What Are the Causes of Dysuria?

Here are some common causes of dysuria in all adults:

1. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
   • The most common cause of dysuria.
   • You feel a burn while urinating, especially at the end of your urine stream.
   • Can start when any part of the urinary system (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra) is infected. Frequently, the bladder and urethra get infected.
   • More common in women than in men.
   • Caused by bacteria, most commonly E. coli. The bacteria enter the bladder or urethra. The bacteria can spread and may cause a kidney infection.
   • Unpleasant symptoms, such as a constant urge to urinate and a burning sensation, may occur.
2. Yeast infection
   • A burning feeling when peeing is a symptom of vaginal yeast infections, an excess number of yeasts in the vagina. Yeast infections may usually happen in every three out of every four women.
   • Can develop due to antibiotic usage and douching, both of which can disrupt the vagina's natural pH balance and create an environment for yeast to readily grow.
3. Bacterial vaginosis
   • Can present with foul-smelling discharge and a burning sensation while urinating.
   • Occurs when the balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in the vagina is disrupted.
   • The most frequent vaginal disease among women aged 15 to 44 years.
   • Because the symptoms are similar to those of a yeast infection, they are often misdiagnosed. You must see a doctor to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
4. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis
   • Painful urination is one of their bothersome symptoms. STIs can be bacterial, fungal, or viral. The urethra, vulva, and vaginal tissue get inflamed and are particularly sensitive, causing a burning feeling when passing urine.
   • Common in young people and can cause foul-smelling discharge as well.
5. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
   • Prolonged infection of female reproductive organs can result in PID.
   • Occurs when some infections go untreated and spread to the internal organs.
   • Symptoms include discomfort in the abdomen or pelvis, pain while urinating, fever, and fatigue. If you have painful urination along with any of these symptoms, get evaluated by a doctor.
6. Sex-related vaginal tears
   • A sharp, unexpected discomfort when urinating might indicate vaginal inflammation after penetrative intercourse. Small abrasions during intercourse might cause burning and discomfort when urinating.
   • The burn is usually temporary and cures within a day or so.
   • Always pee after sex to flush out germs that may cause a UTI.
7. Hygiene products
   • The vagina has an excellent self-cleaning process to maintain its pH balance and health. The primary purpose of discharge is to keep your vagina clean.
   • Douches or hygiene washes may irritate the vaginal environment, which leads to a burning sensation while urinating.
   • If your skin is susceptible, even aromatic bubble baths might lead to dysuria.
8. Vaginal changes
   • Hormonal changes during menopause can cause atrophic vaginitis or vaginal atrophy. The skin of the vulva and vagina thins down, which can cause painful urination, burning, and irritation.
   • The vaginal tissue is more delicate during the postpartum period, making you more prone to inflammation, leading to dysuria.
9. Kidney stones
   • Can cause severe discomfort in the back and groin along with dysuria. Kidney stones form when salts and minerals in the urine accumulate, solidify, and cling together in the kidneys. This occurs when your urine gets concentrated due to various causes, including dehydration.
   • Drinking enough water throughout the day can help many people reduce their risk of acquiring kidney stones. Some diseases, such as gout, might raise the risk of getting kidney stones, leading to dysuria.
10. Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome
    • Can result in abdominal, bladder, and pelvic discomfort and dysuria. In most cases, the discomfort begins as the bladder becomes full and continues until you let all urine out. You will feel better until the bladder fills up again. Aside from that, you could feel compelled to use the restroom more frequently than usual.
    • The actual cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown. Dehydration, intercourse, and holding the urine aggravate symptoms.
11. Obstructive uropathy
    • The urine does not drain correctly through the urinary system and backs up into the kidneys, causing a blockage.
    • Usually occurs as a result of another health problem, such as kidney stones, or a more serious issue, such as ovarian cancer.
    • Common symptoms may include dysuria, discomfort in the sides of the kidneys, a desire to urinate frequently, slowed urine flow, and a sensation that the bladder is never empty.
    • Consult a doctor immediately if you have these symptoms because the obstruction can damage the bladder and kidney.
12. Medications
    • Some medications can occasionally induce adverse effects, such as dysuria. When these medications irritate the bladder, the body reacts in the same way that a UTI does, resulting in an overactive bladder.
    • If you suspect that your prescription medicine is causing your painful urinating, consult your doctor to detect the cause.
13. Prostate disease
    • Dysuria in men is caused by either prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
    • Chronic pelvic pain syndrome or prostatitis is caused by bacteria or an STI leading to inflammation of the prostate gland. Common symptoms may include dysuria with pain in the bladder, penis, and testicles.
    • BPH causes an enlargement of the prostate gland.
    • Prostatitis and BPH are more frequent in older men.
14. Bladder cancer
    • Painful urination is rarely an indication of cancer.
    • Most commonly causes painful urination because cancer cells cause inflammation.
    • However, blood in the urine is frequently the first indicator of bladder cancer. You may develop a tumor in your urinary system, which can cause pain and dysuria.

Causes of dysuria in children

• Urethral irritation from chemicals found in soaps, bubble baths, and lotions
• Labial adhesions
• Obstructive uropathy
• Bladder infections
• Minor trauma due to activities
• Localized trauma due to sexual abuse

Common risk factors of dysuria

• Female gender
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Enlarged prostate
• Kidney stones
• Bladder disease
• Urinary catheter
• Not using condoms and/or having multiple sexual partners

Dysuria can indicate various underlying medical conditions.

Depending on the cause, you may experience the following:

• Burning or stinging while peeing
• Increased frequency of urination
• A strong, sudden urge to urinate
• Difficulty urinating
• Slow urine stream
• Unpleasant smell in the urine
• Difficulty emptying your bladder completely
• Blood or discolored urine
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Irritability
• Vomiting and nausea
• Lower back pain
• Abdominal pain
• Wetting incidents
• Loss of bladder control
• Itchy vagina or penis
• Upper back pain with fever and chills

A doctor should assess dysuria to initiate treatment. Upper back pain and fever are symptoms of kidney infection and should be treated immediately to avoid further complications.

You should talk to your doctor if you have the following:

• Painful urination along with fever
• Persistent urine sensation
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Long-lasting abdominal pain
• Discharge from the penis or vagina
• Foul-smelling or cloudy-looking urine
• Abdominal, back, or flank pain
• No improvement after three days of treatment
• Trouble peeing because of pain
• Rash or joint pain
• Enlarged painful lymph nodes (lumps) in the groin

A doctor may ask questions about your symptoms and sexual history to establish the reason for painful urination. If they suspect an infection, doctors may order a urinalysis or tests to identify sexually transmitted diseases.

When urine comes into contact with inflamed or irritated tissue, it causes painful urination. The local nerves transmit a pain signal to the brain, alerting you that something is wrong. This discomfort is commonly felt in the urethra (the tube that transports urine from the bladder) or perineum (the region between the anus and genitals).

Dysuria is not related to how frequently you pee. Some may have a health condition that causes them to urinate more frequently than normal along with dysuria.

• The pain or discomfort associated with dysuria can be mild to a severe burning feeling in the urethra. The discomfort might be excruciating for some individuals. 
• Symptoms usually go away following therapy, but in rare situations, this might indicate something more serious. You must see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment for conditions relating to dysuria.

Treatment for dysuria depends on its cause. Dysuria is usually temporary and may not need treatment. If you have persistent symptoms, the doctor may recommend increasing fluid intake and antibiotics.

Depending on the underlying cause, treatment options for dysuria may include:

• Antibiotics
• Antifungal medication
• Alpha-blockers
• Increase in hydration
• Hormonal replacement therapy
• Surgery
• Botox injections into the bladder to relax the muscle
• Implanting a nerve stimulator under the skin to improve muscle control

Dysuria treatment is determined by the source of the symptoms (pain or burning sensation). The doctor will first want to investigate if the painful urination is due to infection, inflammation, dietary intake, or bladder or prostate problems and recommend treatment options.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle and hygiene to prevent dysuria. Keeping your urinary tract healthy by avoiding irritants can prevent dysuria.

• Practice safe sex and maintain hygiene
  • To avoid contracting any sexually transmitted infections that cause dysuria, you should practice safe sex and use condoms.
  • Urinate after having sex to flush out any bacteria.
  • After having sex, ensure the genital areas are cleaned with warm water.
  • Wipe front to back when you are cleaning your genitals.
• Probiotics
  • Are live microorganisms that promote and support the bladder microbiota.
  • Can treat and prevent urinary issues, such as urinary tract infections.
  • Help prevent vaginosis and vaginal yeast infections, both of which can induce dysuria.
• Diet
  • A diet high in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals allows the body to function efficiently, naturally preventing health problems.
  • Avoid processed sugar and carbs, which feed yeast and inflammatory microorganisms in the gut and throughout the body. The quality of your overall diet is important for urinary tract health.
  • Vitamin C boosts immunity by encouraging white blood cell production. Eating vitamin C-rich foods helps fight off infections.
• Stay hydrated
  • Drinking enough water is one of the best ways to avoid dysuria.
  • Staying hydrated helps keep your urinary system healthy and allows you to empty your bladder regularly, which can alleviate some symptoms of dysuria.
• Cranberry supplements
  • Can help improve urinary health. The efficacy of cranberry in combating urinary tract infections is well known. It can alleviate dysuria symptoms immediately.
  • Tannins and polyphenols in cranberries inhibit germs in the urinary system. They may prevent bacteria from attaching to the interior of the bladder or lower urinary tract, preventing colonization and infection.

Dysuria often lasts one to two weeks depending on the severity of the infection or the underlying cause of the problem. A good prognosis is associated with early diagnosis, prompt follow-ups with adequate treatments, and fewer recurrences.