Causes of Pain During Urination

There are several causes of painful urination, and most can be easily treated with prescription or over-the-counter medication, but serious conditions may require more aggressive treatment. Contact your physician for further guidance.

Anatomy

• The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder via thin tubes called the ureters. When you get an urge to urinate, urine is released from the body through the urethra.

Urinary Tract Infections

• A urinary tract infection (UTI) can affect any part of the urinary system and is treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of a UTI can include painful urination, frequent urination, cloudy urine, foul smelling urine and the need to urinate at night.

Male Disorders

• An infection, like prostatitis, or prostate cancer can cause painful urination. Additional symptoms of prostatitis and prostate cancer include lower back pain and painful ejaculation.

Female Disorders

• A cause of painful urination in women is vaginitis, which is a vaginal infection. Vaginitis can be caused by bacteria, fungus or parasites. Additional symptoms of vaginitis include painful intercourse, vaginal itching and discharge.

STDs

• Certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis can cause painful urination. Additional symptoms of an STD include painful intercourse, pelvic pain and an abnormal or foul smelling discharge from the penis or vagina.