Painful urination (dysuria)

Definition

Painful urination, also called dysuria, is trouble or burning when passing urine. This is usually felt in the tube that carries urine out of the bladder, called the urethra, or the area around the genitals, called the perineum.

Causes

A number of conditions can cause painful urination, also called dysuria. In women, urinary tract infections are a common cause. In men, urethritis and certain prostate conditions often cause painful urination.

Medical conditions and other factors that can cause painful urination include:

• Bladder stones
• Cervicitis
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Cystitis (which is inflammation of the bladder)
• Genital herpes
• Gonorrhea
• Having a recent urinary tract procedure done, including any that used urologic tools for testing or treatment
• Interstitial cystitis
• Kidney infection
• Kidney stones
• Medicines, such as those used in cancer treatment, that can irritate the bladder as a side effect
• Prostatitis
• Reactive arthritis
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Soaps, perfumes and other personal care products
• Urethral stricture
• Urethritis (infection of the urethra)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Vaginitis
• Yeast infection (vaginal)

When to see a doctor

Make a medical appointment for:

• Painful urination that doesn't go away.
• Fluid coming from the penis or vagina.
• Urine that smells bad, is cloudy or has blood in it.
• Fever.
• Back pain or pain in the side, also called flank pain.
• Passing a stone from the kidney or bladder, also called urinary tract.

Pregnant people should tell a member of their health care team about any pain they have while passing urine.

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