Painful urination (dysuria) is discomfort or burning with urination, usually felt in the tube that carries urine out of your bladder (urethra) or the area surrounding your genitals (perineum).

A number of conditions can cause painful urination (dysuria). In women, urinary tract infections are a common cause of painful urination. In men, urethritis and certain prostate conditions are frequent causes of painful urination.

Medical conditions and external factors that can cause painful urination include:

• Bladder stones
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
• Drugs, such as those used in cancer treatment, that have bladder irritation as a side effect
• Genital herpes
• Gonorrhea
• Having a recent urinary tract procedure performed, including use of urologic instruments for testing or treatment
• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• Kidney stones
• Prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate)
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Soaps, perfumes and other personal care products
• Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra)
• Urethritis (infection of the urethra)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Vaginitis
• Yeast infection (vaginal)

Contact your doctor or make an appointment if:

• Your painful urination persists
• You have drainage or discharge from your penis or vagina
• Your urine is foul-smelling or cloudy, or you see blood in your urine
• You have a fever
• You have back pain or pain in your side (flank pain)
• You pass a kidney or bladder (urinary tract) stone

If you're pregnant, tell your doctor about any pain you have when you urinate.