection. In men, urethritis and certain prostate conditions are the most frequent causes of painful urination.
Common medical conditions and external causes of painful urination include:
- Bladder stones
- Chlamydia
- Cystitis (bladder infection)
- Drugs, such as those used in cancer treatment, that have bladder irritation as a side effect
- Genital herpes
- Gonorrhea
- Having a recent urinary tract procedure performed, including use of urologic instruments for testing or treatment
- Kidney infection
- Kidney stones
- Prostatitis (prostate inflammation)
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Soaps, perfumes and other personal care products
- Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra)
- Urethritis (infection of the urethra)
- Urinary tract infection
- Vaginitis (vaginal infection)
- Yeast infection (vaginal)
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
- Your painful urination persists
- You have drainage or discharge from your penis or vagina
- You see blood in your urine
- You have a fever
- You have back pain or pain in your side (flank pain)
- You pass a kidney or bladder (urinary tract) stone
If you’re pregnant, tell your doctor about any pain you have when you urinate.