Are you experiencing Dysuria (Painful urination)? What can be the reason behind it besides bladder infection?  

What Is Dysuria?

It is a painful condition where you feel burning or discomfort while urinating. The pain usually occurs in the urethra (the tube that carries urine out your bladder). Dysuria is not itself a disease but an indication of underlying health issues.

Men and women both can suffer from dysuria. However, it is more common in females as approximately 80% of women are diagnosed with the issue of dysuria. Urinary tract infection is considered the most common cause of dysuria. However, there can be various other reasons behind this problem. 

Here we will discuss the other major causes behind dysuria. It includes:

Mycoplasma: 

Mycoplasmas are small, acellular bacteria that can cause various genital infections. These microorganisms are transmissible from one person to another during sexual intercourse. They can cause multiple diseases in the genital tract and lead to severe outcomes.

Symptoms in Females:

  • Dysuria
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Pain during sex
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding

Symptoms in Male:

  • Dysuria 
  • Inflammation of urethra
  • Liquid discharge from pennis

To diagnose mycoplasma infection, a healthcare provider will take a urine sample. Doctors will suggest antibiotics to treat the disease. Usually, it is recommended to treat both partners simultaneously to prevent transmission. 

Interstitial Cystitis:

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a part of a disease called painful bladder syndrome (PBS). Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition in which the bladder becomes inflamed. It can lead to severe bladder pain or sometimes pelvic pain. Some patients also feel pressure on their bladder. 

Symptoms of IC:

  • Dysuria
  • Pain in pelvis
  • Severe bladder pain
  • Pain during Sexual activity
  • Frequent urination 
  • A persistent urge to urinate

The risk of Interstitial cystitis is ten times more in females than in males. Sometimes, interstitial cystitis is misperceived as a urinary tract infection. However, the urine culture will be negative for an IC patient. 

Certain oral medications are available that can reduce the severity of IC symptoms. However, antibiotics are not effective in their treatment. Furthermore, pelvic floor physical therapy and biofeedback can effectively treat interstitial cystitis. 

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs):

STIs are referred to as infections that can spread through unhealthy sexual contact. Several sexually transmitted diseases such as Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Genital herpes can cause dysuria. 

In addition to dysuria, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia also cause penile discharge in males, while females cause vaginal discharge, pelvic pain and fever. Genital herpes causes red rashes in the genital area that appear like clear blisters or small red bumps. 

For diagnosis of  Gonorrhea and Chlamydia urine samples or vaginal swabs can be taken. In contrast, for Genital herpes, a swab culture of vaginal rashes was collected and performed a viral culture. 

Acute Prostatitis:

Acute prostatitis is a sudden inflammation of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland that covers a man’s urethra. Inflammation of this gland happens when bacteria travels from the urinary tract to the prostate. 

Symptoms of Acute prostatitis:

  • Dysuria
  • Frequent urination
  • Fever
  • Pain while ejaculation
  • Pelvic pain
  • Severe pain in the lower back and rectum

The occurrence rate of Acute Prostatitis is higher in men at the age of 35-50. Antibiotics and different oral medications are used to treat this infection.

Bacterial Vaginosis:

Bacterial vaginosis is when an overgrowth of certain bacteria in the vagina. It leads to disruption of bacterial balance in the vagina and causes inflammation. Besides bacteria, vaginosis can also be caused by several yeast and viruses. 

Symptoms of vaginosis:

  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Foul smell from vaginal discharge
  • Fever
  • Pain in pelvis

Often, symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are misperceived as urinary tract infection. However, a urine test or vaginal swab culture can help determine whether it is a urinary tract or vaginal infection. 

Conclusion:

One of the major reasons for urinary tract and bladder infections is unhygienic practices. The practice of hygienic measures is the fundamental way to prevent various diseases. Moreover, if you experience pain when peeing, it is best to consult a doctor. A healthcare professional can better diagnose the cause behind the issue. 

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