Written by Mr Jai Seth, Consultant Urological Surgeon
Specialist in bladder, prostate and urinary health, London · Full biography · Publications
Experiencing pain, burning, or stinging when you urinate can be alarming and uncomfortable. This symptom, medically known as dysuria, is one of the most common reasons people seek urological help. Understanding the potential causes can help you get the right treatment faster.
Common Causes of Painful Urination
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): The most common cause of painful urination, UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract. Women are particularly susceptible due to their shorter urethra. Symptoms often include burning when peeing, frequent urination, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and genital herpes can all cause pain during urination along with other symptoms like discharge.
Interstitial Cystitis: Also known as painful bladder syndrome, this chronic condition causes bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes pelvic pain.
Kidney Stones: When stones move through the urinary tract, they can cause intense pain that may be felt during urination.
Prostatitis: In men, inflammation of the prostate gland can cause painful urination along with pelvic pain and difficulty urinating.
Vaginal Infections: In women, yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis can cause discomfort that is felt during urination.
Warning Signs That Need Urgent Attention
Seek immediate medical care if you experience: - Blood in your urine - Fever or chills alongside painful urination - Severe back or side pain - Inability to urinate despite the urge
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. UTIs typically respond well to antibiotics. Interstitial cystitis may require a combination of dietary changes, medications, and bladder treatments. Correct diagnosis — not guesswork — is what makes treatment effective.
Getting checked
Painful urination usually has a clear cause and is almost always treatable. Book a GP appointment if symptoms last more than a day or two, or if they come back after earlier treatment. Ring NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment the same day if the pain is accompanied by a fever, back or flank pain, visible blood in the urine, or difficulty passing urine at all. Go to A&E if you feel unwell, confused, or cannot pass urine. A referral to a urologist — via the NHS or privately — follows where recurrent or complex causes are suspected.