Painful urination in women is often caused by urinary tract infections. In men, it's frequently caused by urethritis and prostate problems. Other common causes of painful urination include sexually transmitted infections, genital herpes, bladder and kidney stones, and soaps, perfumes, and other personal care products that irritate.

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

  1. Bladder stones
  2. Cervicitis
  3. Chlamydia trachomatis
  4. Cystitis (irritation of the bladder)
  5. Genital herpes
  6. Gonorrhea
  7. Having a recent urinary tract procedure done, including any that used urologic tools for testing or treatment
  8. Interstitial cystitis — also called painful bladder syndrome, a condition that affects the bladder and sometimes causes pelvic pain.
  9. Kidney infection (also called pyelonephritis)
  10. Kidney stones (Hard buildups of minerals and salt that form inside the kidneys.)
  11. Medicines, such as those used in cancer treatment, that can irritate the bladder as a side effect
  12. Prostatitis (Infection or inflammation of the prostate.)
  13. Reactive arthritis
  14. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  15. Soaps, perfumes and other personal care products
  16. Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra)
  17. Urethritis (infection of the urethra)
  18. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  19. Vaginitis
  20. Yeast infection (vaginal)

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.