There are some things in life that we tend to ignore unless we find something bothersome about them. For instance, urine. When was the last time you thought of something like urination? Our guess: when you felt pain or discomfort like a burning sensation when urinating.
Most of us can relate to the burning sensation after urinating. However common, it is a serious health concern that we must not ignore. In this article, Dr Shalabh Agrawal, the best urologist in Gurgaon, talks about the reason for pain during and after urination.
What is dysuria?
- Dysuria is a urological health concern in which a person feels burning and pain when urinating or after urination at the opening of the urethra (the tube that carries urine for removal from the body).
- The intensity or severity of painful urination is different for everyone. However, the burning sensation after urinating is often described as a sharp sting.
- The discomfort caused by dysuria is often a sign of some other underlying condition. It is often considered a symptom rather than a condition in itself.
What are the symptoms of dysuria?
Here are some of the common symptoms of dysuria in women and men.
In Women
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Change in urine colour (cloudy, dark, or tea-coloured)
- Blood in urine (haematuria)
- Foul-smelling urine
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Vaginal discharge (thick, watery, or foul-smelling)
- Itching or irritation around the vaginal area
- Painful intercourse
- Pelvic or lower abdominal pain/pressure
In Men
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Change in urine colour or cloudy urine
- Blood in urine
- Foul-smelling urine
- Urinary urgency or difficulty starting urination
- Penile discharge (common with urethritis or STIs)
- Pain in the testicles or scrotal swelling (epididymitis)
- Pelvic or perineal pain (prostatitis)
- Weak urine stream or incomplete emptying (linked to prostate conditions)
- Fever, chills, or night sweats
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Pain in the lower back, sides, or groin (may suggest kidney infection or stones)
- Swelling or redness in the genital area
What causes pain when urinating?
Dysuria occurs when the urinary tract suffers from inflammation, injury or infections. There is a wide range of conditions that cause pain during urination by harming the urinary system.
For Women:
- Vaginitis: Conditions like yeast infections (Candida overgrowth), bacterial vaginosis, or trichomoniasis can irritate the vaginal tissues and urethra, leading to burning sensation while urinating, itching, and abnormal discharge.
- Menopause (Urethral Atrophy): Reduced oestrogen levels cause thinning and dryness of vaginal and urethral tissues. This makes women more prone to irritation, infections, and pain while peeing, especially post-menopause.
- Irritation from Feminine Products: Scented soaps, bubble baths, vaginal sprays, and sanitary products can trigger allergic reactions or chemical irritation, causing slight burning after urination or discomfort without infection.
For Men:
- Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate can cause pelvic pain, frequent urination, a weak urine stream, and a burning sensation when urinating. It may be bacterial or non-bacterial.
- Epididymitis: Infection/inflammation of the epididymis, often linked to UTIs or STIs, can cause scrotal swelling, tenderness, and pain during urination.
- Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra, commonly due to STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhea, leads to burning micturition, discharge, and discomfort at the tip of the penis.
What are the complications of painful urination?
A burning sensation when urinating is an indicator of some other health condition. If this symptom is ignored, you cannot get proper treatment for the root cause.
Pain during urination can lead to various complications such as chronic pain, sepsis (a blood infection), infertility and spread of numerous other infections.
When to seek medical help for dysuria?
While mild burning or discomfort during urination may sometimes resolve on its own, certain warning signs should never be ignored. These symptoms may indicate that the problem is more serious and requires urgent medical care:
- Fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting: These are not typical of a simple bladder infection. They often suggest that the infection has spread to the kidneys (pyelonephritis), which can be dangerous if left untreated.
- Back or flank pain: Pain felt in your lower back or sides, just below the ribs, may indicate kidney involvement or stones blocking the urinary tract. This needs prompt evaluation.
- Blood in urine (haematuria): Seeing blood, either visibly red or as tea/cola-coloured urine, can signal urinary stones, severe infections, or bladder-related conditions that require further testing.
- Persistent or worsening burning sensation: If symptoms continue for more than a couple of days despite drinking fluids and self-care, or if the pain intensifies, it is important to see a doctor to rule out underlying causes like STIs, chronic bladder conditions, or resistant infections.
How do doctors diagnose burning sensations when urinating?
Your healthcare provider will do preliminary investigations to find the cause of painful urination. He/she will discuss your personal medical history and symptoms. It is helpful to track symptoms if the burning and pain when urinating has lasted for a long time.
Your urologist or gynaecologist will perform some basic diagnostic tests. You can expect to have blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound scans and X-rays. You may be indicated for additional tests depending upon your overall health.
The diagnosis is drawn to figure out the dysuria causes.
What is the treatment for pain during and after urination?
The treatment module is dependent upon the reason behind dysuria. The accuracy of the diagnosis can help your doctor decide which treatment method to offer.
1. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- UTIs are most often treated with oral antibiotics.
- Common choices include nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or fosfomycin.
- In most women, the course lasts 3–7 days.
- In men or people with recurrent infections, the course is usually longer to ensure the infection is fully cleared.
2. Vaginitis
Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina due to infections or an imbalance of natural bacteria/yeast. Treatment depends on the type:
- Yeast infection (Candida): Treated with antifungal creams/suppositories (like clotrimazole, miconazole) or a single-dose oral antifungal (fluconazole).
- Bacterial vaginosis: Managed with oral or vaginal antibiotics such as metronidazole or clindamycin.
- Trichomoniasis (parasitic infection): Treated with a single oral dose of metronidazole or tinidazole.
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
STIs that cause burning urination are treated with targeted medicines:
- Chlamydia: Doxycycline taken for 7 days.
- Gonorrhoea: A combination therapy with a ceftriaxone injection plus doxycycline tablets.
- Genital herpes: Managed with antiviral drugs like acyclovir or valacyclovir, which reduce outbreaks and discomfort (not a permanent cure).
4. Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder Pain Syndrome)
This is a chronic condition where no infection is found but bladder pain and frequent urination persist. Management includes:
- Dietary changes: Avoid caffeine, alcohol, acidic or spicy foods which worsen symptoms.
- Bladder training: Techniques to gradually increase the time between urination.
- Medications: Such as pentosan polysulfate sodium (to protect the bladder lining), antihistamines, or low-dose tricyclic antidepressants for pain relief.
5. Menopause-Related Symptoms
In postmenopausal women, reduced oestrogen levels can cause thinning and dryness of the vaginal and urethral tissues, leading to burning or pain while urinating.
Treatment may include oestrogen therapy:
- Topical oestrogen creams, tablets, or vaginal rings to directly restore tissue health.
- In some cases, systemic oestrogen therapy is advised if symptoms are more widespread.
Note: The above is a general overview of dysuria treatment. Do not self-medicate. Your doctor will prescribe you the right treatment plan as per your unique health condition.
Prevention Tips for Dysuria
- UTI Prevention:
- Drink plenty of water to flush bacteria.
- Urinate frequently and empty bladder completely.
- Wipe front to back after using the toilet.
- Urinate soon after sexual intercourse.
- STI Prevention:
- Practice safe sex (condoms, dental dams).
- Regular STI screening if sexually active with multiple partners.
- Limit high-risk sexual behaviours.
- General Tips:
- Avoid holding urine for long periods.
- Maintain good genital hygiene.
- Avoid scented feminine products or harsh soaps.
Self-Care / Home Remedies for Symptom Relief
- Hydration: Drinking 8–10 glasses of water daily dilutes urine and eases burning.
- Avoid Irritants: Limit caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic drinks (like citrus, carbonated beverages), which worsen bladder irritation.
- Warm Compresses / Sitz Baths: Relieve lower abdominal or bladder discomfort.
- OTC Pain Relief: Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help reduce pain while waiting for medical evaluation.
- Cranberry Products (supportive): May help reduce risk of UTIs in some women (not a treatment, but a preventive measure).
The concluding note
It is highly normal to feel a burning sensation when urinating once in a while. If you continue to experience painful urination along with other symptoms, then you should seek clinical care.
You can book an appointment with Dr Shalabh Agrawal, a senior urologist at the CK Birla Hospital, to learn more about the health of the urinary tract.
FAQs
Ques: How can I prevent the burning sensation when urinating?
Ans: You can prevent burning sensation when urinating (dysuria) by drinking plenty of water, increasing your intake of Vitamin C and passing urine whenever the need arises.
Ques: What complications can arise if I don’t address dysuria?
Ans: Untreated dysuria can further cause chronic pain, sepsis (a blood infection), infertility and spread of numerous other infections.
Ques: When should I seek medical help for burning sensation when urinating?
Ans: You should consult a medical expert if you see blood in the urine or have a high-grade fever along with persistent painful urination.
Ques: How can I avoid UTI?
Ans: You can avoid UTI by staying hydrated, restricting your consumption of caffeine, maintaining hygiene and completely emptying your bladder every time you pass urine.
