Menu Healthy Lifestyle Diseases & Conditions First Aid Symptoms Tests & Procedures Videos Definitions FAQs Painful urination (dysuria)Updated: 2020-10-20DefinitionPainful urination (dysuria) is discomfort or burning with urination, usually felt in the tube that carries urine out of your bladder (urethra) or the area surrounding your genitals (perineum).CausesA 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 effectGenital herpes Gonorrhea Having a recent urinary tract procedure performed, including use of urologic instruments for testing or treatmentKidney infection (pyelonephritis)Kidney stones Prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate)Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) Soaps, perfumes and other personal care productsUrethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra)Urethritis (infection of the urethra)Urinary tract infection (UTI) Vaginitis Yeast infection (vaginal) When to see a doctorContact your doctor or make an appointment if: Your painful urination persists You have drainage or discharge from your penis or vagina Your urine is foul-smelling or cloudy, or you see blood in your urine You have a fever You have back pain or pain in your side (flank pain) You pass a kidney or bladder (urinary tract) stone If you're pregnant, tell your doctor about any pain you have when you urinate. © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use