Why do I have pain or burning during urination?

Pain or burning during urination is often a symptom of urethritis, an inflammation of the urethra—the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Urethritis can be caused by several factors, most commonly sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea or chlamydia. However, it can also result from non-infectious causes, such as irritation from chemical products (e.g., spermicides, antiseptics) or injury caused by medical instruments like urinary catheters.

Other symptoms of urethritis include:

• A frequent or urgent need to urinate, even if only a small amount is passed
• Redness, irritation, itching, stinging, or swelling around the urethra
• Discharge from the urethra, which may be brown, green, white, yellow, or clear
• Pain during intercourse (particularly in women) or unusual vaginal discharge

Causes of urethritis

While sexually transmitted infections are the most common cause of urethritis, there are other causes too.

Infectious causes: Urethritis is most often caused by STIs like gonorrhea or chlamydia, but other bacteria such as Mycoplasma, or a parasite called Trichomonas, can also cause infection. Certain viruses can also cause urethritis.

Non-infectious causes: Exposure to chemicals like spermicides or antiseptics, or trauma from catheter use, tight clothing, or sexual activity, can also lead to urethritis. It can also be caused by some activities like bicycling and horseback riding. In some cases, conditions like reactive arthritis can cause sterile urethritis, which is not caused by an infection.

Related questions

• Meloxicam vs Ibuprofen: What's the difference?
• Aleve vs Ibuprofen: What's the difference?
• Naproxen vs ibuprofen: What's the difference?

How is urethritis treated?

Treatment of urethritis depends on the underlying cause. After evaluation, your healthcare provider can recommend an appropriate treatment. Symptoms generally get better on their own with time, but it is important to get evaluated by a healthcare provider to avoid potential complications.

Antibiotics: For infectious urethritis caused by bacteria, antibiotics are the primary treatment. It's important to complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection or development of complications.

Non-infectious treatment: If urethritis is caused by irritation or trauma, treatment involves avoiding the irritants and allowing the inflammation to subside. Over-the-counter pain relief and increased fluid intake can help ease symptoms.

Sexual partner treatment: It is important that sexual partners are also treated to prevent reinfection, especially if the urethritis is caused by an STI.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience persistent pain or burning during urination, especially if accompanied by fever, chills, or discharge, it’s important to seek medical attention.

Left untreated, urethritis can lead to more serious complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women or swollen testicles in men, which can affect fertility.