Pain When Urinating – What Could It Mean?

Helpful Advice from Your Sexual Health

Many people will experience pain during urination at some stage throughout their life and it can be caused by a wide range of medical conditions. However, despite it often affecting the genital area it’s not always associated with an STI. Your Sexual Health have some guidance on other potential causes of pain when urinating so that you can approach your GP with more knowledge of your symptoms.

Pain when urinating as a symptom of an STI

Although not always the case, it’s possible that pain whilst urinating could be caused by a sexually transmitted infection. There are a number of common sexually transmitted infections which may cause the symptom, including: –

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Mycoplasma genitalium
• Genital herpes
• Ureaplasma
• Trichomoniasis

If you believe you’ve come into contact with a particular STI that’s on this list and you’re experiencing pain whilst passing urine, you should get checked. You may also want to get checked if you’ve slept with multiple sexual partners without being tested.

Other causes of painful urination

Despite an STI being the potential cause of painful urination there are also a range of other possibilities. If you’ve taken an STI test and received a negative result, one of these conditions is more likely.

Yeast infection or thrush

A yeast infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of the Candida albican fungus in the vagina. It can cause a number of irritating and unpleasant symptoms, of which pain or burning whilst urinating is often one. Other symptoms include: –

• An itchy vagina
• White discharge
• Swelling of the vagina
• Soreness around the vagina

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

UTI’s are one of the most common causes of pain whilst urinating. They are caused by bacteria infecting the urinary tract through the urethra and can cause a burning sensation whilst passing urine. Other symptoms which may accompany a urinary tract infection include: –

• A more frequent urge to pass urine
• Pain in the lower abdomen or back which is also evident whilst not urinating
• Strange smelling urine of a cloudy or dark colour
• Shaky or tired feeling
• Fever or chills (often a sign that the infection has reached your kidneys)

Sensitivity or irritation to an external substance

One common cause of pain whilst urinating could be the irritation or allergy to an external substance. This could be something directly applied to the vagina or penis, such as a cream, lotion, lubricant or condom. It may also be something which comes into contact with your genital area passively, such as detergent from clothes. These causes will usually pass by avoiding the use of any potential irritant and finding an alternative solution.

Other causes

There may also be a range of other potential causes for pain whilst urinating. Your GP will be able to help you diagnose the cause and offer you the treatment that you require to get you back on the mend. Other potential causes may include: –

• Bladder or Kidney Stones
• Cystitis
• Medication side effect
• Inflammation of the prostate
• Injury or blockage to the urethra

If you’re experiencing pain whilst urinating you should visit your GP to diagnose the potential causes. If you believe that it may be a sexually transmitted infection that’s causing your symptoms why not browse our wide range of test packages and book an appointment at one of our STI clinics to get tested today.