About this symptom
Burning, stinging or pain when you pass urine is called dysuria. Most often it is caused by an infection or inflammation in the urinary tract, such as an infection of the bladder.
Other causes include infections passed on by sex, irritation from soaps, perfumes or lotions, and, in women, infection of the vagina or changes around the menopause. The burning alone does not show which cause it is, so a doctor usually asks questions and tests the urine.
Possible causes
This is not a diagnosis. These are the causes doctors think about, with the ones that are most urgent to rule out first.
- Kidney infectionBurning when passing urine with a high temperature, shivering, feeling sick, and pain in the lower back or in the back just under the ribs.Read about it
- Urinary tract infectionThe most common cause. Burning or stinging with needing to pass urine more often or more urgently, lower tummy pain, and cloudy or smelly urine.Read about it
- Sexually transmitted infectionInfections such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia can burn as you pass urine. A discharge from the penis or vagina is a clue, and a doctor can test for it.
- Vaginal or vulval infectionIn women and girls, a yeast or other infection of the vagina or vulva can also cause burning when passing urine.
- MenopauseChanges in the vaginal tissue around the menopause can cause burning when passing urine.Read about it
- Irritation from soaps or perfumesBubble bath, perfumes or lotions around the genitals can irritate and cause burning. A doctor still needs to rule out an infection.
When to get help
See a doctor the same day if the burning comes with:
- A high temperature, shivering, or feeling very unwell
- Pain in the back just under the ribs, or in the lower tummy
- Being sick
- Blood in the urine, or pink, red or dark brown urine
These can be signs of a kidney infection, which can become serious if it is not treated. See a doctor soon, within a day or two, if:
- The burning has lasted more than a day, or has not eased within 2 days of starting treatment
- You are pregnant, or you are a man, a child, an older adult or someone with diabetes
- There is a discharge from the penis or vagina
- The burning keeps coming back
Mild burning that is clearing within a day, with none of these signs, can usually be watched at home.
What you can do at home
These steps may ease the discomfort while you arrange to be seen. They do not replace a urine test.
Do
- Rest, and drink enough fluids to pass pale urine regularly
- Ask a pharmacist or doctor whether pain relief such as paracetamol suits you
- If a doctor prescribes , finish the whole course even when you feel better
Do not
- Do not rely on cranberry drinks or cystitis sachets: they have not been shown to treat an infection
- Avoid things that can irritate the bladder, such as fruit juice, coffee and alcohol
- Do not put off seeing a doctor if any warning sign appears
What the doctor will do
The doctor will ask when the burning began, whether it comes with fever, back pain, discharge or blood in the urine, and about pregnancy, medicines, past bladder infections and any change in soap or detergent. They will examine you.
Tests depend on the likely cause. They may include:
- A urine test (urinalysis), sometimes with a urine culture
- For women with a discharge, a pelvic examination and a test of the vaginal fluid; for men with a discharge, a swab or urine test
- In some cases, an scan of the kidneys and bladder, or a look inside the bladder with a thin telescope (cystoscopy)
Treatment depends on the cause. A bladder infection is treated with a short course of , though the doctor may sometimes advise waiting a day or two to see if it settles.
Myths and facts
Things people often say about this. Open each one to see what is true.
Myth“It is only body heat (garmi) and will go away with coconut water or sherbet.”What is true?
Fact
Drinking enough fluids is sensible, but the most common cause of burning is an infection or inflammation of the urinary tract, and a cooling drink does not treat that. If the burning lasts more than a day, or comes with fever, back pain or blood in the urine, see a doctor.
Myth“Cranberry juice or a cystitis sachet will cure a urine infection.”What is true?
Fact
There is no evidence that cranberry drinks or cystitis sachets ease the symptoms or treat an active infection. A doctor can confirm an infection with a urine test and prescribe antibiotics if they are needed.
Myth“I can stop the antibiotic as soon as the burning goes.”What is true?
Fact
Finish the whole course the doctor gave you, even if you feel better. Ask the doctor before stopping early.
Questions to ask your doctor
Tick the ones you want answered and take them with you.
Common questions
Is burning when passing urine always an infection?
No. A urinary tract infection is the most common cause, but infections passed on by sex, irritation from soaps or perfumes, infection of the vagina, and changes around the menopause can also cause it. A urine test helps the doctor tell which it is.
How long can I wait before seeing a doctor?
Do not wait if it lasts more than a day, if you are pregnant, or if there is a discharge, blood in the urine or a fever. Men, children, older adults and people with diabetes should be seen early. See a doctor the same day for back pain under the ribs, shivering or vomiting.
Do I need to drink a lot of water?
Drink enough to pass pale urine regularly while you are unwell, and rest. This is for comfort and does not replace a urine test or treatment. Fruit juice, coffee and alcohol can irritate the bladder, so it is better to avoid them for now.
What if the burning keeps coming back?
See a doctor. Repeated infections should be looked into, and the doctor may suggest ways to prevent them or send you to a specialist if the cause is not clear.
