Pain when urinating is described by MedlinePlus as any sensation of pain, discomfort or burning. Pain during urination is a common symptom that is most often caused by an infection of one of the structures in the urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. Occasionally, painful urination can be a sign of other more serious conditions.
Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is an infection that occurs in any part of the urinary tract, but most often affects the urethra and the bladder. The most common cause of urinary tract infection is when the bacteria Escherichia coli enter the body through the urethra, multiply and travel into the bladder, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Women are more likely to develop a urinary tract infection than men. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include frequent urge to urinate, pain during urination, small amounts of urine passed during urination, abdominal pressure, fatigue and fever. Urinary tract infections can usually be successfully treated with a series of oral antibiotics, and symptoms usually disappear in one to two days. If the infection has traveled to the kidneys, hospitalization and intravenous fluids and antibiotics may be required.
Bladder Stones
Bladder stones are small, hard masses of minerals that form in the bladder as a result of crystals in the urine. Crystals form when urine is not completely emptied from the bladder and becomes extra concentrated. A number of conditions can cause the incomplete emptying of urine from the bladder. These conditions include an enlarged prostate, neurogenic bladder, weakened areas in the bladder, inflammation of the bladder, kidney stones and certain medical devices, such as catheters, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms of bladder stones include lower abdominal pain, painful urination, frequent urination, difficulty urinating, urine leakage and blood in the urine. Small bladder stones can usually be passed with an increase in water intake and without medical intervention. If stones are large, they are usually removed using a process called cystolitholapaxy, during which the stones are broken up with a laser or mechanical device. In rare cases, stones are removed with open surgery.
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, according to MedlinePlus. Chlamydia develops as a result of an infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, and risk of infection increases as the number of sexual partners increases. Symptoms of chlamydia are more common in men and include pain and burning during urination, discharge from the penis, pain in the testicles and rectal discharge or pain. When symptoms occur in women, they include pain during urination, pain during sexual intercourse, vaginal discharge and rectal pain. Chlamydia can be successfully treated with a series of oral antibiotics.
