Urination - painful

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Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

Dysuria; Painful urination

Follow prescribed therapy.

• You experience painful urination that lasts for more than 1 day
• You are pregnant and are having any painful urination
• There is drainage or a discharge from your penis or vagina
• You notice blood in your urine

Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination. Medical history questions documenting painful urination may include the following:

• When did the painful urination begin?
• Does the pain occur only during urination?
• Does the pain stop after urination?
• Is the pain in the urethra?
• Is there back pain?
• What other symptoms are also present?
• Have you had a fever higher than 100 degrees F?
• Is there drainage or discharge between urinations?
• Is there an abnormal urine odor?
• Are there any changes in the volume or frequency of urination?
• Do you have the urge to urinate?
• Did you notice blood in the urine?
• Are there any rashes or itching in the genital area?
• What medications are you taking?
• Are you pregnant or could you be pregnant?
• Has there been a previous bladder infection?
• Do you have any allergies to any medications?
• Have you had sexual intercourse with someone who has, or may have, gonorrhea or chlamydia?
• Has there been a recent change in your brand of soap, detergent, or fabric softener?
• Have you had surgery or radiation to your urinary or sexual organs?

With previous bladder or kidney infections, a more detailed history and physical are needed, and extra laboratory studies may be necessary. In women with a vaginal discharge, an examination of the vagina and any discharge is necessary. Men who have penile discharge will need to have a urethral swab done.

Diagnostic tests:

Your health care provider will probably start with an office urine dipstick. Based on those results, a urine culture may be ordered. DNA probes for gonorrhea or chlamydia may also be obtained.