Painful urination

Also known as Dysuria and Painful Micturition

What causes it?

The most common causes of painful urination are urinary tract infection, cystitis, and vaginitis. Other possible causes, such as temporary or benign blood in urine, are more rare.

What symptoms are related?

Within all the people who go to their doctor with painful urination, 66% report having frequent urination, 44% report having sharp abdominal pain, and 37% report having blood in urine.

What might my doctor prescribe?

Common Tests and Procedures

Patients with painful urination often receive urinalysis, standard pregnancy test, pelvis exam, microscopic examination (bacterial smear; culture; toxicology), liver function tests, insertion of catheter into urinary bladder, chlamydia test and blood culture .

Common Medications

The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with painful urination include ciprofloxacin, phenazopyridine (azo), bactrim, nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim, cefixime (suprax), clofazimine, flavoxate (urispas), oxacillin, cefpodoxime, clove, sodium hyaluronate topical and lomefloxacin (maxaquin) .

Who is at risk?

Groups of people at highest risk for painful urination include age 15-29 years.