Causes of Painful Urination
A discomfort or pain or burning sensation during urination is often referred to as painful urination. The pain may stem from urethra, perineum, bladder. Though pain during urination is common, it can be due to a number of medical conditions.
• Sexually Transmitted Infection
STIs affect the urinary tract and can cause burning or pain at the time of urination. Common STIs that are a cause of painful urination are- gonorrhoea, chlamydia and genital herpes.
• Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate is caused because of swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland. It can often lead to pain during urination.
• Urinary Tract Infection
When excessive bacteria build up in the urinary tract it can cause UTI. Though UTI is common among women, men can be susceptible too.
Sometimes calcified deposits of natural material are formed inside the kidney, these are called kidney stones. When urine gets concentrated, the minerals crystallise and collect together to form stones. These stones then deposit near the ureter, blocking the flow of urine and causing pain.
Abnormal cell development in the bladder is a cause of bladder cancer. Delayed treatment can further damage tissues and spread to other organs. A typical symptom of bladder cancer is painful urination.
• Medications
Many medicines bring along with them certain side effects. It is important that you speak to your doctor about any such side effects and how to reduce them.
Prevention
The causes of painful urination are many, but fortunately, most of them are treatable. Sometimes simple changes in lifestyle can relieve you from the discomfort, such as:
- Avoid using scented laundry detergents and toiletries
- Make sure you use a condom when indulging in sexual intercourse
- Climate food that irritates the bladder, for instance, alcohol, caffeine, spicy food etc
If these remedies do not help and the problem persists, then you must not delay meeting a doctor. If it is a serious problem, early detection can greatly improve the chances of a complete recovery.
