Urination Pain - Male

Definition

Discomfort (pain, burning or stinging) when passing urine
May include urgency (can't wait) and frequency (passing small amounts) of urination

General Information

All males with painful urination need to be examined and get testing to see if an infection is present.

Common Causes of Painful Urination

Urinary Tract Infection: Urinary tract infections (e.g., bladder infection, prostatitis) are the most common cause of painful urination.
Sexually Transmitted Disease: Sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., gonorrhea, chlamydia) can also cause painful urination. Most men with this type of infection will describe a clear-white to light yellow discharge from the penis. The two main organisms that can cause this are Gonnorhea and Chlamydia.
In younger men, it is more likely that a sexually transmitted disease is causing the pain with urination. In older men, a bladder infection or prostatitis is more likely.

You feel weak or very sick
Severe pain
Unable to urinate (or only a few drops) and your bladder feels very full
Fever of 100.5° F (38.1° C) or higher
Shaking chills
Side (flank) or back pain is present
Abdominal pain is present
Pain or swelling in scrotum
Have diabetes mellitus or a weakened immune system (e.g., HIV positive, cancer chemotherapy, chronic steroid treatment, splenectomy)
Are bedridden (e.g., nursing home patient, stroke, chronic illness, recovering from surgery)
Are a transplant patient (e.g., liver, heart, lung, kidney)

Fluids: Drink extra fluids (Reason: to produce a dilute, non-irritating urine).
Call Your Doctor If:
- You become worse

Author: David A. Thompson, M.D.
Last reviewed: 9/15/2011
Last revised: 4/17/2010 2:33:53 PM