Burning when urinating (dysuria): why it happens and how it can be treated

If you feel pain or a burning sensation when passing urine, you're certainly not alone! According to statistics, two thirds of all women experience discomfort affecting the urinary tract – partly because they're more prone to such problems than men. Urinary tract infections can be one of the causes and are usually the first thing that comes to mind, but there's a whole range of problems that can trigger this sensation.

Read our article to find out what dysuria is – that's the medical term – what other symptoms accompany it, what causes it and how it can be treated.

What is dysuria

Dysuria is that unpleasant sensation of burning, stinging or pain while passing urine. It isn't about how often you need to go to the toilet, but rather the discomfort that urinating causes.

It can occur at any age, in both women and men – though statistics show that women are more frequently affected.

Important to know: dysuria isn't a diagnosis, nor the name of a condition, but a symptom. If it burns when you urinate, your body is signalling that there's an underlying cause that needs treating.

How burning when passing urine presents itself

The burning sensation occurs while passing urine, usually around the urinary canal or in the genital area. You may feel it right at the start of urination or afterwards – as burning, pain, stinging, itching or tingling.

That's how dysuria presents itself in the strictest sense, but it's often accompanied by further symptoms.

Dysuria alongside other symptoms

Depending on the cause, other symptoms may appear alongside dysuria, pointing to various conditions, for example:

• Frequent and/or urgent need to urinate (even though the amount of urine passed is very small)
• Blood in the urine
• Cloudy urine
• Unusual, unpleasant-smelling urine
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Pain in the area of the bladder
• Flank pain or pain in the neck area
• Fever
• Chills

Causes of dysuria (pain when passing urine)

In women, urinary tract infections are the most common cause of dysuria. In men, burning when passing urine is usually caused by problems with the prostate and urethra. There is, however, a wide variety of possible causes – including sexually transmitted infections, kidney stones and others, which you can read more about below.

Urinary tract infections

As the most common cause of discomfort when passing urine, a urinary tract infection can cause pain and discomfort at the end of urination or during it. The infection develops when an excessive number of bacteria enter the bladder, which can lead to the following:

• Irritation of the urethra, which presents as discomfort when passing urine.
• Inflammation of the bladder: commonly known as cystitis (chronic or acute), which causes burning or stinging when passing urine.
• Infection of the kidneys: a more serious inflammation that may be accompanied by back and abdominal pain.

The reason women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections and dysuria lies in the anatomy of the urethra, which is shorter and straighter than in men.

Sexually transmitted infections 

Another fairly common cause of pain when passing urine is sexually transmitted diseases, as many of these infections trigger inflammation in the genital and urinary areas. When the tissues are irritated, burning when passing urine also develops.

Trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, herpes – all of these pathogens can affect the urinary tract and cause dysuria, even when no other symptoms are present. That's why a specialist examination is important, to identify and treat the cause before further complications arise. If you'd like to read more useful information about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, you'll find it all in our article.

Irritation of the urethra

The urethra is the channel through which urine is passed. It begins at the bladder and extends to the external opening, known as the urinary meatus. Its inflammation is called urethritis and in most cases leads to painful and more frequent urination.

The most common cause of urethritis is a bacterial infection. The urethra can also become irritated as a result of sexual activity.

Kidney stones 

Kidney stones usually present as severe, stabbing pain in the back of the abdomen, but they can also be accompanied by pain when passing urine as they travel through the urinary tract.

These "stones" are in fact solid deposits of minerals and salts such as calcium or uric acid that build up in and around the kidneys. Sometimes the stones lodge precisely where urine enters the bladder, causing intense pain when passing urine. If the stones move into the urethra (urethral stricture), they also painfully block the natural flow of urine.

Unsuitable hygiene products

Frequent use of intimate hygiene products containing irritant substances can lead to irritation of the genital area and urethra, making it a common cause of burning and discomfort when passing urine.

This category includes any type of product for the intimate area, including soaps, deodorants, shower gels, toilet paper, bubble bath, laundry detergents and, in particular, menstrual products containing irritant ingredients. Conventional menstrual products can contain up to 90% plastic, as well as fragrances, synthetic fibres, bleaching agents and other chemicals which – once absorbed by the permeable tissue of the intimate area – enter the body and can trigger inflammation and discomfort, including dysuria.

So take good care of your intimate area and treat it to natural care during your period – with organic pads and tampons from Enroush. They're made from 100% organic cotton, with no added toxic chemicals, to help prevent allergic reactions. They're also tested by gynaecologists and dermatologists and recommended for safe menstrual care.

Other conditions 

The points mentioned so far are simply the most common causes of burning when passing urine, but they're not the only ones. Other problems that can cause dysuria include:

• Interstitial cystitis: also known as bladder pain syndrome, it causes chronic irritation of the bladder and pain, but above all a feeling of pressure on the bladder that lasts 6 weeks or longer.
• Vaginitis (in women): irritation of the vulva or vagina, associated with an imbalance in the vaginal flora.
• Prostatitis (in men): inflammation of the prostate, which sits below the bladder and around the urethra. The exact causes aren't known, but bacterial and sexually transmitted infections are among the risk factors.
• Ovarian cysts: similar to kidney stones, they cause pain and a feeling of pressure when they press on the bladder.
• Certain treatments: some cancer medications, for instance, can inflame the bladder tissue and lead to burning when passing urine.

Risk factors for dysuria 

Dysuria can occur in both women and men at any age. The risk of experiencing burning when passing urine is, however, higher in:

• Women: because the urethra is shorter and straighter and lies closer to the anus, making it easier for bacteria to enter.
• Pregnant women: because as the uterus grows, it puts increasing pressure on the bladder.
• Women going through the menopause: falling oestrogen levels also affect urinary tract health and increase susceptibility to infection.
• Sexually active people: because they face a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, particularly without the use of a barrier method.
• People with diabetes
• People with a bladder condition

Burning when passing urine during pregnancy

If you experience burning when passing urine during pregnancy, it's essential to speak to your doctor.

According to statistics, 1 in 10 pregnant women is affected by urinary tract infections – making them the most common type of infection during pregnancy. The reason: your body goes through a series of anatomical and physiological changes that increase susceptibility to urinary tract infections.

The release of progesterone helps relax the smooth muscle, and bladder capacity decreases due to pressure from the enlarged uterus. This can lead to vesicoureteral reflux or residual urine in the bladder – factors that increase the risk of a urinary tract infection. Such infections need to be identified and treated as early as possible, as they can lead to complications for both mother and baby.

Methods of diagnosing dysuria

Dysuria is itself merely a symptom, so your doctor will make a diagnosis of the underlying cause of the burning when passing urine.

The first step involves taking your medical history. Your doctor will ask you questions about current or previous conditions, with particular focus on diabetes as well as bladder or immune system problems. They'll also ask about any ongoing treatments and, where appropriate, take your sexual history to determine whether a sexually transmitted infection may be involved.

After assessing your state of health, your doctor may – depending on the case – recommend the following investigations:

• Screening or tests to detect sexually transmitted diseases, especially if the dysuria is accompanied by unusual discharge.
• A pregnancy test, if there's a possibility of pregnancy.
• A urine test to analyse white and red blood cells as well as any chemical substances present, which can indicate a urinary tract infection and the bacteria causing it.
• Blood tests to identify possible infections.
• An examination of the prostate in men.
• Examination of a swab from the vaginal lining or the urethra in women.

Treatment for pain when passing urine 

Treatment for pain when passing urine depends entirely on the cause, because it's a symptom – not a condition in its own right with a specific therapy. We therefore recommend seeing a specialist rather than simply asking for a quick remedy at the pharmacy, so you can establish precisely whether the burning and discomfort when passing urine is caused by an infection, inflammation or other urinary tract problems – and which treatment is the right one.

Antibiotic treatment for dysuria (burning when passing urine)

For dysuria caused by a urinary tract infection, your doctor will in most cases prescribe antibiotics – depending on the test results.

If the kidneys are affected, antibiotics may be given intravenously. For severe pain, your doctor may recommend phenazopyridine, a medication that turns the urine reddish and can stain clothing.

Antifungal treatment for dysuria (burning when passing urine)

If the dysuria isn't caused by a build-up of bacteria but by a fungal infection, you may be prescribed treatment with antifungals. These are available as tablets to be taken orally or as pessaries.

Preventing burning when passing urine

Burning, stinging and pain when passing urine, as well as discomfort at the end of urination, are highly unpleasant sensations that you'll naturally want to avoid. Here's how you can help prevent the conditions that can trigger dysuria:

• Avoid intimate hygiene and menstrual products containing fragrances, allergens and other toxic chemicals.
• Avoid douching and use an intimate gel with natural ingredients to protect the balance of your vaginal flora.
• Use pads and tampons made from 100% organic cotton, which won't upset the pH balance of your intimate area or increase your susceptibility to genital infections.
• Use a condom every time you have sex to prevent the transmission of infections.
• Dry the vulva with toilet paper after passing urine.
• Drink plenty of fluids to dilute the urine and help flush bacteria out of the urinary tract.

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