Pain when urinating in women

Urinary pain has a wide range of possible causes, from minor to potentially serious conditions. Feelings can also vary greatly – from mild discomfort, tingling, burning to severe, excruciating pain.

Pain may be felt at the point where urine exits – inside the urethra, or in the bladder, in the lower abdomen, or behind the pubic bone.

Causes of pain when urinating in women

There are many possible causes of urinary pain among women of all ages.

– As a rule, pain during urination is associated with an inflammatory process in the bladder (cystitis) or on the threshold of the genital tract (vulvovaginitis, colpitis, sexual dysbiosis with bacterial vaginosis), – says urologist Rodion Vasilevsky. – And also after mechanical injuries of the entrance to the vagina after intense sex – the so-called “honeymoon cystitis”.

Inflammation and pain can be caused by sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and genital herpes, as well as other genital infections such as thrush (candidiasis) or bacterial vaginosis. In all these cases, women may feel unwell, feel pain in the lower abdomen or back, urine may look cloudy or smell strongly, sharply or foully.

Pelvic inflammatory disease, a bacterial infection in women, can also provoke pain, which also causes discomfort in the lower abdomen and general malaise.

There are other causes of pain when urinating.

• Irritation. Chemicals in perfumed soaps, toiletries, lubricants, condoms, and feminine hygiene products can cause irritation and, as a result, pain. Poorly selected contraceptives (candles, creams), and even pills can also cause a problem.
• aseptic inflammation. Interstitial cystitis, also known as irritable bladder syndrome, is a painful inflammation of the bladder that is not caused by an infection.
• Menopause. Hormonal changes during menopause, leading to dryness and thinning of the vaginal tissue, can also cause tingling or burning when urinating.
• Stones in the kidneys or bladder. Pain can be triggered by kidney stones that get stuck in the kidney or ureter, causing a blockage or infection. Bladder stones can also become irritants.

Symptoms of urinary pain in women

Sometimes painful urination comes and goes on its own. In other cases, it’s a sign of a more serious problem. If a woman has any of the following symptoms, along with painful urination, she should see her doctor:

• various discharges from the urethra or vagina;
• blood in the urine;
• cloudy or bad-smelling urine;
• heat;
• pain in the back, lower abdomen, which lasts more than a day;
• back or side pain.

It is also worth seeing a doctor if a woman is pregnant and experiencing painful urination.

Treatment of urinary pain in women

Treatment will depend on the cause that causes pain when urinating. An accurate diagnosis can be made by a therapist, urologist or gynecologist.

Diagnostics

In order for the doctor to make the correct diagnosis, it is important to tell him:

• any symptoms and how long they last;
• about any diseases that have been identified, such as diabetes or AIDS;
• about pregnancy or missed periods;
• if you have recently had any procedures or operations on the urinary tract;
• if the woman was recently hospitalized (less than 1 month ago) or was in a nursing home;
• if the woman has had repeated urinary tract infections;
• if pain medications were used.

If a urinary tract infection is suspected, the doctor will order a urine test to check for pathogens. If you suspect stones, you will need an ultrasound of the kidneys or bladder. If you suspect a vaginal infection, you may need to consult a gynecologist and swabs for the presence of yeast or other microorganisms.

Other possible tests include:

• tests for sexually transmitted infections;
• x-rays to detect kidney stones or abnormal growths;
• cystoscopy, in which a thin, flexible tube is passed through the urethra into the bladder to look for possible causes of pain.

Modern treatments

Remedies for urinary pain will vary depending on the cause of the problem. Treatment may include:

• antibiotics for bacterial infections;
• antifungal cream or pessaries for thrush;
• antiviral drugs for viral infections such as genital herpes;
• moisturizers or hormone replacement cream for menopausal symptoms.

For more serious causes such as kidney or bladder stones or cancer, the underlying disease will be treated.

Prevention of pain during urination in women at home

Contact your doctor in a timely manner to identify the cause of the pain and follow the doctor’s recommendations.

Change soaps, condoms, and feminine hygiene products if pain occurs after using them.

Discuss treatment with your doctor if the pain is caused by side effects of medications you have been prescribed.

Popular questions and answers

Answered typical questions about pain when urinating in women urologist Rodion Vasilevsky.