Painful urination (dysuria)
Learn about possible causes for pain, burning or other discomfort during urination and when you might need to see a doctor.
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).
A number of conditions can cause painful urination (dysuria). In women, urinary tract infections are a common cause of painful urination. In men, urethritis and certain prostate conditions are frequent causes of painful urination.
Medical conditions and external factors that can cause painful urination include:
- Bladder stones
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
- 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 (pyelonephritis)
- Kidney stones
- Prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate)
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Soaps, perfumes and other personal care products
- Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra)
- Urethritis (infection of the urethra)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Vaginitis
- Yeast infection (vaginal)
Contact your doctor or make an appointment if:
- Your painful urination persists
- You have drainage or discharge from your penis or vagina
- Your urine is foul-smelling or cloudy, or 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.
Last Updated:
October 21st, 2021
