Painful urination (dysuria) is a broad term that describes discomfort during urination. This pain may originate in the bladder, urethra, or perineum. The urethra is the tube that carries urine outside of your body. For the male gender, the area between the scrotum and the anus is known as the perineum and for the female, the perineum is the area between the anus and the opening of the vagina. Painful urination is very common and the Pain, burning, or stinging can indicate a number of medical conditions.
What causes painful urination?
Urinary tract infections: According to an article by Healthline published on the 9th of December 2020, painful urination is a common sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). This can be the result of a bacterial infection. It can also be due to inflammation of the urinary tract. The urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys make up your urinary tract. The ureters are tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Inflammation in any of these organs can cause pain during urination. Women are more likely to develop UTIs than men. This is because the urethra is shorter in those with a vagina. A shorter urethra means that bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder. People who are pregnant or menopausal also have an increased risk of developing urinary tract infections.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Of the most common one is Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs). With this al person may experience pain when urinating Some STIs that may cause painful urination include genital herpes, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. It’s important to be screened for STIs, especially because they don’t always have symptoms. Many people who are sexually active should get tested for STIs.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): From the article published by Healthline, PID can affect the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and uterus. It can cause pain in the abdomen, painful sex, and painful urination, among other symptoms. PID is a serious infection that is usually caused by an initial bacterial infection in the vagina that then moves into the reproductive organs.
Hygiene products: Sometimes painful urination isn’t due to an infection. It can also be caused by products that you use in the genital regions. Soaps, lotions, and bubble baths can irritate vaginal tissues especially. Dyes in laundry detergents and other toiletry products can also cause irritation and lead to painful urination.
When to see a doctor: Contact your healthcare provider:
- if the pain is persistent or long-lasting
- if you’re pregnant
- the pain is accompanied by a fever
- if you experience discharge from your penis or vagina
- if your urine has a different odor, has blood in it, or is cloudy
- if the pain is accompanied by abdominal pain
- if you pass a bladder or kidney stone
Your doctor may ask about other symptoms and request lab work to help determine the cause of the pain.
