Dysuria: what to do with pain and burning sensation when urinating

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A visit to the doctor is essential.

Physicians call painful, burning urination dysuria Painful urination (dysuria). Most often, burning and pain manifests itself as an inflammation that has arisen somewhere in the urinary tract.

Dysuria is unpleasant, but does not always seem dangerous. Because of this, there may be a temptation to wait - what if it will pass by itself? Indeed, sometimes the symptoms go away on their own. This happens when the inflammation is small and the body is strong enough to fight it.

However, it is not at all a fact that this is your case. Dysuria can be a sign of a serious infection that can lead to organ failure, blood poisoning, and even death.

When to urgently seek help

See a physician, urologist, or urogynecologist immediately if dysuria is accompanied by Painful urination (dysuria). When to see a doctor:

• a sharp rise in temperature;
• tangible pain in the lumbar region;
• the appearance of blood in the urine;
• clouding of urine or the appearance of a sharp unpleasant odor in it;
• unusual discharge from the penis or vagina.

Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if you are pregnant, have an immune system disorder, or have ever had kidney or bladder stones.

If there are no warning signs, and the pain or burning sensation is small, the visit to the doctor can be postponed. Pain or burning sensation during urination for a couple of days. But in any case, it is worth visiting a specialist in order to establish the possible cause of the problem and prevent its recurrence.

This visit is all the more obligatory if the dysuria does not go away in the same couple of days. And especially if the painful sensations intensify.

What are the causes of burning and pain when urinating

Dysuria can be caused by dozens of things. To make a specific diagnosis, the doctor will focus on the results of the examination, prescribed tests, as well as additional symptoms.

Here are the 8 most common causes of Painful urination (dysuria): 10 Causes and Treatment that cause pain and burning when urinating.

1. Urinary tract infection (UTI)

They are usually caused by bacteria that can attack any part of the urinary system - from the kidneys and bladder to the urethra.

UTIs include:

• urethritis (infection of the urethra - urethra);
• cystitis (inflammation of the bladder);
• pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys).

Urinary tract infections are the most common cause of pain and burning sensation when urinating.

Additional symptoms

• Frequent urge to urinate.
• Temperature increase.
• Turbid or reddish (bloody) urine, sometimes foul-smelling.
• Pain in the side or back.

2. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, herpes can also cause inflammation of the urinary tract.

Additional symptoms

They differ depending on the type of infection. For example, herpes causes pimples on the genitals, and gonorrhea and chlamydia are accompanied by itching, swelling, and foul-smelling discharge.

3. Prostatitis

The same bacteria that cause UTIs or STIs can lead to inflammation of the prostate gland. But sometimes prostatitis develops due to congestion caused by sedentary work, low physical activity and bad habits.

Additional symptoms

• Pain in the penis and scrotum.
• Frequent urge to urinate, especially at night.
• Potency problems.
• Painful sensations in the penis after sex (ejaculation).

4. Kidney stones

Stones are hard deposits of salts that form inside the kidneys. Sometimes stones accumulate near the ureter, the tube that carries urine into the bladder. When urinating, the ureter expands to allow fluid to pass through, sharp salt deposits begin to press on it, and pain occurs.

Additional symptoms

• Frequent urination in small portions.
• Tingling pain in the lumbar region.
• The urine is cloudy or tinged with pink.
• Nausea.
• Sometimes the temperature rises.

5. Ovarian cysts

Like kidney stones, ovarian cysts (enlarged cavities filled with fluid) can press on the bladder and cause pain when urinating.

Additional symptoms

• Painful periods.
• Soreness of the mammary glands.
• Dull back pain, drawing pains in the pelvic region.
• Difficulty determining if the bladder is empty after urinating.

6. Thrush (candidiasis)

This is the name of the inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) caused by fungi from the genus Candida. When urine gets on the vaginal mucosa irritated by fungi, it causes burning and pain.

Additional symptoms

• Curdled vaginal discharge.
• Itching of the genitals.
• Redness, swelling of the vulva.

7. Contact with chemical irritants

Irritation of the genitals can also occur if you have allergies or hypersensitivity to certain detergents, fabrics, and hygiene items. Common irritants include:

• perfumed soap or gel for intimate hygiene;
• spermicidal lubricants;
• detergent or fabric softener that you used to wash your underwear;
• sanitary towels and tampons, especially if you forget to change them in time.

Additional symptoms

• Redness, slight swelling of the external genital organs.
• Itching and soreness, which is constant, but worse when urinating.

8. Taking inappropriate medications

Some medications can irritate and inflame the tissues in the bladder.

Additional symptoms

They differ depending on the type of medication. But if you started taking a new drug shortly before the onset of pain during urination, be sure to tell your doctor about it.

How to treat dysuria

Actually, dysuria is not cured. It is just a symptom of this or that disease or disorder. Therapy is needed for the underlying disease, and then the discomfort will go away by itself.

Therefore, therapy always begins with a visit to the doctor. The doctor will determine what caused the pain or burning sensation. And depending on the diagnosis, he will prescribe the treatment Painful urination (dysuria): 10 Causes and Treatment. It can include:

• Antibiotics Antimicrobial drugs are used to treat UTIs, bacterial prostatitis, and a number of sexually transmitted infections. In some cases, such as severe pyelonephritis, the medication will have to be administered intravenously.
• Antifungal agents. They are used for thrush.
• Alpha blockers. These medications relax the muscles around the prostate and can help with prostatitis that is caused by poor lifestyle choices.
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, such as those based on ibuprofen.
• Medications that reduce bladder irritation.

If the pain and burning sensation is caused by the use of inappropriate soap or side effects from taking medication, a urologist or urogynecologist will also identify this. And he will recommend how to quickly get rid of discomfort. For example, he will select an alternative to an irritating drug or advise you to switch to hypoallergenic detergents.

Recommendations may also apply to diet. Some foods have been suggested to irritate the Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Interstitial Cystitis bladder. These include:

• coffee;
• carbonated drinks;
• alcohol;
• tomatoes;
• hot and spicy foods;
• chocolate;
• citrus juices and drinks;
• foods high in monosodium glutamate - soy sauce, chips, instant noodles, bouillon cubes.

Such food and drinks should be discarded. At least until the symptoms of dysuria disappear.