Painful urination is trouble or burning while passing urine. This is often felt in the tube that carries urine out of the bladder or around the genitals. In women, it's often caused by urinary tract infections. In men, it's often caused by urethritis and prostate problems. If you're pregnant, or if painful urination doesn't go away and has other symptoms, make a medical appointment.Painful urination in women is often caused by urinary tract infections. In men, it's frequently caused by urethritis and prostate problems. Other common causes of painful urination include sexually transmitted infections, genital herpes, bladder and kidney stones, and soaps, perfumes, and other personal care products that irritate.
Make a medical appointment for:
- Painful urination that doesn't go away.
- Fluid coming from the penis or vagina.
- Urine that smells bad, is cloudy or has blood in it.
- Fever.
- Back pain or pain in the side, also called flank pain.
- Passing a stone from the kidney or bladder, also called urinary tract.
Pregnant people should tell a member of their health care team about any pain they have while passing urine.
Show References
- Papadakis MA, et al., eds. Dysuria. In: Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2023. 62nd ed. McGraw Hill.2023. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed April 3, 2023.
- Dysuria. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/symptoms-of-genitourinary-disorders/dysuria#. Accessed April 3, 2023.
- Chaudhari PP. Etiology and evaluation of dysuria in children and adolescents. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 3, 2023.
- Partin AW, et al., eds. Urologic evaluation of the child. In: Campbell Walsh Wein Handbook of Urology. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 3, 2023.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/painful-urination/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050772