AfterOurs Clinics - Colorado
AfterOurs Clinics - Colorado

Dysuria

Female doctor holding digital tablet and wearing safety protective mask while talking to senior woman about medical report

If you feel the sensation of burning or pain while urinating (peeing), then you can be suffering from a condition called dysuria. This condition is very common and can have numerous underlying causes which will be discussed below.

In many cases, dysuria will not resolve without treatment from a healthcare professional.

What is dysuria?

Dysuria is the sensation of discomfort while urinating or difficulty urinating. Although dysuria may indicate the presence of a urinary tract infection (UTI), there can be other causative factors as well.

A medical practitioner can properly diagnose the issue and start necessary treatment. Recurring or ongoingd ysuria can lead to serious health issues if not properly treated.

Causes

Infection of the urinary tract which includes the bladder, kidneys, or urethra is a common cause of dysuria. However, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also lead to dysuria. Other causes include:

  • Obstruction due to enlarged prostate
  • Hormonal imbalance as observed during menopause
  • Cancer of the urethra, bladder, prostate, vagina
  • Diabetes
  • Pain caused by external lesions on the genitalia area
  • External irritation or frequent itching
  • Vaginal inflammation
  • Dehydration

Symptoms

The most obvious symptoms of dysuria are as follows:

  • Burning while urinating
  • Frequent urination
  • Feeling an urgent need to urinate

In some cases there can be also:

  • Presence of blood in the urine
  • Itching
  • Colored vaginal discharge

These symptoms may be an indication of a medical condition that requires treatment.

Treatment options

The treatment for dysuria depends on the diagnosis or cause that has been identified by your medical practitioner

The first and main step in the treatment is to determine if the painful urination is caused due to infection, dietary factors, or inflammation. Additionally, is the dysuria due to a problem affecting the bladder, prostate or other organ

In case of infections, the general practice is to prescribe antibiotics for the most common causative agent – a bacteria called Escherichia Coli (E. Coli). In this case, your practitioner will frequently get a sample of your urine to send for a culture. The culture will help determine whether the antibiotics you have been given are the correct ones.

There are several steps a person can take to address the pain and discomfort of dysuria. One step is to drink water and stay hydrated. There are also over-the-counter medicines that target dysuria symptom relief.

To prevent urinary tract infections, make sure the genital area is kept clean and dry. No soaps, douches, or other harsh chemicals should be used on or near the genital area as this may lead to more discomfort.

Contact us

In case of urgent medical care assistance, AfterOurs Urgent Care offers immediate telemedicine services through telemedicine appointments, where medical providers are available to offer assistance. Anyone who experiences signs and symptoms requiring urgent medical attention can simply book their appointment with AfterOurs Urgent Care to directly talk to an expert. If your medical issue is not appropriate for telemedicine, we will let you know and refer you to an in-person facility.

When to visit a doctor:

If you notice burning or pain while urinating, you may see a medical provider in order to avoid possible serious complications.

Treatment for dysuria is available at AfterOurs Urgent Care.