Urination, painful

Alternative names:

dysuria (painful urination); painful urination

Definition:

Pain or discomfort when urinating.

Considerations:

Pain on urination is a fairly common problem. It usually results from an infection somewhere in the urinary tract.

Common causes:

• urinary tract infection (especially cystitis or urethritis caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia)
• interstitial cystitis in women
• candidal dermatitis or vaginitis
• contact dermatitis or vulvitis
• Reiter's syndrome

Note: There may be other causes of painful urination. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for painful urination, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.