Burning Urine
What is dysuria (painful urination)?
Dysuria means pain or discomfort during urination, often described as a burning sensation. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and can occur in both men and women, though it is more common in women. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most frequent cause of dysuria, as bacteria infect parts of the urinary system including the bladder and urethra. Other people more likely to experience dysuria include pregnant women, those with diabetes, and individuals with bladder diseases. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, usually involving antibiotics for infections. Managing symptoms might also include drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Prompt medical evaluation ensures proper diagnosis and effective treatment to relieve painful urination.
What are the symptoms of dysuria
Symptoms of painful urination can vary. But people usually describe it as burning, stinging or itching. Burning is the most commonly reported symptom.
Pain can occur at the start of urination or after urination. Pain at the start of your urination is often a symptom of a urinary tract infection. Pain after your urination can be a sign of a problem with the bladder or prostate. In men, pain can remain in your penis before and after urination, too.
Symptoms in women can be internal or external. Pain outside your vaginal area may be caused by inflammation or irritation of this sensitive skin. Internal pain can be a symptom of a urinary tract infection.
How is dysuria diagnosed?
See a healthcare provider if you feel pain or burning when you pee. Dysuria can be a symptom of a medical condition that may need to be treated.
To diagnose your pain, first, your healthcare provider will review your complete medical history, including asking you questions about your current and past medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus or immunodeficiency disorders. He or she may also ask about your sexual history to determine if an STI could be the cause of the pain. Tests to screen for STIs may also be needed, especially if men have a discharge from their penis or women have discharge from their vagina. If you’re a woman of childbearing age, a pregnancy test may be done.
Your provider will also ask about your current prescriptions and over-the-counter medication use and any tried “home remedies” to manage the dysuria.
Possible Causes
There are many causes of dysuria. Also know that doctors can’t always identify the cause.
WOMEN: Painful urination for women can be the result of:
- Bladder infection (cystitis).
- Vaginal infection.
- Urinary tract infection.
- Endometritis and other causes outside the urinary tract, including diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
- Inflammation of the bladder or urethra (urethritis) (Your urethra is the tube that begins at the lower opening of your bladder and exits out of your body). Inflammation is usually caused by an infection.
The inflammation may also be caused by sexual intercourse, douches, soaps, scented toilet paper, contraceptive sponges or spermicides.
MEN: Painful urination for men may be the result of:
- Urinary tract infection and other infections outside the urinary tract, including diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
- Prostate disease.
- Cancer.
Painful urination for men and women may be the result of a sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or the side effect of medications. Chemotherapy cancer drugs or radiation treatments to the pelvic area may inflame the bladder and cause painful urination.
Care and Treatment
Treatment for dysuria depends on the cause of the pain/burning sensation. The first step in your treatment is to determine if the painful urination is caused by infection, inflammation, dietary factors, or a problem with your bladder or prostate.
- Urinary tract infections are most commonly treated with antibiotics. If your pain is severe, you may be prescribed phenazopyridine. Note: this medication turns your urine red-orange and stains undergarments.
- Inflammation caused by irritation to your skin is usually treated by avoiding the cause of the irritant.
- Dysuria caused by an underlying bladder or prostate condition is treated by addressing the underlying condition.
There are several steps you can take to reduce the discomfort of painful urination, including drinking more water or taking an over-the-counter aid (such as Uristat® or AZO®) to treat painful urination. Other treatments need prescription medications.
If you have frequent urinary tract infections, your provider can help find the cause.
