Do you experience pain when urinating? There can be many reasons that cause painful urination. While some get better with lifestyle modification or home treatments, others need early medical attention to avoid complications. Learn what causes painful peeing and when to seek help in this article. If you want to know more about urological health, visit us at Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center and consult with the best nephrologists and urologists in East New York.
Painful Peeing: Causes
Many different conditions can cause painful peeing. The most common ones are:
- UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections):
This infection occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and start affecting the urinary tract (including the bladder, kidneys, or ureters). Bacteria can enter into the urethra, vagina, or the ureters. You may experience pain while passing urine along with other symptoms like:
- Feeling tired or shaky.
- Fever.
- Cloudy urine with a foul smell. Sometimes you may see blood in the urine.
- Pain in the back or sides.
- Pressure in the lower abdomen.
- Strong urge to pee frequently.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs):
Several STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and trichomoniasis can affect your urinary tract and lead to pain when urinating. Depending on the STI you have, you may experience additional symptoms, which may include:
- Anal bleeding, itching, or soreness.
- Fever.
- Abdominal pain.
- Frequent urination.
- Genital sores or warts.
- Itching or redness around the genitals.
- Blisters or sores in or around the mouth.
- Abnormal vaginal odor or discharge from the vagina.
- Cystitis:
It is also known as inflammation of the bladder, which can be caused by many factors. In most cases, bacterial infection causes cystitis. It can upset the bladder lining, which leads to inflammation and pain while peeing. The bladder inflammation that’s long-lasting and difficult to treat is called interstitial cystitis (IC). It can cause pain/hurt when the bladder is filled with urine, which means peeing provides relief. Some people may also experience pelvic pain and pain during sex.
- Irritant contact dermatitis:
This condition causes skin inflammation, redness, or soreness after contacting a substance like detergent, fabric softeners, or soaps. You may develop a rash near the genital area if you use an irritant near or on it. This condition may lead to burning or pain during urination or itching.
- Kidney infection:
Kidney infections can occur when a UTI travels to either one or both of your kidneys. This causes pain during urination and sometimes blood in the urine and back pain. Other symptoms you may experience are – fever, chills, and abdominal pain.
- Kidney stones:
These stones develop from calcium or uric acid deposits in the kidneys. These stones may cause no symptoms and pass unnoticed when you pee. But sometimes they can lodge near the area where the urine enters the bladder or irritate the bladder lining, which can cause painful urination. Additionally, you can also experience the following symptoms:
- Pain in the side and back
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Urinating in smaller amounts but more frequently
- Cloudy urine
- Pink or brown-tinted urine
- Ovarian cysts:
These are fluid-filled sacs that develop in or on the ovaries and are mostly benign (non-cancerous). However, if they occur in the area over the bladder and press on it, it causes painful urination. They mostly occur when people ovulate during their childbearing years and get better without treatment. They can develop on one or both ovaries and sit on either side of the bladder. Besides painful urination, you may also experience symptoms like:
- Bloating
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pelvic pain
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Breast tenderness
- Painful periods
- Difficulty identifying whether your bladder’s empty or not after urinating
- Vaginal infection:
This is also known as vaginitis or vaginosis. It occurs when bacteria or yeast infects the vagina and affects its lining. It can also be caused by an STI. Besides painful urination, you may experience:
- Foul-smelling or unusual vaginal discharge
- Pain during intercourse
- Vaginal bleeding, usually mild
- Vaginal irritation
- Medication:
Certain medications such as those that treat bladder cancer may lead to painful urination because they can cause irritation and inflammation of the tissues that line the bladder. Make sure you don’t stop medications without consulting with your doctor first. They may adjust or change your prescription to avoid that side effect.
Other conditions that cause painful peeing may include vaginal tears, bladder cancer, chemical sensitivity, etc.
When to seek help?
Painful urination may occur from time to time and can be managed with some lifestyle modification. However, if your pain is consistent and you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see the doctor:
- Blood in the urine, which appears pink, brown, or red.
- Pain in the side or back.
- Pain that lasts longer than 24 hours.
- Unusual discharge from the vagina.
- Fever.
In case an adult has a fever that is higher than 103°F, then seek immediate medical attention. A person should not ignore pain when urinating and seek a doctor’s help to identify treatments to manage pain.
Painful peeing is a sign of many conditions and factors. While sometimes it gets better with home treatments and lifestyle modifications, in other cases it needs medical attention. Remember the symptoms mentioned above to seek medical help for painful urination.
Need help with painful urination, visit our gynecology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!! At Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center, our team of urologists will work with you in managing your disease and your quality of life. We also offer services, such as renal and bladder ultrasound. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call +1-718-367-2555. You can also visit our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com/.
