Dysuria (painful urination): what it is and common causes

Dysuria typically results from irritation or inflammation of the urethra—the tube that carries urine out of the body. In women, vaginal discharge can also irritate the external urethral opening. The underlying cause determines how it's diagnosed and treated.

Causes in both men and women

Several sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause painful urination in anyone:

• Gonorrhea: A bacterial STI that commonly causes burning during urination, sometimes with discharge.
• Chlamydia: Often symptomless, but can cause a burning sensation when it does produce symptoms.
• Trichomoniasis: A parasitic infection that can cause itching, irritation, and pain with urination.
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV-2): Genital herpes outbreaks can cause significant pain during urination, especially if sores are present near the urethra.

If you're concerned about STI exposure, the Everlywell At-Home STD Test screens for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, and hepatitis C from home.

Additional causes in women

• Urinary tract infection (UTI): Bacterial infection of the bladder or urethra—one of the most common causes of dysuria in women.
• Yeast infection: Overgrowth of Candida in the vagina can cause external burning during urination.
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV): An imbalance of vaginal bacteria that can cause irritation and discomfort.
• Chemical urethritis: Irritation from soaps, lubricants, spermicides, or other products applied near the urethra.
• Atrophic vaginitis: Thinning and dryness of vaginal tissue, most common after menopause, that can make urination painful.
• Interstitial cystitis: A chronic bladder condition that causes pelvic pain and urinary discomfort unrelated to infection.
• Urinary tract obstruction: Kidney stones, tumors, or scar tissue can partially block urine flow and cause pain.

Additional causes in men

• Urinary tract infection (UTI): Less common in men than women, but still a frequent cause of dysuria.
• Yeast infection: Can affect the penis and cause burning or irritation during urination.
• Chemical urethritis: Products like soaps or lubricants that irritate the urethra.
• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland, which can cause pain during urination and ejaculation.
• Epididymitis: Inflammation of the epididymis (the tube behind the testicle), often caused by infection.
• Urinary tract obstruction: An enlarged prostate, kidney stone, tumor, or scar tissue can restrict urine flow and cause discomfort.

Certain health conditions may also be related to dysuria. When the immune system is weakened, such as in cases of diabetes, pregnancy, autoimmune disease, HIV, or cancer, you may be more susceptible to certain causes of urinary pain, such as urinary tract infections and yeast infections. You may also be more vulnerable to contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

Other causes of dysuria, such as atrophic urethritis and an enlarged prostate, may be related to hormonal changes and aging.

Because dysuria has many possible causes, a healthcare provider will typically review your symptoms, health history, and risk factors before recommending testing. Most evaluations include a urine sample to check for infection. Depending on your symptoms, a provider may also collect a vaginal or cervical swab (in women), a urethral swab (in men), or a blood sample.

If you're concerned about STI exposure, the Everlywell At-Home STD Test screens for 5 infections—chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, and hepatitis C—from home. If your result comes back positive, you can connect with a healthcare provider through Everlywell's online STD care platform to discuss next steps, including access to UTI treatment and herpes treatment online.

If painful urination is accompanied by fever, back or flank pain, abdominal pain, or pelvic pain, seek care promptly—these symptoms together may indicate a more serious condition, such as a kidney infection, that requires immediate evaluation.

What is dysuria?

What does dysuria mean? The technical definition of dysuria is “painful urination.” In medical terms, dysuria simply refers to discomfort during urination, which can result from a multitude of causes, including infections transmitted during sexual intercourse (STIs).

How can I stop painful urination?

If you are a woman suffering from dysuria, you can take the Everlywell home STD test for women to check out your suspicions of STI exposure.

If you are a male with dysuria, and you are concerned you may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, you can check privately using the Everlywell at-home STD test for men.

Who is most at risk of getting chlamydia?

When it comes to chlamydia, the most commonly affected age group is people ages 15 to 24 years old [1].

You can use an at-home chlamydia & gonorrhea test from Everlywell to easily check for chlamydia and gonorrhea.