Pain when urinating is usually described as burning, stinging, soreness, sharp pain, bladder discomfort or pain at the end of passing urine. Doctors often call this dysuria. It is a common symptom, but it can come from several different parts of the urinary or genital system.
Many people immediately think “UTI” when it hurts to pee — and urinary tract infection is one of the most common causes. But painful urination can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections, kidney stones, bladder irritation, vaginal infections, prostate inflammation, skin irritation, dehydration, medicines, trauma or, more rarely, bladder or kidney problems.
The important clues are: where the pain is, when it happens, whether you are peeing more often, whether there is blood, whether you have fever or back pain, and whether there are genital symptoms such as discharge, sores, itching or pelvic pain.
This guide explains the common causes of pain when urinating, when it may be a UTI, kidney stone, STI or something else, what red flags to watch for, and when to seek medical help.
Important: this article is for general information only and should not replace medical advice. Seek urgent help if you have pain when urinating with fever, severe back or side pain, vomiting, pregnancy, blood in the urine, inability to pass urine, or you feel very unwell.
When pain when urinating may need urgent help
Burning or stinging when you pee is often not an emergency, but some patterns need prompt assessment because they may suggest kidney infection, sepsis, a blocked urinary system, a significant stone, acute prostatitis, pregnancy-related infection or another serious problem.
Seek urgent medical advice today, call NHS 111, or go to urgent care if you have pain when urinating with:
- a high temperature, chills, shivering or feeling very unwell
- pain in the back, side or loin, especially with fever or vomiting
- blood in the urine, especially if it is visible or persistent
- severe lower abdominal, pelvic, testicular or flank pain
- nausea or vomiting that means you cannot keep fluids down
- pregnancy
- diabetes, kidney disease, a weakened immune system or a urinary catheter
- being unable to pass urine despite needing to go
- confusion, drowsiness or sudden worsening in an older adult
- symptoms in a child, especially fever or appearing very unwell
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have severe symptoms such as collapse, severe confusion, signs of sepsis, severe pain that cannot be controlled, or difficulty passing urine with severe lower abdominal pain.
First: is the pain from the bladder, urethra, kidneys or genital area?
Pain when urinating can feel similar even when the cause is different. Try to notice where the discomfort seems to come from.
Bladder-type symptoms often include burning when you pee, needing to pee more often, urgency, lower tummy pressure, cloudy urine or urine that smells stronger than usual. This pattern often suggests cystitis or lower UTI.
Kidney-type symptoms may include pain in the side or back, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, feeling very weak, or pain that comes in waves and may move towards the groin. This can suggest kidney infection or kidney stones.
Urethral symptoms may include burning along the tube urine passes through, pain at the tip of the penis, discharge, irritation, or symptoms after sex. This can be caused by urethritis, including STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
Vulval or vaginal symptoms may include stinging when urine touches sore skin, itching, irritation, unusual discharge, pain during sex or soreness around the vulva. This may be thrush, bacterial vaginosis, herpes, dermatitis or another genital condition rather than a bladder infection.
Prostate-related symptoms may include pain when peeing, difficulty starting, weak flow, pelvic or perineal pain, pain in the testicles or penis, pain when ejaculating, fever or feeling unwell. This can suggest prostatitis, especially in people with a prostate.
Common causes of pain when urinating
1. Urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is one of the most common causes of burning or stinging when passing urine. UTIs can affect the bladder, urethra or kidneys. A lower UTI is often called cystitis when it affects the bladder.
Common UTI symptoms include:
- pain, burning or stinging when peeing
- needing to pee more often than usual
- needing to pee urgently
- lower tummy discomfort or pressure
- cloudy urine
- urine that smells stronger than usual
- blood in the urine
- feeling tired, achy or generally unwell
The NHS explains that UTIs can affect different parts of the urinary tract, including the bladder, urethra and kidneys. UTIs are often caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, and they are more common in women partly because the urethra is shorter. For official information, see the NHS guide to urinary tract infections.
UTIs are not always treated in exactly the same way. Some mild cases may settle, while others need antibiotics. NICE guidance on lower UTI is designed to optimise antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance, which is why clinicians may ask about symptoms, risk factors, urine tests and previous infections before prescribing. You can read the professional guidance here: NICE lower UTI antimicrobial prescribing guidance.
2. Kidney infection
A kidney infection is a more serious type of UTI. It can happen when bacteria travel up from the bladder to one or both kidneys. Kidney infection needs prompt medical assessment because it can make people very unwell and may require antibiotics quickly.
Symptoms may include:
- pain when urinating
- fever, chills or shivering
- pain in the back, side or loin
- nausea or vomiting
- cloudy, smelly or bloody urine
- feeling very weak, tired or unwell
- confusion or sudden deterioration, especially in older adults
If you have UTI symptoms plus fever, back pain, vomiting or feeling very unwell, do not treat it as simple cystitis. Seek same-day medical advice.
3. Kidney stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the urinary system. Small stones may pass without much discomfort, but larger stones can cause severe pain, especially if they move into the ureter, the tube between the kidney and bladder.
Kidney stone pain is often very different from simple cystitis. It may be severe, come in waves, affect the side or back, and move towards the lower abdomen, groin or testicle. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, needing to pee often or pain when urinating.
The NHS lists kidney stone symptoms such as pain in the side of the abdomen, severe pain that comes and goes, and feeling sick or vomiting. A stone that blocks the ureter can also contribute to kidney infection, with symptoms such as fever, shivering, weakness and cloudy or bad-smelling urine. See the NHS kidney stones guide and NHS kidney stone symptoms page.
Seek urgent help if you have severe side or back pain, fever, vomiting, visible blood in the urine, or pain that is not settling.
4. Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, can cause pain when peeing. This is especially important if symptoms started after new sexual contact, unprotected sex, a new partner, multiple partners, or if there is genital discharge, bleeding, pelvic pain, testicular pain, sores, blisters or itching.
STIs that may cause painful urination include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and genital herpes. Some people have no symptoms, so absence of symptoms in a partner does not rule out infection.
The NHS lists pain when peeing as a possible STI symptom, along with unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus, genital itching, rashes, sores, blisters or unusual bleeding. See the official NHS STI guide.
If an STI is possible, a sexual health clinic is often the best place to go. Testing is usually straightforward, and many STIs are treatable. Avoid sex, or use condoms, until you have been tested and treated if needed.
5. Urethritis
Urethritis means inflammation of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. It can cause burning when peeing, urethral discomfort, discharge, irritation or pain at the tip of the penis. It is often caused by an STI such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia, but not always.
The NHS explains that urethritis is swelling and soreness of the urethra and is often caused by an STI that needs antibiotic treatment. See the NHS urethritis guide.
Urethritis should not be ignored because untreated infection can spread and may affect partners. If you have discharge, burning after sex or symptoms after a new partner, arrange STI testing.
6. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs and often causes no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include pain when peeing, unusual vaginal or penile discharge, pelvic pain, bleeding after sex or between periods, pain in the testicles, or rectal symptoms after anal sex.
The NHS notes that chlamydia can cause a burning feeling when peeing and, in people with a penis, cloudy or watery discharge and testicular pain or swelling. See the NHS chlamydia guide.
Because chlamydia can be silent, testing matters if there has been possible exposure.
7. Thrush and vulval irritation
Not all stinging when you pee comes from inside the bladder. Sometimes urine passes over sore, inflamed or cracked skin around the vulva or penis, causing stinging even though the urine itself is not the problem.
Thrush can cause itching, irritation, soreness, redness and stinging during sex or when peeing. In women, it may cause white vaginal discharge that often does not smell. In men, it can cause irritation, redness, itching, discharge under the foreskin or soreness around the head of the penis.
The NHS describes thrush symptoms including itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina, and soreness or stinging during sex or when peeing. See the NHS thrush guide.
Thrush is not the only cause of genital soreness. Soaps, bubble baths, scented wipes, douches, lubricants, spermicides, sanitary products, tight clothing, shaving irritation, eczema, lichen sclerosus, herpes and other infections can all cause burning or stinging.
You may also find AllHealth’s guide to thrush vs BV and vaginal discharge useful if discharge or irritation is present.
8. Prostatitis
Prostatitis means inflammation of the prostate gland. It can affect anyone with a prostate and may be sudden and severe or more long-lasting and recurrent.
Symptoms may include:
- pain or burning when peeing
- needing to pee often or urgently
- difficulty starting to pee or straining
- pain in the penis, testicles, scrotum, pelvis, lower back or bottom
- pain when ejaculating
- fever or feeling unwell in acute infection
The NHS lists pain when peeing, difficulty peeing, needing to pee more often, pain in the penis, scrotum, testicles or bottom, pain when ejaculating and high temperature among possible prostatitis symptoms. See the NHS prostatitis guide.
Acute bacterial prostatitis can make someone very unwell and needs prompt medical assessment. If you have fever, pelvic pain and difficulty passing urine, seek urgent help.
Related AllHealth guides include prostatitis symptoms, causes and treatment, enlarged prostate symptoms and prostate cancer symptoms.
9. Bladder irritation without infection
Sometimes urine tests do not show infection, but symptoms still feel like cystitis. Bladder irritation can be triggered by dehydration, caffeine, alcohol, acidic drinks, spicy foods, some medicines, vigorous sex, pelvic floor tension, vaginal dryness, menopause-related changes, or an underlying bladder pain condition.
Some people have recurrent bladder pain, urgency and frequency without clear infection. This needs proper assessment because repeated antibiotics are not always the answer, and other causes may need to be considered.
10. Menopause and vaginal dryness
After menopause, lower oestrogen levels can make the vaginal and urethral tissues thinner, drier and more easily irritated. This can cause burning, soreness, pain during sex, urinary urgency, recurrent UTI-like symptoms or stinging when passing urine.
This is sometimes called genitourinary syndrome of menopause. It can be mistaken for repeated UTIs. Treatment may include moisturisers, lubricants or local vaginal oestrogen, depending on the person and medical history.
For related background, see AllHealth’s guides to menopause symptoms and HRT and PMS.
11. Blood in the urine
Blood in the urine can happen with UTIs, kidney stones, vigorous exercise, trauma, prostate problems and other causes. Sometimes the urine looks pink, red, brown or tea-coloured. Sometimes blood is only detected on a urine dipstick.
Visible blood in the urine should be taken seriously, especially if it is painless, recurrent, associated with clots, or occurs in someone older, a smoker, or someone with risk factors for bladder or kidney disease.
If you have blood in your urine, arrange medical advice. If there is severe pain, fever, inability to pass urine or large clots, seek urgent help. You may also find AllHealth’s guide to urine test results explained useful.
12. Skin conditions and contact irritation
Burning when urine touches the skin can be caused by dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, shaving cuts, friction, tight clothing, allergic reactions, scented products or irritation from pads, condoms, lubricants or spermicides.
This kind of pain may be felt more on the outside than deep inside the bladder. There may be itching, redness, soreness, cracks, white patches, ulcers or pain during sex.
If symptoms keep returning, avoid perfumed products around the genital area and seek medical advice rather than repeatedly self-treating as UTI or thrush.
UTI or STI: how can you tell?
UTIs and STIs can both cause pain when peeing, and symptoms can overlap. It is not always possible to tell without testing.
A UTI is more likely if there is urinary urgency, frequency, lower tummy discomfort, cloudy urine and no sexual exposure risk. An STI is more likely if there is discharge from the penis, vagina or anus, genital sores, testicular pain, pelvic pain, bleeding after sex, symptoms after a new partner, or a partner with symptoms.
However, this is not a perfect rule. Some STIs cause only mild burning. Some UTIs cause blood in the urine. Some people have both. If there is any possibility of STI, testing is the safest approach.
UTI or kidney stone: how can you tell?
A simple lower UTI often causes burning, urgency and frequent urination. A kidney stone more often causes severe pain in the side or back that comes in waves and may move towards the groin, often with nausea, vomiting or blood in the urine.
But stones can irritate the bladder and make you need to pee more often. They can also cause infection if they block urine flow. If you have severe pain, fever, vomiting or visible blood, seek urgent medical advice.
Pain when urinating in women
In women, common causes include cystitis, kidney infection, STIs, thrush, BV, genital herpes, vaginal dryness, irritation from products, pregnancy-related urinary infection, and pelvic conditions.
UTIs are more common in women because the urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Triggers can include sex, pregnancy, menopause, wiping back to front, constipation, diabetes, urinary catheters, kidney stones or problems emptying the bladder.
Pregnancy deserves special attention. If you are pregnant and have pain when urinating, urinary frequency, fever, back pain or feeling unwell, contact your midwife, GP, maternity triage or NHS 111 promptly. UTIs in pregnancy are usually taken more seriously because of the risk of complications.
Pain when urinating in men
In men, pain when urinating can be caused by UTI, urethritis, STIs, prostatitis, enlarged prostate, kidney stones, bladder problems, irritation or genital skin conditions.
UTIs are less common in younger men than in women, so clinicians may be more likely to look for causes such as STI, prostate inflammation, urinary retention, kidney stones or structural issues. Men with fever, pelvic pain, testicular pain, discharge, difficulty peeing or recurrent symptoms should seek medical advice.
Do not ignore penile discharge, testicular pain or pain after a new sexual contact. Sexual health clinics can test and treat STIs confidentially.
Pain when urinating in children
Children may not describe burning clearly. They may cry when passing urine, pass urine more often, wet themselves after being dry, have tummy pain, fever, vomiting, poor feeding, tiredness or strong-smelling urine.
UTIs in children need medical assessment, especially if there is fever, back pain, vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, repeated infections or the child is very young.
What tests might be needed?
The right tests depend on symptoms, age, sex, pregnancy status, sexual history, previous UTIs, medical conditions and whether there are red flags.
Possible tests include:
- urine dipstick to look for signs of infection, blood, protein or other abnormalities
- urine culture to identify bacteria and which antibiotics may work
- pregnancy test where relevant
- STI tests, usually urine samples or swabs depending on symptoms and exposure
- blood tests if kidney infection, inflammation, kidney function problems or sepsis is suspected
- kidney function blood tests if there is concern about the kidneys or dehydration
- ultrasound or CT scan if stones, obstruction or complications are suspected
- prostate assessment if prostatitis, urinary retention or enlarged prostate is possible
For more background, see AllHealth’s guides to urine test results explained, kidney blood test results and how to understand blood test results.
What can help while waiting for advice?
If symptoms are mild and you are otherwise well, simple measures may help while you arrange pharmacy or GP advice.
- drink enough fluids so you are not dehydrated, but do not force excessive water
- avoid alcohol and too much caffeine while symptoms are active
- avoid perfumed soaps, bubble baths, vaginal douches and scented wipes around the genital area
- use simple pain relief if suitable for you and safe with your medical history
- avoid sex if an STI is possible until testing and treatment are complete
- do not delay medical help if fever, back pain, vomiting, pregnancy or blood in urine is present
Do not take leftover antibiotics. The wrong antibiotic, dose or duration may not treat the problem and can contribute to resistance. If symptoms suggest UTI, a pharmacist, GP, urgent care service or sexual health clinic can advise on the safest route depending on your situation.
Can you prevent painful urination?
Prevention depends on the cause. For recurrent UTIs, helpful steps may include drinking enough fluid, not delaying urination for long periods, treating constipation, managing diabetes well, avoiding spermicide if it seems to trigger symptoms, and discussing recurrent infections with a clinician.
For STI prevention, condoms reduce risk, and regular testing is important if you have new or multiple partners. For genital irritation, avoid scented products and harsh washing. For kidney stones, prevention depends on stone type, but good hydration is often part of the advice.
If symptoms keep returning, it is worth getting a proper diagnosis rather than repeatedly self-treating. Recurrent “UTIs” may turn out to be bladder pain syndrome, vaginal dryness, STI, pelvic floor dysfunction, prostatitis, stones or another condition.
When to see a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic
A pharmacist may be able to help with uncomplicated lower UTI symptoms in some women, depending on local services and eligibility. A GP is more appropriate if symptoms are recurrent, severe, complicated, associated with other medical conditions, or if you are pregnant, male, a child, older and frail, immunosuppressed, or have kidney disease.
A sexual health clinic is often the best choice if there is any possibility of STI, especially with discharge, genital sores, testicular pain, pelvic pain, bleeding after sex, symptoms after a new partner, or a partner who has symptoms or has tested positive.
Seek urgent same-day advice if you have fever, back pain, vomiting, visible blood in the urine, pregnancy, severe pain, inability to pass urine, or you feel very unwell.
The bottom line
Pain when urinating is common, but it is not always a simple UTI. It can be caused by bladder infection, kidney infection, kidney stones, STIs, urethritis, thrush, genital irritation, prostatitis, menopause-related dryness, skin conditions or medication-related irritation.
The key is to look at the whole pattern. Burning with urgency and frequency suggests lower UTI. Burning with discharge or symptoms after sex suggests STI or urethritis. Pain with fever and back pain suggests kidney infection. Severe wave-like side pain with blood in the urine suggests kidney stones. Stinging only when urine touches sore skin suggests vulval, vaginal, penile or skin irritation.
If symptoms are mild, pharmacy or GP advice may be enough. If symptoms are severe, recurrent, associated with fever, back pain, vomiting, pregnancy, blood in urine or inability to pass urine, seek medical help promptly.
FAQ: pain when urinating
What is the most common cause of pain when urinating?
A urinary tract infection is one of the most common causes, especially in women. However, painful urination can also be caused by STIs, kidney stones, thrush, genital irritation, prostatitis, menopause-related dryness and other conditions.
Does burning when I pee always mean a UTI?
No. Burning when peeing can be caused by UTI, but it can also happen with chlamydia, gonorrhoea, urethritis, thrush, herpes, irritated skin, vaginal dryness, kidney stones or bladder irritation without infection.
How can I tell if it is a UTI or STI?
UTI is more likely if you have urgency, frequency, lower tummy discomfort and cloudy urine. STI is more likely if there is discharge, genital sores, testicular pain, pelvic pain, bleeding after sex or symptoms after a new partner. Testing is the only reliable way to know in many cases.
Can kidney stones make it hurt to pee?
Yes. Kidney stones can cause pain when peeing, blood in the urine, urinary urgency and severe pain in the side, back or groin. Severe pain, fever or vomiting should be assessed urgently.
When should I worry about pain when urinating?
Seek urgent advice if pain when urinating comes with fever, chills, back or side pain, vomiting, pregnancy, visible blood in the urine, severe pelvic or testicular pain, inability to pass urine, confusion or feeling very unwell.
Can thrush cause stinging when peeing?
Yes. Thrush can cause soreness, itching and irritation. Urine passing over inflamed skin can sting. Thrush often causes itching and, in women, white discharge that usually does not smell.
Can dehydration cause burning when peeing?
Concentrated urine can irritate the bladder or urethra and may make stinging feel worse. However, persistent burning, frequency, fever, blood or pain should not be blamed on dehydration without assessment.
Is blood in urine with burning always a UTI?
No. Blood in the urine can happen with UTI, but also with kidney stones, prostate problems, trauma and other bladder or kidney conditions. Visible or recurrent blood in urine should be assessed.
Can prostatitis cause pain when urinating?
Yes. Prostatitis can cause burning when peeing, difficulty peeing, pelvic pain, testicular or penile pain, pain when ejaculating and sometimes fever. Acute symptoms need prompt medical advice.
Can I treat a UTI without antibiotics?
Some mild lower UTI symptoms may improve, but antibiotics are needed in many cases, especially if symptoms are significant or there are risk factors. Pregnant people, men, children, people with kidney disease, fever or back pain should seek medical advice rather than self-treating.
Should I go to a sexual health clinic?
Yes, if an STI is possible. This includes symptoms after new or unprotected sexual contact, discharge, sores, testicular pain, pelvic pain, bleeding after sex, or a partner with symptoms or a positive STI test.
Why does it hurt at the end of peeing?
Pain at the end of urination can happen with bladder irritation or cystitis, but it is not specific. It can also occur with stones, urethral irritation, prostate problems or genital soreness.
Can soap or scented products cause burning when peeing?
Yes. Perfumed soaps, bubble baths, scented wipes, douches, deodorants, spermicides and some lubricants can irritate genital skin or the urethra, causing burning or stinging.
What tests are used for painful urination?
Tests may include urine dipstick, urine culture, pregnancy test, STI tests, blood tests, kidney function tests or imaging if stones or complications are suspected.
Can painful urination go away by itself?
Sometimes mild irritation or mild UTI symptoms can improve, but persistent, recurrent or severe symptoms need assessment. Do not wait if you have fever, back pain, vomiting, pregnancy, blood in urine or difficulty passing urine.
