Stinging Pain in Urethra Male: 6 Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
What are the main causes of stinging pain in the male urethra. How can urinary tract infections lead to urethral discomfort. What symptoms accompany urethritis in men. How do kidney stones affect the urinary system. What treatments are available for prostatitis-related urethral pain.
Understanding Urethral Pain in Males: Causes and Symptoms
Experiencing a stinging sensation in the urethra can be both uncomfortable and concerning for men. This type of pain often indicates an underlying issue within the urinary system. While urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common culprits, several other conditions can lead to this symptom. Let’s explore the various causes, accompanying symptoms, and potential treatment options for urethral pain in males.
The Male Urinary System: A Brief Overview
The male urethra is a tube that extends from the bladder through the penis, serving as a conduit for both urine and semen. Its length and structure make it less susceptible to certain infections compared to the female urethra. However, this doesn’t make men immune to urethral discomfort. Understanding the anatomy of the male urinary system is crucial for identifying potential sources of pain and discomfort.
Urinary Tract Infections: A Common Cause of Urethral Pain
Urinary tract infections are a frequent source of urethral discomfort in males, although they’re less common than in females. UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary system and multiply, causing inflammation and irritation.
How do UTIs develop in men?
In males, UTIs can develop through various means:
- Sexual activity, which can introduce bacteria into the urethra
- Poor hygiene practices
- Urinary tract abnormalities or obstructions
- Catheter use
- Compromised immune system
Recognizing UTI Symptoms in Males
While a burning sensation during urination is a hallmark sign of a UTI, other symptoms may include:
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate
- Passing small amounts of urine
- Cloudy or discolored urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain or discomfort
- In severe cases, fever, chills, and nausea
Is it possible for UTIs to affect specific parts of the urinary system? Yes, UTIs can target different areas, leading to additional symptoms such as upper back pain, abdominal pressure, and even high fever in cases of kidney involvement.
Urethritis: Inflammation of the Urethra
Urethritis, characterized by inflammation of the urethra, can cause significant discomfort and is often mistaken for a UTI. While STIs are a common cause, non-infectious factors can also lead to urethritis.
Non-Infectious Causes of Urethritis
Several non-infectious factors can irritate the urethra and cause inflammation:
- Chemical irritants (e.g., soaps, spermicides, deodorants)
- Physical trauma from vigorous sexual activity or medical procedures
- Poor hygiene practices
- Allergic reactions to personal care products
Symptoms of Urethritis in Males
Males with urethritis may experience:
- Discharge from the urethra
- Burning or stinging sensation during urination
- Itching or irritation at the tip of the penis
- Pain or swelling in the testicles
- Redness and inflammation of the urethral opening
Can urethritis symptoms differ between infectious and non-infectious causes? While the symptoms can be similar, infectious urethritis may present with more severe symptoms and often requires antibiotic treatment.
Kidney Stones: A Painful Urinary Condition
Kidney stones, while not typically associated with urethral pain alone, can cause significant discomfort throughout the urinary system, including the urethra as stones pass through.
Formation and Movement of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form when minerals and salts in the urine crystallize and accumulate. These stones can vary in size from a fraction of an inch to several inches in diameter. As they move through the urinary tract, they can cause intense pain and irritation.
Recognizing Kidney Stone Symptoms
Symptoms of kidney stones may include:
- Severe pain in the side, back, or lower abdomen
- Pain that radiates to the groin area
- Fluctuating pain intensity
- Painful urination
- Pink, red, or brown urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Fever and chills (if an infection is present)
How can one distinguish between kidney stone pain and other urinary conditions? Kidney stone pain is often described as one of the most severe types of pain and typically comes in waves as the stone moves through the urinary system.
Urethral Stricture: Narrowing of the Urethra
Urethral stricture occurs when scar tissue narrows the urethra, potentially leading to inflammation, infection, and a burning sensation at the tip of the urethra.
Causes of Urethral Stricture
Several factors can contribute to the development of urethral strictures:
- Medical procedures such as endoscopy or catheterization
- Trauma to the pelvic area or urethra
- Enlarged prostate gland or prostate surgery
- Urethral cancer
- Radiation therapy for prostate cancer
Symptoms and Complications of Urethral Stricture
Urethral stricture can lead to various symptoms and complications:
- Weak or spraying urine stream
- Difficulty starting urination
- Frequent urination
- Urinary tract infections
- Urinary retention
- Pain during urination or ejaculation
How does urethral stricture impact long-term urinary health? If left untreated, urethral stricture can lead to chronic urinary problems, increased risk of infections, and potential damage to the bladder and kidneys.
Prostatitis: Inflammation of the Prostate Gland
Prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate gland, can cause various urinary symptoms, including burning or stinging in the urethra.
Types of Prostatitis
There are several types of prostatitis, each with its own characteristics:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis
- Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
Symptoms Associated with Prostatitis
Depending on the type and severity, prostatitis symptoms may include:
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty urinating or weak urine flow
- Pain in the pelvic area, genitals, or lower back
- Pain during ejaculation
- Flu-like symptoms (in acute bacterial prostatitis)
Can prostatitis be confused with other urinary conditions? Yes, the symptoms of prostatitis can be similar to those of UTIs or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), making accurate diagnosis crucial for proper treatment.
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Urethral Pain
While prostate cancer itself may not directly cause urethral pain, certain treatments for prostate cancer can lead to urinary symptoms, including discomfort in the urethra.
Treatment-Related Urethral Pain
Research has shown that some prostate cancer treatments, particularly radiation therapy, can result in lasting urethral pain. A study found that 16% of prostate cancer survivors experienced urethral pain five years after treatment, with brachytherapy (a form of radiation therapy) being a common factor.
Managing Post-Treatment Urinary Symptoms
Strategies for managing urethral pain after prostate cancer treatment may include:
- Medication for pain management
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Lifestyle modifications
- Regular follow-ups with a urologist
- Counseling or support groups for coping with long-term effects
How long can urethral pain persist after prostate cancer treatment? While many men experience improvement over time, some may have persistent symptoms for months or even years after treatment, necessitating ongoing management and care.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Urethral Pain in Males
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of urethral pain. Healthcare providers may use various methods to determine the underlying cause.
Diagnostic Approaches
Common diagnostic tools and procedures include:
- Urinalysis and urine culture
- Physical examination
- STI testing
- Imaging studies (ultrasound, CT scan)
- Cystoscopy (examination of the urethra and bladder)
- Urodynamic testing
Treatment Options
Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause but may include:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Pain management medications
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Lifestyle changes and improved hygiene practices
- Surgical interventions for structural issues
- Physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction
How important is early treatment for urethral pain? Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent complications, relieve discomfort, and address underlying conditions before they worsen or become chronic.
Understanding the various causes of urethral pain in males is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. While some cases may resolve with simple interventions, others may require more complex management. It’s important for men experiencing persistent urethral discomfort to seek medical attention to ensure appropriate care and prevent potential complications. By addressing urethral pain promptly and effectively, men can maintain their urinary health and overall well-being.
6 Causes, Symptoms, and More
Whether you’re male or female, when you feel burning at the tip of your urethra it’s usually a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or sexually transmitted illness (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. However, there can be other causes.
In people assigned male at birth, the urethra is a tube that runs from the bladder through the penis. In people assigned female at birth, it runs from the bladder through the pelvis. The urethra carries urine from the bladder outside the body.
But in some cases, something other than an STI will cause a burning sensation at the tip of the urethra.
The most common causes that are not STIs include UTIs and non-STI-related inflammation of the urethra, called urethritis. Treatment usually involves a round of antibiotics.
In most cases, burning at the tip of the urethra is caused by bacteria entering the urethra. Here’s a closer look at the possible causes:
1. UTI
With a UTI, bacteria make their way to the bladder where they multiply and spread through the body’s urinary system. Some people develop a UTI after oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse, which can expose the urethra to bacteria.
Generally, females are more likely to develop a UTI than men, because their urethras are shorter than men’s. So, any bacteria that enters the urethra only needs to travel a short distance before reaching the bladder, where it can spread through the urinary tract.
2. Urethritis
Often urethritis, or inflammation of the urethra, is caused by an STI. But simple irritation of the tip of the urethra can also cause urethritis. Some common irritants include:
- deodorants
- lotions
- soaps
- spermicides
Poor hygiene may also lead to urethritis. It can also be caused by physical damage to the urethra from vigorous sex, masturbation, or a medical procedures such as catheter insertion.
3. Kidney stones
Kidney stones are hard masses of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys and move through the urinary tract. Kidney stones are often the result of dehydration, poor diet, or infection. Genetics also seem to play a role in whether or not a person develops kidney stones.
Sometimes these stones make it to the tip of the urethra during urination. They can be very painful to pass, especially if they are large in size. Some kidney stones are as small as a fraction of an inch, while others are several inches long.
4. Urethral stricture
Urethral stricture, or scarring, narrows the urethra and may cause inflammation or infection that causes a burning sensation at the tip. Some causes of a scar tissue buildup in the urethra include:
- medical procedures like endoscopy
- long-term catheter use
- trauma to the pelvis or urethra
- an enlarged prostate gland
- surgery to remove an enlarged prostate gland
- cancer in the urethra
- prostate and radiation therapy
Often the cause is unknown.
5. Prostatitis
In men, prostatitis, or swelling of the prostate gland, can cause burning at the tip of the urethra. In many cases, the causes of prostatitis are unknown. However, some males may develop prostatitis as the result of a bacterial infection or nerve damage in the lower urinary tract.
6.
Prostate cancer treatment
Research suggests that some types of treatment for prostate cancer may cause a lasting burning sensation in the urethra.
In one study, 16 percent of prostate cancer survivors experienced pain in the urethra five years following their last treatment. Most of those males reporting urethra pain had received brachytherapy, which delivers radiation directly into a tumor.
Here are some of the other symptoms you can expect if you have a burning sensation in the tip of your urethra that’s not an STI:
UTI
Some other symptoms of a UTI include:
- a frequent and urgent need to urinate
- passing very small amounts of urine
- cloudy urine
- urine that is reddish or brown (sign of blood in the urine)
- strong-smelling urine
- pain in your pelvis (especially in females)
UTIs affecting more specific parts of the urinary system may cause additional symptoms, such as:
- pain in the upper back and side
- pressure in the abdomen
- urethral discharge
- high fever
- chills
- nausea
- vomiting
Urethritis
Females with urethritis sometimes don’t show any symptoms, while males are more likely to show signs within days to a month after infection, or exposure to irritants.
A common symptom is pus that comes out of the urethra, or the urethra or penis appears to smell. males with urethritis may also experience pain and swelling in one or both of the testicles, and irritation along the penis.
Kidney stones
Other symptoms of kidney stones include:
- strong pain in the side and back
- pain that moves into the lower abdomen and groin
- pain that comes in waves and different levels of intensity
- pain during urination
- reddish or brown urine
- cloudy urine
- foul-smelling urine
- nausea
- vomiting
- frequent urge to urinate
- urinating in large or small amounts
- fever and chills
Urethral stricture
Urethral stricture is more common in males than females. Some other symptoms include:
- inability to completely empty the bladder
- increased need to urinate
- spraying during urination
- straining during urination
- urinary tract infection
- weak urine stream
Prostatitis
Some other symptoms of prostatitis include:
- blood in the urine (reddish or brown urine)
- cloudy urine
- difficulty urinating
- flu-like symptoms
- frequent urination, especially at night
- pain during ejaculation
- pain in the abdomen, groin, or lower back
- pain in the perineum (area between scrotum and rectum)
- pain or irritation in the penis or testicles
- urgent need to urinate
Prostate cancer treatment
Some other side effects of prostate cancer treatments include:
- bowel problems
- breast growth
- difficulty getting an erection
- dry orgasms
- fatigue
- heart problems
- hot flushes
- infertility
- loss of libido
- mood swings
- osteoporosis
- urine leakage and problems
The most common STIs to cause burning at the tip of the urethra include chlamydia and gonorrhea. However, there’s a third, less-known STI that could be causing your symptoms called non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU).
This is a common STI that causes inflammation of the urethra and can lead to burning. Females often don’t show symptoms. males may experience:
- burning or discomfort, especially during urination
- irritation or soreness at the tip of the penis
- white or cloudy discharge coming from the tip of the penis
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you may want to be screened for NGU.
To help get to the bottom of what’s causing the burning at the tip of your urethra, your doctor will ask you questions to better understand your medical history. He or she will also ask about your sexual history and whether or not you have had cancer or kidney stones in your family.
Your doctor will also perform a physical exam to check for signs of infection, such as fever. Lastly, he or she is likely to run some diagnostic tests to check for any unusual results that may point them in the direction of an answer. These may include:
- cystoscopy (looking at the urethra and bladder with a tiny camera)
- retrograde urethrogram (X-rays to look at the urethra)
- pelvic MRI
- pelvic ultrasound
- urinary flow test
- urine tests (urinalysis)
- urethral ultrasound
Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as a gynecologist or obstetrician to help treat the cause of your symptoms.
Treatments for a burning sensation at the tip of the urethra vary depending on the cause.
UTI
You will be put on a course of antibiotics, or you may have to stay in the hospital for intravenous antibiotics and hospital care if you have a severe infection.
Urethritis
You’ll be given a course of antibiotics if an infection is present. You may be able to take medications for pain relief as long as you don’t have any issues, such as kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcer, or are taking blood thinning medications. Your doctor might also tell you to:
- avoid sex or masturbation for a few weeks
- practice protected, safe sex to prevent future cases of urethritis
- practice healthy hygiene practices
- have a catheter removed
- stop use of irritating products
Kidney stones
Smaller kidney stones are easier to treat than larger stones. For small stones, treatment usually includes:
- alpha blocker medication, which your doctor may prescribe to help you pass your kidney stone
- drinking plenty of water
- pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen
- scope to remove stones in the urethra or kidney.
For larger stones, your doctor may recommend:
- surgery to remove stones in the kidney
- surgery to decrease activity of the parathyroid gland, which can contribute to formation of kidney stones
- using sound waves to break up stones (extracorporeal shock wave therapy, or ESWL)
Urethral stricture
Several things can be done to ease this condition, including:
- catheterization
- dilation
- endoscopic urethrotomy (removal of scar tissue with a laser)
- implanted stent or permanent catheter (permanent artificial tube to keep urethra open)
- urethroplasty (surgical removal or enlargement of the urethra)
Prostatitis
A few medications can be used for this, such as:
- alpha blockers to relax the bladder and ease pain
- antibiotics
- anti-inflammatory drugs
Prostate cancer treatment
You may be able to pause your treatment if your doctor says it’s appropriate. Otherwise, you can try anti-inflammatory medications.
Burning at the tip of urethra is usually a cause for concern whether or not it’s caused by an STI. If your symptoms last more than a few days, or are accompanied by other unusual symptoms, see a doctor right away.
For cases of burning at the tip of the urethra accompanied by severe pain in the sides, back, or abdomen, and fever, chills, or nausea, seek emergency help as these are signs of severe infection.
6 Causes, Symptoms, and More
Whether you’re male or female, when you feel burning at the tip of your urethra it’s usually a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or sexually transmitted illness (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. However, there can be other causes.
In people assigned male at birth, the urethra is a tube that runs from the bladder through the penis. In people assigned female at birth, it runs from the bladder through the pelvis. The urethra carries urine from the bladder outside the body.
But in some cases, something other than an STI will cause a burning sensation at the tip of the urethra.
The most common causes that are not STIs include UTIs and non-STI-related inflammation of the urethra, called urethritis. Treatment usually involves a round of antibiotics.
In most cases, burning at the tip of the urethra is caused by bacteria entering the urethra. Here’s a closer look at the possible causes:
1. UTI
With a UTI, bacteria make their way to the bladder where they multiply and spread through the body’s urinary system. Some people develop a UTI after oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse, which can expose the urethra to bacteria.
Generally, females are more likely to develop a UTI than men, because their urethras are shorter than men’s. So, any bacteria that enters the urethra only needs to travel a short distance before reaching the bladder, where it can spread through the urinary tract.
2. Urethritis
Often urethritis, or inflammation of the urethra, is caused by an STI. But simple irritation of the tip of the urethra can also cause urethritis. Some common irritants include:
- deodorants
- lotions
- soaps
- spermicides
Poor hygiene may also lead to urethritis. It can also be caused by physical damage to the urethra from vigorous sex, masturbation, or a medical procedures such as catheter insertion.
3. Kidney stones
Kidney stones are hard masses of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys and move through the urinary tract. Kidney stones are often the result of dehydration, poor diet, or infection. Genetics also seem to play a role in whether or not a person develops kidney stones.
Sometimes these stones make it to the tip of the urethra during urination. They can be very painful to pass, especially if they are large in size. Some kidney stones are as small as a fraction of an inch, while others are several inches long.
4. Urethral stricture
Urethral stricture, or scarring, narrows the urethra and may cause inflammation or infection that causes a burning sensation at the tip. Some causes of a scar tissue buildup in the urethra include:
- medical procedures like endoscopy
- long-term catheter use
- trauma to the pelvis or urethra
- an enlarged prostate gland
- surgery to remove an enlarged prostate gland
- cancer in the urethra
- prostate and radiation therapy
Often the cause is unknown.
5. Prostatitis
In men, prostatitis, or swelling of the prostate gland, can cause burning at the tip of the urethra. In many cases, the causes of prostatitis are unknown. However, some males may develop prostatitis as the result of a bacterial infection or nerve damage in the lower urinary tract.
6.
Prostate cancer treatment
Research suggests that some types of treatment for prostate cancer may cause a lasting burning sensation in the urethra.
In one study, 16 percent of prostate cancer survivors experienced pain in the urethra five years following their last treatment. Most of those males reporting urethra pain had received brachytherapy, which delivers radiation directly into a tumor.
Here are some of the other symptoms you can expect if you have a burning sensation in the tip of your urethra that’s not an STI:
UTI
Some other symptoms of a UTI include:
- a frequent and urgent need to urinate
- passing very small amounts of urine
- cloudy urine
- urine that is reddish or brown (sign of blood in the urine)
- strong-smelling urine
- pain in your pelvis (especially in females)
UTIs affecting more specific parts of the urinary system may cause additional symptoms, such as:
- pain in the upper back and side
- pressure in the abdomen
- urethral discharge
- high fever
- chills
- nausea
- vomiting
Urethritis
Females with urethritis sometimes don’t show any symptoms, while males are more likely to show signs within days to a month after infection, or exposure to irritants.
A common symptom is pus that comes out of the urethra, or the urethra or penis appears to smell. males with urethritis may also experience pain and swelling in one or both of the testicles, and irritation along the penis.
Kidney stones
Other symptoms of kidney stones include:
- strong pain in the side and back
- pain that moves into the lower abdomen and groin
- pain that comes in waves and different levels of intensity
- pain during urination
- reddish or brown urine
- cloudy urine
- foul-smelling urine
- nausea
- vomiting
- frequent urge to urinate
- urinating in large or small amounts
- fever and chills
Urethral stricture
Urethral stricture is more common in males than females. Some other symptoms include:
- inability to completely empty the bladder
- increased need to urinate
- spraying during urination
- straining during urination
- urinary tract infection
- weak urine stream
Prostatitis
Some other symptoms of prostatitis include:
- blood in the urine (reddish or brown urine)
- cloudy urine
- difficulty urinating
- flu-like symptoms
- frequent urination, especially at night
- pain during ejaculation
- pain in the abdomen, groin, or lower back
- pain in the perineum (area between scrotum and rectum)
- pain or irritation in the penis or testicles
- urgent need to urinate
Prostate cancer treatment
Some other side effects of prostate cancer treatments include:
- bowel problems
- breast growth
- difficulty getting an erection
- dry orgasms
- fatigue
- heart problems
- hot flushes
- infertility
- loss of libido
- mood swings
- osteoporosis
- urine leakage and problems
The most common STIs to cause burning at the tip of the urethra include chlamydia and gonorrhea. However, there’s a third, less-known STI that could be causing your symptoms called non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU).
This is a common STI that causes inflammation of the urethra and can lead to burning. Females often don’t show symptoms. males may experience:
- burning or discomfort, especially during urination
- irritation or soreness at the tip of the penis
- white or cloudy discharge coming from the tip of the penis
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you may want to be screened for NGU.
To help get to the bottom of what’s causing the burning at the tip of your urethra, your doctor will ask you questions to better understand your medical history. He or she will also ask about your sexual history and whether or not you have had cancer or kidney stones in your family.
Your doctor will also perform a physical exam to check for signs of infection, such as fever. Lastly, he or she is likely to run some diagnostic tests to check for any unusual results that may point them in the direction of an answer. These may include:
- cystoscopy (looking at the urethra and bladder with a tiny camera)
- retrograde urethrogram (X-rays to look at the urethra)
- pelvic MRI
- pelvic ultrasound
- urinary flow test
- urine tests (urinalysis)
- urethral ultrasound
Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to a specialist such as a gynecologist or obstetrician to help treat the cause of your symptoms.
Treatments for a burning sensation at the tip of the urethra vary depending on the cause.
UTI
You will be put on a course of antibiotics, or you may have to stay in the hospital for intravenous antibiotics and hospital care if you have a severe infection.
Urethritis
You’ll be given a course of antibiotics if an infection is present. You may be able to take medications for pain relief as long as you don’t have any issues, such as kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcer, or are taking blood thinning medications. Your doctor might also tell you to:
- avoid sex or masturbation for a few weeks
- practice protected, safe sex to prevent future cases of urethritis
- practice healthy hygiene practices
- have a catheter removed
- stop use of irritating products
Kidney stones
Smaller kidney stones are easier to treat than larger stones. For small stones, treatment usually includes:
- alpha blocker medication, which your doctor may prescribe to help you pass your kidney stone
- drinking plenty of water
- pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen
- scope to remove stones in the urethra or kidney.
For larger stones, your doctor may recommend:
- surgery to remove stones in the kidney
- surgery to decrease activity of the parathyroid gland, which can contribute to formation of kidney stones
- using sound waves to break up stones (extracorporeal shock wave therapy, or ESWL)
Urethral stricture
Several things can be done to ease this condition, including:
- catheterization
- dilation
- endoscopic urethrotomy (removal of scar tissue with a laser)
- implanted stent or permanent catheter (permanent artificial tube to keep urethra open)
- urethroplasty (surgical removal or enlargement of the urethra)
Prostatitis
A few medications can be used for this, such as:
- alpha blockers to relax the bladder and ease pain
- antibiotics
- anti-inflammatory drugs
Prostate cancer treatment
You may be able to pause your treatment if your doctor says it’s appropriate. Otherwise, you can try anti-inflammatory medications.
Burning at the tip of urethra is usually a cause for concern whether or not it’s caused by an STI. If your symptoms last more than a few days, or are accompanied by other unusual symptoms, see a doctor right away.
For cases of burning at the tip of the urethra accompanied by severe pain in the sides, back, or abdomen, and fever, chills, or nausea, seek emergency help as these are signs of severe infection.
Pain during urination in men
Pain during urination is a symptom that should not be ignored, as it may indicate serious disorders of the genitourinary system.
Pathologies of the urinary organs differ in men and women due to different anatomical structure and physiological functions. In any case, only a timely appeal to a specialist and compliance with the prescribed treatment regimen will allow you to get rid of the problem and prevent the development of dangerous complications.
Men have specific risk factors and characteristic diseases that are manifested by pain during urination. But not in all cases, this symptom in male patients indicates pathologies of the urethra or prostate. Only a comprehensive examination will make it possible to conduct a differential diagnosis and make an accurate diagnosis.
Pain during urination
Pain during urination manifests itself in a variety of ways, so a person cannot always compare these signs with dangerous symptoms. The spectrum of pathological sensations begins with minor discomfort, continues with pronounced persistent unpleasant sensations and can reach intolerable pain, which interferes with natural needs.
Localization of painful sensations is also different. Most often they occur in the urethra – directly the urethra, through which urine is excreted from the body. Also, pain can radiate (“give away”) to the pelvic area, inguinal zone, lower back, lower abdomen. This is due to the peculiarities of the innervation of the genitourinary organs and the localization of the nervous structures of the pelvic zone.
Pain during urination is most commonly described as “burning” or “tingling”. It can also be aching or cutting. According to the degree of severity, the pain is divided into acute and dull. Patients are asked to evaluate their own feelings on a ten-point scale, where “10” is the most severe pain.
It is also important to find out at what point in urination pain occurs: when urging, at the beginning or at the end.
Features of the pain syndrome, its nature, prevalence and duration, the dependence of symptoms on the time of day or body position, and many other details, it is important for the doctor to know. This is necessary in order to make the correct diagnosis, refer to informative clarifying methods of examination.
It is important to remember that just because symptoms do not appear every time you go to the toilet, this does not mean that they can be ignored. Pathological processes in the genitourinary system spread quickly enough, so at first glance, harmless discomfort can turn into burning pain in a few days.
Additional symptoms
From a medical point of view, painful urination refers to the syndrome of dysuria – a violation of bladder emptying.
Other pathological signs may include:
- change in color or odor of urine;
- urinary retention;
- involuntary bladder emptying;
- fever;
- nausea or vomiting.
The main causes of pain during urination
Among all the causes of painful emptying of the bladder, inflammatory diseases are in the lead. Inflammation of the genitourinary system is also characterized by gender characteristics: in male patients, urethritis develops more often than cystitis.
This is due to the fact that the male urethra is much longer than the female urethra, so infectious agents are located mainly in the urethra. Due to the peculiarities of the location of the urethra, various diseases of the penis can lead to dysuria in men.
Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra is often accompanied by painful sensations of a sharp and cutting nature, which cause discomfort with each emptying of the bladder. In this situation, it is urgent to contact a specialist and start treatment in order to prevent the ascending path of infection and prevent the development of pathologies of the genitourinary organs.
Cystitis
Infectious and inflammatory disease of the bladder can be caused by both typical external pathogens and opportunistic microbes in violation of the immune system. Symptoms of cystitis resemble urethritis, may be accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen and increased urination.
Urolithiasis
Discomfort or pain during urination can be caused by urolithiasis (UCD), a metabolic disorder that causes kidney stones to form. Moving through different parts of the urinary system, they can clog the ureter and lead to acute urinary retention.
In addition to pain during urination in ICD, irradiation of pain sensations in the back and lower abdomen is added. In addition, complaints can be supplemented by such unpleasant sensations as burning, increased urination, false urge to empty the bladder, discoloration or turbidity of urine, fever. In an acute attack of ICD, the pain becomes unbearable. It is not necessarily associated with urination. This is called “renal colic”.
Diseases of the prostate
The prostate gland is not only an anatomical feature, but also a “weak point” in the male body. One of the most common diseases of this organ, which manifests itself with age in most men, is a benign tumor.
Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland, which is accompanied by impaired urination. The cause of the pathology is pathogenic microorganisms, and the risk factors are a sedentary lifestyle, stress, chronic diseases, and disorders of the immune system.
The disease may not manifest itself for a long time, but at a certain stage such an unpleasant symptom as pain when urinating makes the patient consult a doctor. Pain in prostatitis can spread to the perineum and groin area, the lumbar region.
Phimosis
This pathology is characterized by narrowing of the foreskin of the penis, which makes it difficult to open its head. The pathological condition in itself is not dangerous, but in such a situation it becomes difficult to carry out intimate hygiene procedures. As a result, the reproduction of pathogenic microbes begins, inflammation occurs. Since the penis is directly involved in the process of emptying the bladder in men, phimosis ultimately manifests itself as pain during urination and erection.
Balanoposthitis
This disease is also typical for men. It is characterized by inflammation of the head and foreskin of the male genital organ. The disease can occur at any age. One of the unpleasant symptoms of balanoposthitis inevitably becomes soreness during urination.
Orchiepididymitis
This concept means two infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system at once, which usually provoke each other, therefore they develop simultaneously. Orchitis is an inflammation in the testicles, and epididymitis is in their appendages. As with other inflammatory processes in the male genital organs, patients with orchiepididymitis often have complaints of difficulty urinating.
Vesiculitis
In men, inflammation of the seminal vesicles may occur, often caused by purulent pathogens. Vesiculitis often accompanies chronic prostatitis and other diseases of the reproductive system.
One of the main symptoms of the disease is cutting pain during urination. An important additional symptom of vesiculitis is the appearance of blood in the urine.
STIs
Pain when emptying the bladder can also be a sign of STIs – sexually transmitted infections. These include pathologies such as:0003
- Urogenital chlamydia. This is a disease caused by chlamydia. In men, it most often occurs in the form of urethritis or prostatitis. In addition to dysuric signs, with the development of chlamydia, men often suffer from sexual dysfunction.
- Gonorrheal urethritis. The disease is caused by gonococci and is accompanied by a vivid clinical picture. One of the first signs of gonorrhea is a burning sensation and itching in the area of the external opening of the urethra, from which a grayish discharge appears. Urination is difficult and painful.
- Trichomoniasis. Another common sexually transmitted infection is caused by Trichomonas. They cause in men mainly inflammation in the prostate and seminal vesicles.
Pathogens of infectious diseases cause various inflammatory processes, which are accompanied not only by painful urination, but also by itching, burning, discharge from the genitals and other unpleasant symptoms.
Where to contact?
If at least once there was a feeling of pain when emptying the bladder, it is necessary to carefully monitor the development of symptoms. In case of repeated complaints, a visit to the doctor is mandatory, since this symptom may indicate serious disorders.
Male patients with these disorders are referred to a urologist, who may then refer them to a nephrologist or andrologist. If there is a suspicion of any of the sexually transmitted pathologies, you should immediately contact a dermatovenereologist. Only with the timely start of specific treatment can dangerous complications be avoided.
But do not panic: in some cases, pain is considered a variant of the norm. For example, discomfort after taking a smear is a common symptom that is associated with mechanical damage to the urethra. It disappears on its own after a few days. Also, a variant of the norm is considered burning after contact with irritating substances – soap, shower gel, and other hygiene, intimate and cosmetic products.
Diagnostics
During the appointment, the doctor carefully evaluates the patient’s complaints. This may lead to a correct diagnosis. For example, pain immediately at the beginning of urination is often a symptom of infectious processes, and soreness after emptying the bladder in men usually indicates problems with the prostate. A urologist or venereologist conducts a detailed survey and collects important information about the development of the disease, examines the external genitalia.
In addition, during the appointment, the specialist takes a swab from the urethra. This study makes it possible to determine which processes caused the violation of urination.
The patient is prescribed mandatory research methods: clinical blood and urine tests, and for a more detailed study of the function of the urinary system, it may be necessary to pass specific urine tests (daily collection, bacterial culture). Also, from instrumental diagnostic methods, you need to undergo ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder. This will allow for the primary diagnosis of diseases of the genitourinary system.
Treatment
The treatment algorithm is determined individually: depending on the specific disease, its severity and characteristics of the patient.
The main groups of drugs prescribed for diseases of the genitourinary system include:
- Antibiotics. Antibacterial drugs are prescribed for bacterial inflammation and most STIs.
- Antiseptics. Uroantiseptics are a large group of medicines that can stop the pathogenic effect of opportunistic microflora and some pathogenic microbes.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. They are needed in order to eliminate signs of inflammation, relieve swelling and facilitate the process of urination.
- Antispasmodics. For urinary tract infections and some other diseases, doctors prescribe drugs that relax the smooth muscles of the urinary tract to relieve the pain associated with the spasm.
The range of drugs used in such cases is quite large, so only a doctor can prescribe the right therapy.
Important! Self-medication is dangerous: improper prescription of drugs can lead to the development of complications and even irreversible loss of functions of the genitourinary system.
Doctors of clinics “MedCenterService” provide full diagnostics and qualified assistance at any stage of the patient’s complaint of pain during urination. An integrated approach to determining the cause of the pain syndrome allows you to timely identify the cause of the symptoms and prevent the development of dangerous complications.
Pain in the urethra after ejaculation in Kazan, prices at the Quality of Life clinic
As a rule, cramps in the urethra after ejaculation indicate inflammatory diseases, but in some situations we are talking about an incorrectly chosen method of contraception – interruption of sexual intercourse can cause cramps after orgasm and poison sex life.
Causes of pain in the urethra after ejaculation:
Treatment of pain in the urethra after ejaculation
The choice of methods for treating pain is directly related to the cause of their occurrence, so the patient’s diagnosis includes an extended list of examinations:
OAM;
UAC;
scraping from the wall of the urethra;
advanced analysis for STDs;
Ultrasound of the scrotum and pelvic organs.
Leading specialists
Mukhtyarov Almaz Damirovich
Urologist, andrologist, sexologist
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Quality of Life Clinic
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When undergoing treatment by urologists 10 procedures – 11 as a gift
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Urologist consultation + ultrasound (selection of scrotum/prostate)
Work process
Work steps
Treatment of identified pathologies is prescribed in accordance with the diagnosis and includes antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal therapy, massage, selection of anti-inflammatory drugs and a change in diet. If pathologies requiring surgical intervention are detected, the doctor prescribes a planned operation.
If the examination did not reveal any reasons for the occurrence of pain after ejaculation, the urologist-andrologist conducts a survey to ascertain the circumstances under which painful sensations appear. Often their cause is interrupted sexual intercourse – an unreliable and rather unpleasant method of contraception. Psychogenic pains in the urethra associated with sexual activity are much less common – in this case, the patient is recommended to visit a sexologist and psychotherapist.
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*Prices on the site are for guidance only and may differ from prices in the clinic.