Dysuria (Urination Pain) Causes and Treatments to Help if it Hurts to Pee

Do you suffer from pain when urinating? This is known as dysuria, a common medical symptom that describes the sensation of pain or burning when urinating. It’s something that many people will deal with at some point in life. Dysuria can only be treated by identifying the underlying cause. However, diagnosis can be difficult as urination pain has many potential causes. It can affect both men and women, although it does tend to be more common in women, or people with vulvas. 

The main causes of dysuria may also differ for men and women. Let’s delve into the specifics below. 

Very often dysuria is caused after urination, as urine can sometimes irritate the lining of the urethra, which then becomes inflamed. Contractions of the bladder wall and the pressure of passing urine can exacerbate this inflammation of the urethra lining. There are also many other medical conditions and external causes of urination pain such as: 

Women 

• Bladder infection 

• Cystitis 

• Urethritis 

• Endometriosis 

• Urinary tract infection 

• Vaginal infection 

• Bladder or kidney stones 

• Yeast infection 

• Various STIs / STDs including genital herpes, gonorrhoea and others. 

Men 

• Prostate disease 

• Cancer 

• Urinary tract infection 

• Bladder or kidney stones 

• Urethritis

Anyone can experience pain when urinating, regardless of age or sex. However, there are certain groups who are more at risk. These include: 

• Women or people with vulvas (due to an increased prevalence of UTIs in women, which are often linked to dysuria) 

• Pregnant women 

• Men and women with diabetes 

• Men and women with any type of bladder disease 

Symptoms can vary slightly but most people describe dysuria as a burning, stinging or itching sensation when urinating. This abnormal sensation can occur during or even after urination. The specific moment at which pain occurs during urination can sometimes correlate with specific underlying conditions. For example, pain occurring at the start of urination is often caused by a UTI, while pain occurring after urination is more likely to be a bladder or prostate related condition. Men may also feel pain in the penis before or after urinating. In women, the pain can be felt both inside and outside, with internal pain likely being linked to a UTI, and external pain being linked to conditions that may irritate the sensitive skin around the vulva. 

Dysuria is different from other types of pain in the lower part of the abdomen, such as bladder pain (typically felt around the belly button) or kidney pain (associated with the lower back and sides). 

It’s important to see your GP if you notice burning or pain when urinating, as it is a sign of an underlying health issue that may require treatment to be resolved. Your doctor may ask questions about your symptoms and medical history as well as your lifestyle or sex life to help get an accurate diagnosis.  

You may also need to give a urine sample, as this can identify various underlying causes such as a UTI. In younger sexually active patients, a swab may also be used to obtain a sample for other potential causes. A physical examination may also take place to help in the diagnosis. Your healthcare practitioner should explain what they are doing and why to help you understand. 

Doctors may also ask you about: 

• How sudden or gradual your urination pain is 

• If the pain is recurring or not 

• If you have had a fever 

• Abnormal discharge 

• Flank or back pain 

• Changes in urine flow 

• Changes in urinary frequency

• Changes in urine colour

• Changes in urine volume

Sometimes, if no infection is found, it may be necessary for additional tests on the bladder or prostate (in men) to be undertaken, or swabs of the vagina/urethra.

Once your doctor has determined the cause of your urination pain, a specific treatment targeting this underlying cause will be given. If you have a UTI, antibiotics may be prescribed. If the underlying cause is linked to the prostate or bladder, more specific diagnosis or treatments may be required. 

Prevention is almost always better than a cure. However not all causes of dysuria are infectious, and for non-infectious causes such as kidney stones, prevention isn’t possible. 

Some tips to help avoid urination pain include: 

• Drinking plenty of water. Most people need 2 to 3 litres of water a day. 

• Change underwear and incontinence products regularly to maintain good hygiene. 

• After urination, wipe away any residual urine to prevent bacterial growth. 

• Practicing safe sex 

Taking steps to reduce the occurrence of a UTI is the surest way to prevent dysuria. 

It can take time to diagnose and treat urination pain. If you’re suffering from urinary health concerns or urinary incontinence, we have a range of products that could help make you more comfortable, from our TENA Lights incontinence liners designed for sensitive skin, as well as protective barrier cream and wipes. 

Learn more about urinary incontinence and how to deal with it, or how to handle post-prostate surgery recovery.