Are you experiencing pain while you urinate? You’re not alone. Though urinary discomfort is often associated with older individuals, it can happen to just about anyone at any age. The term used to describe painful urination is dysuria.
However, dysuria is not a singular condition. Rather, it is a symptom that can stem from a variety of conditions affecting the urinary tract, bladder, prostate (in men), kidneys, and other surrounding areas.
In order to treat dysuria, the root condition must be accurately diagnosed. These are some of the most common causes of urinary pain.
UTIs
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common causes of dysuria among women. Though men can experience UTIs, women are much more susceptible. UTIs are typically caused by bacteria entering through the urethra, ultimately causing an infection in either your kidneys or your ureters (the tubes connecting your kidneys and bladder).
The most common symptoms associated with UTIs are excessive frequency of urination and discomfort while urinating. Thankfully, UTIs are highly treatable, especially with PCR testing.
Prostate Conditions
For older men, prostate conditions are one of the most common causes of dysuria and other urination problems. Though much less common, prostate conditions can also occur among younger men as well. The prostate gland is wrapped around the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. When the prostate becomes enflamed or swollen, problems arise.
There are a number of conditions that can cause the prostate to swell. There is, of course, prostate cancer. However, there are other conditions that have similar symptoms to prostate cancer.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that affects over 70% of men in their 60s and almost all men above 70. In addition to causing frequent urination and weak urinary streams, BPH can cause dysuria.
Prostatitis is another condition that can cause the prostate to grow. Unlike BPH, prostatitis typically stems from a bacterial infection, though it can have other causes.
The best treatment for prostate conditions can vary depending on the root cause. For BPH, UroLift is a minimally invasive treatment that doesn’t require any of the prostate to be removed.
Because the prostate is small and non-vital, a prostatectomy is sometimes the most effective option for treating prostate conditions and relieving urination pain.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are small chunks of mineral deposits that can build up in your kidneys. Should they move from your kidneys into your ureters, they can cause serious discomfort and trouble urinating. Kidney stones are quite common, affecting 1 in 11 people.
By following a healthy lifestyle, most people can avoid kidney stones altogether. Should they develop, a doctor may use shock waves to break them, surgery to remove them, or they may instruct you to simply let them pass.
STIs
Certain types of sexually transmitted infections (also known as sexually transmitted diseases) can cause urinary problems. STIs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes can all affect the urinary tract, often resulting in dysuria.
While chlamydia and gonorrhea can both be cured, herpes cannot. It can, however, be treated and controlled with medication.
Diagnosing and Treating Dysuria
There are many other conditions that cause painful urination including bladder stones, yeast infections, injuries, cysts, interstitial cystitis, and more. Certain medications and chemicals can also result in dysuria. You should never simply accept painful urinations as part of your life, no matter your age. Often, dysuria is an early symptom of a larger problem.
The only way to find out of the cause of your urinary problems and receive treatment is to visit a doctor. If you’re in need of a urology doctor in the Dayton, Ohio area, contact Urology Specialists of Ohio today.