A number of conditions can cause painful urination (dysuria). In women, urinary tract infections are a common cause of painful urination. In men, urethritis and certain prostate conditions are frequent causes of painful urination.

Medical conditions and external factors that can cause painful urination include:

• Bladder stones
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
• Drugs, such as those used in cancer treatment, that have bladder irritation as a side effect
• Genital herpes
• Gonorrhea
• Having a recent urinary tract procedure performed, including use of urologic instruments for testing or treatment
• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• Kidney stones
• Prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate)
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Soaps, perfumes and other personal care products
• Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra)
• Urethritis (infection of the urethra)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Vaginitis
• Yeast infection (vaginal)