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Painful urination describes any pain, discomfort, or burning sensation during urination.

Pain on urination is a fairly common problem. It is most often caused by an infection somewhere in the urinary tract.

• Candidal dermatitis or vaginitis
• Contact dermatitis or vulvitis
• Interstitial cystitis
• Prostatitis
• Radiation cystitis
• Urinary retention
• Urinary tract infection
• Urethritis (in men) caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia

Follow prescribed therapy.

Call your health care provider if:

• There is drainage or a discharge from your penis or vagina
• You are pregnant and are having any painful urination
• You have painful urination that lasts for more than 1 day
• You notice blood in your urine

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your symptoms and medication history, such as:

• When did the painful urination begin?
• Does the pain occur only during urination?
• Does the pain stop after urination?
• Is there back pain?
• What other symptoms do you have?
• Have you had a fever higher than 100 degrees F?
• Is there drainage or discharge between urinations?
• Is there an abnormal urine odor?
• Are there any changes in the volume or frequency of urination?
• Do you have the urge to urinate?
• Did you notice blood in the urine?
• Are there any rashes or itching in the genital area?
• What medications are you taking?
• Are you pregnant or could you be pregnant?
• Has there been a previous bladder infection?
• Do you have any allergies to any medications?
• Have you had sexual intercourse with someone who has, or may have, gonorrhea or chlamydia?
• Has there been a recent change in your brand of soap, detergent, or fabric softener?
• Have you had surgery or radiation to your urinary or sexual organs?

A urinalysis will be done. A urine culture may be ordered. If you have had a previous bladder or kidney infections, a more detailed history and physical are needed, and extra laboratory studies may be necessary. A pelvic exam and examination of vaginal fluids are necessary if a female has a vaginal discharge. Men who have penile discharge will need to have a urethral swab done.

Treatment depends on what is causing the pain.

See:

• Prostatitis
• Urethral stricture
• Urinary tract infection
• Yeast infection - vagina

Dysuria; Painful urination

Updated by: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.