Painful urination or dysuria is a broad term that can occur due to many reasons and may originate in the urinary bladder, urethra, or the perineum. Dysuria is very common but, not in all cases, it is a minor problem. Pain, burning while peeing can indicate a number of medical conditions, some more serious. Below are 7 common causes of burning and itching while urinating in females.
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7 reasons for Burning & Itching while urinating
1. You have a urinary tract infection (UTI).
UTIs are the biggest culprit behind painful urination in most cases. As the name implies, a UTI or urinary tract infection occurs when any part of the urinary tract (like the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder or urethra) gets infected. That said, in most cases, it is usually the urinary bladder and urethra that get infected. Because their urethras are shorter, females tend to get more UTIs than men.
2. You have a yeast infection.
An uncomfortable burning sensation while peeing is also a common sign of yeast infections in females. A yeast infection happens due to an overgrowth of “yeast” inside the vagina. Yeast infections are pretty common, almost 3 out of 4 females at some point in their lifetimes experience yeast infections at least twice in their lives Besides burning sensation while urinating, a yeast infection often comes along with other symptoms including-
- Itchy or irritated vulva and vagina
- Redness or swelling in the vulva
- Soreness in the vagina
- A rash in or around the vagina
- Watery vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and has no odor
To avoid recurrent yeast infections, it is recommended to maintain good hygiene and wear cotton underwear for breathability.
3. You have Bacterial Vaginosis.
Bacterial vaginosis or BV occurs when the good and bad bacteria in the vagina get thrown out of whack due to sexual intercourse, feminine washes or other products. Imbalance in the vagina’s natural bacteria can lead to foul-smelling, fishy discharge along with burning while peeing. BV is actually the most common vaginal infection for females between the ages of 15 to 44, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). The symptoms of Bacterial vaginosis are quite similar to those of a yeast infection. Diagnosis and timely treatment of BV is essential to eradicate the disease, prevent recurrence and other complications.
4. You have an STD
Many STDs can cause painful urination as just one of their symptoms. Herpes, for example, an extremely common STD that causes sores on the mouth and genitals, is one STD that can cause painful urination. The urethra, vulva and vaginal tissues get inflamed and become extra sensitive when a female has STD, and may also hurt and cause a burning sensation while peeing.
Other STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis can also cause painful urination. So, it is essential to get the condition diagnosed and get the required treatment.
5. You have sex-related vaginal tears.
Sharp, sudden pain and burning while urinating might come with a wave of panic that something is wrong, but that is not always true. Small abrasions from sex can cause vaginal tears, which can cause pain or burning while peeing. To get relief from pain and burning while urinating, it is recommended to pour lukewarm water over the vaginal area while peeing to get relief. The warm water’s temperature helps interfere with the nerve pathways, which can prevent pain. To prevent this from happening in the future, it is recommended to use sufficient lubricant during sex.
6. You may have vaginal tears after childbirth.
Many females find themselves wondering why it burns when I pee after childbirth. In a vaginal delivery, all the tissue of the vagina stretches to a large extent to make room for the baby. This can cause vaginal and perineal tears or cuts.
7. Your feminine hygiene products can be blamed.
As discussed many times, your vagina does not need washes or hygiene products to keep it clean. Of course, you can clean the vulva and labia but not the vaginal canal. Vagina has a good self-cleaning protocol, which means that it can keep itself clean, as needed. Using artificial washes or products can possibly disturb the normal pH balance, causing infections or other troubles like foul-smelling discharge or pain while urinating. It is best to avoid using scented washes or foams for your intimates.
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