Health Encyclopedia

Urination - painful

Definition

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

Alternative Names

Dysuria; Painful urination

Considerations

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

Common Causes

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

Home Care

Follow prescribed therapy.

Call your health care provider if

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

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination. Medical history questions documenting painful urination may include the following:

When did the painful urination begin?
Does the pain occur only during urination?
Does the pain stop after urination?
Is the pain in the urethra?
Is there back pain?
What other symptoms are also present?
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?

With previous bladder or kidney infections, a more detailed history and physical are needed, and extra laboratory studies may be necessary. In women with a vaginal discharge, an examination of the vagina and any discharge is necessary. Men who have penile discharge will need to have a urethral swab done.

Diagnostic tests:

Your health care provider will probably start with an office urine dipstick. Based on those results, a urine culture may be ordered. DNA probes for gonorrhea or chlamydia may also be obtained.

Treatment:

If a urinary tract infection is confirmed or highly suspected, treatment will include the prescription of an antibiotic. If appropriate, pain medications will be administered. If gonorrhea or chlamydia is suspected, your health care provider will provide you with antibiotics to treat these infections, usually even before the lab can confirm the infection. In this case, you will also be instructed to notify any sexual partners for treatment.

If vaginitis or vulvitis is diagnosed, your health care provider will recommend appropriate treatment.

Other medications or surgical treatment may be necessary, depending on the cause of the discomfort.

Review Date:8/15/2006
Reviewed By:David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.