Why does it burn when I pee? Conditions that cause painful urination
If you experience discomfort or a burning sensation while peeing, you may be a bit worried. Is this a UTI? Could a sexually transmitted infection or disease (STI/STD) be the cause of the burning?
Painful urination – or dysuria – can be uncomfortable and concerning, but a burning sensation while peeing is a symptom of several common and easy-to-treat conditions. Let’s take a look at some conditions that cause dysuria.
What is the cause of your dysuria?
Dysuria is the medical term that’s used to describe discomfort, pain or a burning sensation while urinating. To figure out what may be causing your dysuria, it’s important to pinpoint where the discomfort is located. Does it feel internal and seem to radiate from your pelvic region, bladder or vagina? Or is it external and more localized to your genitals and pubic area?
Distinguishing where pain is originating can provide important clues as to whether you may have a condition like a UTI or if you could be having a reaction to something like a scented body wash.
Common causes of painful urination or dysuria
If you rule out that an allergic reaction or general irritation could be behind your discomfort or pain, there are several common medical conditions that could be the source.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection
A frequent urge to go and a burning sensation while peeing are common UTI symptoms. Additionally, if you have a bladder infection, you may experience an uncomfortable feeling in your lower abdomen, and your urine may look cloudy.
While a UTI can be painful and disrupt your life, the good news is that it’s easy to treat. Prescription antibiotics should clear up a bacterial infection, and over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help manage UTI discomfort. You can even treat a UTI online – no in-person appointment or urine sample needed.
Yeast infection
Vaginal itching and inflammation are hallmark symptoms of a yeast infection. Additionally, some women also experience symptoms like external burning while peeing and thick, curd-like discharge. Yeast infections can be spurred by hormone changes around your period, scented bath or personal hygiene products, or even spending the day in a wet swimsuit. Basically, anything that disrupts the balance of bacteria that live in your vagina and vulva can cause yeast to multiply and grow.
You can treat a yeast infection with over-the-counter medications, but these treatments can be messy and must typically be used for several days. If you’re looking for a faster and more convenient way to treat a yeast infection, consider getting a prescription for a one-pill yeast infection treatment online.
STIs/STDs
If you’re sexually active and you’ve ruled out common causes of painful urination like a UTI or yeast infection, the source of your burning could be a sexually transmitted infection. Burning while peeing is a symptom of several common STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and genital herpes.
The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested. Today, it’s easy to test for common STIs, and you can even order an at-home STI test for common STIs and test from the comfort and privacy of your home. If you’re diagnosed with an STI, you may also be able to get STI treatment online, including prescription medications.
Understand the cause of your dysuria and get treatment online today
If you’re experiencing burning or pain while peeing, it’s important to understand what’s behind your symptoms. Women may experience these types of symptoms when they have common conditions like a UTI, yeast infection or STI and fortunately, these conditions are relatively easy to diagnose and treat online.
It’s always important to tune in and listen to your body. If your symptoms get worse or are accompanied by other worrisome symptoms like progressing pelvic and abdominal pain or pain in your back on one side, it’s a good idea to be seen in person by a healthcare provider.
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