What if it hurts when you pee

Doctors may also refer to painful urination as dysuria. People with dysuria should make their doctor aware of any other symptoms that they are experiencing. If these relate to the painful urination, it can help doctors make a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment. Many different conditions can cause painful urination. Most of these causes are highly treatable. Below are 10 possible causes of painful urination, along with other symptoms that may occur alongside it.

A urinary tract infection UTI occurs when excess bacteria build up somewhere in the urinary tract. This part of the body runs from the kidneys to the bladder to the urethra, which carries urine toward the outside of the body.

Sexually transmitted infections STIs , such as chlamydia , gonorrhea , and herpes , can all affect the urinary tract and lead to pain when urinating. Symptoms may vary according to the type of STI. For example, herpes typically causes blister-like lesions on the genitals. A short-term bacterial infection can result in a prostate infection or prostatitis. Chronic inflammation from another condition, such as an STI, can also cause prostatitis. Kidney stones are collections of materials, such as calcium or uric acid, that build up and form hardened stones in and around the kidneys.

Sometimes, the kidney stones will lodge themselves near the area where urine enters the bladder. This can cause painful urination. Much like kidney stones, ovarian cysts are an example of how something outside the bladder can press on it and cause painful urination. Also known as bladder pain syndrome, interstitial cystitis is a condition that causes chronic irritation of the bladder lasting 6 weeks or more without an underlying infection.

Sometimes, chemicals that are external to the body, such as fragrances, can irritate bodily tissues. When a person urinates, this irritation may be more noticeable, and pain may occur. Products that can cause chemical sensitivity include:. Also known as vaginitis or vaginosis, a vaginal infection can occur due to the overgrowth of bacteria or yeast.

People with interstitial cystitis also have urinary frequency, urgency, chronic pelvic pain and pain during intercourse. Ohio State is filling training gaps for Ohio health care providers with two projects designed by experts in maternal-fetal medicine and emergency medicine. Stroke is not just a man's disease. Know the indicators and risk factors for women. By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use. We'll be in touch every so often with health tips, patient stories, important resources and other information you need to keep you and your family healthy.

Why does it hurt when I pee? Here are a few things that could be causing pain during urination and how to ease or end it. Urinary tract infection Anyone can get a urinary tract infection UTI , but this infection is more common in women.

Sexually transmitted infections Some sexually transmitted infections STIs can also cause painful urination. Cystitis Cystitis, or an inflammation of the bladder, can be caused by a wide range of causes. Learn more about the possible conditions that could cause pain during urination.

Learn more. Can you test for STDs and treat them at home? What are some acute stroke symptoms in women? If left untreated, a kidney infection can land you in the hospital, she warns. Your doctor will likely need a urine sample to diagnose you with a kidney infection. Antibiotics are the first line of treatment, and symptoms usually start to improve after a few days on the meds. When minerals in urine stick together and crystallize, the resulting bits are called stones—and they can settle in the kidneys or the bladder.

But if a bladder stone irritates the bladder lining or a kidney stone lodges in the wrong place, urine flow can be blocked and pain can get pretty intense, both while peeing and otherwise. If your doctor determines you have kidney or bladder stones, he or she will likely recommend drinking lots of water to help flush out the stones. However, larger symptomatic stones may need to be removed by your doctor.

The infection is more common in sexually active women than those who have never had vaginal sex, and it has to do with an imbalance between the healthy and harmful bacteria that naturally reside in the vagina. If you have BV, it can hurt to pee, your vulva and vagina might itch, and your discharge may appear thin and white or grayish. Some women with BV also notice a strong below-the-belt odor, particularly after sex.

You're more likely to deal with small tears and painful peeing if you've passed that midlife milestone known as menopause. Hormonal changes brought on by menopause can thin the vaginal walls and the skin of your vulva, which on its own can make it hurt to pee—not to mention leave you more likely to develop small lacerations during sex. In the future, a good lube can help you avoid this kind of burning while urinating. If this is the cause of your discomfort, you'll have to wait a bit before having intercourse again, Dr.

By Sarah Klein Updated August 21,