What is Dysuria
Dysuria is pain or discomfort while urinating. The pain or discomfort may be felt in the tube that carries urine out of the bladder (urethra) or in the surrounding tissue of the genitals.
The pain may also be felt in the groin area, lower abdomen, and lower back. You may have to urinate frequently or have the sudden feeling that you have to urinate (urgency). Dysuria can affect both men and women, but is more common in women.
Dysuria can be caused by many different things, including:
- Urinary tract infection in women.
- Infection of the kidney or bladder.
- Kidney stones or bladder stones.
- Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia.
- Dehydration.
- Inflammation of the vagina.
- Use of certain medicines.
- Use of certain soaps or scented products that cause irritation.
Follow these instructions at home:
Watch your dysuria for any changes. The following actions may help to reduce any discomfort you are feeling:
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
- Empty your bladder often. Avoid holding urine for long periods of time.
- After a bowel movement or urination, women should cleanse from front to back, using each tissue only once.
- Empty your bladder after sexual intercourse.
- Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, finish it all even if you start to feel better.
- Avoid caffeine, tea, and alcohol. They can irritate the bladder and make dysuria worse. In men, alcohol may irritate the prostate.
- Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your health care provider. This is important.
- If you had any tests done to find the cause of dysuria, it is your responsibility to obtain your test results. Ask the lab or department performing the test when and how you will get your results. Talk with your health care provider if you have any questions about your results.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You develop pain in your back or sides.
- You have a fever.
- You have nausea or vomiting.
- You have blood in your urine.
- You are not urinating as often as you usually do.
Get help right away if:
- You pain is severe and not relieved with medicines.
- You are unable to hold down any fluids.
- You or someone else notices a change in your mental function.
- You have a rapid heartbeat at rest.
- You have shaking or chills.
- You feel extremely weak.
