Did you know that the medical term for painful urination is dysuria? The condition, which is often associated with dehydration, has more to it than we perceive. This pain can originate in different organs like the bladder, the urethra, or the perineum. In males, the perineum refers to the area between the penis and the scrotum, whereas in females it refers to the area between the anal and vaginal opening. The problem is very common and can affect people of all age groups and gender. In this blog, we have listed some common causes of painful urination with the help of the best urology surgeons in Pune.

• Urinary tract infections – Painful urination is one of the most common indications of urinary tract infection that may be triggered by a bacterial infection or inflammation in the urinary tract, which encompasses the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Any kind of inflammation in these organs is likely to trigger pain. Studies suggest that women are more prone to urinary tract infections as compared to men. Wondering why? Well, it is due to the size of the urethra. Men have a longer urethra, which means that the bacteria have to travel a longer distance to reach the bladder as compared to the females who have a shorter urethra. The risks are slightly elevated in women who are pregnant or those who have hit menopause.

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – Another possible cause of painful urination is a sexually transmitted infection, which you may have contracted from your partner. They can be extremely painful and come with a lot of other symptoms. It is very much possible for a person suffering from an STI to not experience any symptom at all. This is the reason why doctors lay a lot of emphasis on regular screenings and assessments.

• Prostatitis – The condition is marked by chronic swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, which is responsible for the production of seminal fluids. The condition can be really painful, making it difficult to urinate. Prostatitis can affect people of all age groups, though the prevalence is much higher in males below 50 years of age. The underlying cause of prostatitis may not be identified, however, in the majority of cases, it is triggered by bacterial infection. There are very rare cases where the patient needs surgical interventions like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP). These procedures are offered at the best hospital in Mumbai.

• Cystitis – The condition is marked by inflammation in the muscles lining of the urinary bladder. Interstitial cystitis is the most common type of cystitis, which is commonly referred to as painful bladder syndrome. A patient suffering from the condition is likely to experience severe pain and tenderness. Radiation cystitis is another type of cystitis, triggered by radiation therapy.

• Urethritis – Urethritis is a condition in which the urethra becomes inflamed. This is predominantly due to an underlying bacterial infection and is accompanied by painful urination. Though the condition can affect both males as well as females, the symptoms are not usually noticeable in the case of the latter. Urethritis is usually treated using antibiotics or antiviral medicines.

• Epididymitis – As the name suggests, the condition is marked by severe inflammation of the epididymis, a coiled tube located at the back of the testes, which is responsible for storing and carrying sperm. This is usually triggered by bacterial infections and sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – PID is an infection that specifically affects the organs of the female reproductive tract, i.e., the fallopian tube, ovaries, cervix and uterus. The condition is marked by severe abdominal cramps and chronic pain during urination and sex. It starts as a bacterial infection in the vagina, which gradually spreads to the other reproductive organs.