Dysuria is the feeling of pain, burning, or discomfort upon urination. Although dysuria frequently indicates the presence of a urinary tract infection (UTI), it can have a variety of causes. Symptoms occur more commonly in women, especially in young women and people who are sexually active. Most of the time, dysuria will be caused by a simple urinary tract infection, but a complete evaluation by a health-care professional is necessary for proper diagnosis, especially if the symptoms reoccur.
DYSURIA CAUSES
Infection of the urinary tract (urethra, bladder, or kidneys) is the most common cause of dysuria. The most common type of infections are cystitis (bladder infection), pyelonephritis (kidney infection), prostatitis (prostate infection), and urethritis (inflammation of the tube, the urethra, that drains the bladder to the outside of the body). Sexually transmitted diseases can also produce symptoms of dysuria.
OTHER CAUSES OF DYSURIA INCLUDE:
• Trauma: local injury or irritation due to catheter placement or sexual contact.
• Anatomic obstructions/malformations: obstruction due to an enlarged prostate or urethral stricture.
• Pain due to external lesions on the genitalia: Urine touching the lesion causes pain.
• External irritation or reaction: frequent douching or application of irritating/allergenic products.
• Hormonal: postmenopausal effects.
• Neurologic conditions: any nerve conditions that cause difficulty with bladder emptying.
• Cancer: kidney tumor, bladder, prostate, vaginal/vulvar, or penile cancer.
• Medical conditions: diabetes mellitus and other chronic conditions that suppress the immune system.
MEDICATIONS
Your medical professional will chose the optimal medication for your condition. If it is an infection, will be prescribed and you should take the full course of the medication, even if you feel better.
PREVENTION
Urinating at bedtime and after sexual intercourse, not holding urine for an excessive amount of time, and good hygiene can decrease the chances of developing a urinary tract infection. Of note, these are only helpful hints as they will not guarantee prevention. Avoid any irritating product on the outside of your genitals if you are experiencing dysuria.
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE
Any patient experiencing symptoms of dysuria should seek medical attention.
DYSURIA CAUSES
Infection of the urinary tract (urethra, bladder, or kidneys) is the most common cause of dysuria. The most common type of infections are cystitis (bladder infection), pyelonephritis (kidney infection), prostatitis (prostate infection), and urethritis (inflammation of the tube, the urethra, that drains the bladder to the outside of the body). Sexually transmitted diseases can also produce symptoms of dysuria.
OTHER CAUSES OF DYSURIA INCLUDE:
• Trauma: local injury or irritation due to catheter placement or sexual contact.
• Anatomic obstructions/malformations: obstruction due to an enlarged prostate or urethral stricture.
• Pain due to external lesions on the genitalia: Urine touching the lesion causes pain.
• External irritation or reaction: frequent douching or application of irritating/allergenic products.
• Hormonal: postmenopausal effects.
• Neurologic conditions: any nerve conditions that cause difficulty with bladder emptying.
• Cancer: kidney tumor, bladder, prostate, vaginal/vulvar, or penile cancer.
• Medical conditions: diabetes mellitus and other chronic conditions that suppress the immune system.
MEDICATIONS
Your medical professional will chose the optimal medication for your condition. If it is an infection, will be prescribed and you should take the full course of the medication, even if you feel better.
PREVENTION
Urinating at bedtime and after sexual intercourse, not holding urine for an excessive amount of time, and good hygiene can decrease the chances of developing a urinary tract infection. Of note, these are only helpful hints as they will not guarantee prevention. Avoid any irritating product on the outside of your genitals if you are experiencing dysuria.
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE
Any patient experiencing symptoms of dysuria should seek medical attention.