Painful urination, also called dysuria, is trouble or burning when passing urine. This is usually felt in the tube that carries urine out of the bladder, called the urethra, or the area around the genitals, called the perineum.
A number of conditions can cause painful urination, also called dysuria. In women, urinary tract infections are a common cause. In men, urethritis and certain prostate conditions often cause painful urination.
Make a medical appointment for:
- Painful urination that doesn't go away.
- Fluid coming from the penis or vagina.
- Urine that smells bad, is cloudy or has blood in it.
- Fever.
- Back pain or pain in the side, also called flank pain.
- Passing a stone from the kidney or bladder, also called urinary tract.
Pregnant people should tell a member of their health care team about any pain they have while passing urine.
Show References
- Papadakis MA, et al., eds. Dysuria. In: Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2023. 62nd ed. McGraw Hill.2023. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed April 3, 2023.
- Dysuria. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/symptoms-of-genitourinary-disorders/dysuria#. Accessed April 3, 2023.
- Chaudhari PP. Etiology and evaluation of dysuria in children and adolescents. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 3, 2023.
- Partin AW, et al., eds. Urologic evaluation of the child. In: Campbell Walsh Wein Handbook of Urology. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 3, 2023.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/painful-urination/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050772