Browse Medications by Everyday Health Concerns: Painful urination

Written by Amar Lunagaria
Pharm.D • NiHowdy Founder

Reviewed by James Wong
Pharm.D • NiHowdy Founder
Updated Jan 27, 2025
•Published Jan 15, 2025

What is Painful urination?
Symptoms of Painful urination
- Burning or stinging sensation during urination
- Sharp or aching pain in the lower abdomen, bladder, or pelvic area
- Frequent urge to urinate, even with little output
- Discomfort or pressure in the bladder or pelvic region
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine, which may indicate infection
What causes Painful urination?
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which cause inflammation and irritation of the urinary tract
- Bladder infections (cystitis), a common type of UTI
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, which can cause painful urination
- Kidney stones, which can irritate the urinary tract and cause pain
- Vaginal infections (in women), such as yeast infections, which can cause irritation and discomfort during urination
- Prostate issues (in men), such as prostatitis, that can lead to pain during urination
- Chemical irritants, like soaps, lotions, or perfumes, that can irritate the urinary tract
Risk factors for Painful urination
- Gender, as women are more prone to urinary tract infections and bladder issues
- Sexual activity, which can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract and increase the risk of infection
- Previous UTIs, which make one more likely to experience recurrent painful urination
- Poor hygiene, which can increase the likelihood of infection
- Dehydration, which can lead to concentrated urine and irritation of the urinary tract
- Chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, which affect the immune system
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How is Painful urination diagnosed?
- Urine test, to check for infections, blood, or abnormal substances in the urine
- Physical exam, to assess for signs of infection or other issues in the pelvic area
- Ultrasound or CT scan, if kidney stones or other obstructions are suspected
- Pelvic exam (for women), to check for vaginal infections or other causes
- Prostate exam (for men), to check for prostate issues
How is Painful urination treated?
- Antibiotics, if a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection is present
- Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to reduce discomfort
- Antiseptic medications, like phenazopyridine, to relieve burning or pain during urination
- Alpha blockers, if prostate issues are contributing to the pain
- Antifungal treatments, if the cause is a vaginal yeast infection
- Hydration, to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract
Medications for Painful urination
Can Painful urination be prevented?
- Stay hydrated, to flush out bacteria and prevent concentrated urine that can irritate the urinary tract
- Practice good hygiene, especially after using the toilet, to prevent infections
- Urinate after sexual activity, to help flush out bacteria from the urinary tract
- Avoid irritating substances, such as harsh soaps, bubble baths, or scented products
- Wear cotton underwear, which allows the area to stay dry and prevents bacterial growth
Managing Painful urination at home
- Drinking plenty of water to flush out toxins and bacteria from your system
- Taking warm baths to soothe the pelvic area and reduce discomfort
- Using a heating pad on the lower abdomen to ease pain
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to manage pain
When should you seek help for Painful urination?
- Painful urination persists for more than a day or two
- You notice blood in your urine or it turns cloudy
- You experience severe pain or fever, which could indicate a more serious infection
- You feel a strong urgency to urinate frequently but can't pass much urine
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