Symptoms

Painful urination (dysuria)

Causes

A number of conditions can cause painful urination (dysuria). In women, urinary tract infections are a common cause of painful urination. In men, urethritis and certain prostate conditions are frequent causes of painful urination.

Medical conditions and external factors that can cause painful urination include:

  • Bladder stones
  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
  • Drugs, such as those used in cancer treatment, that have bladder irritation as a side effect
  • Genital herpes
  • Gonorrhea
  • Having a recent urinary tract procedure performed, including use of urologic instruments for testing or treatment
  • Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
  • Kidney stones
  • Prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate)
  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  • Soaps, perfumes and other personal care products
  • Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra)
  • Urethritis (infection of the urethra)
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Vaginitis
  • Yeast infection (vaginal)

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