Burning sensation when urinating

Burning sensation when urinating is a very common complaint among men and women of all ages. Because of their anatomy, penis, vagina and anus are very susceptible to infections and other problems. Burning while urinating is one of the main signs that something is wrong with the urinary tract or with the genitals.

Causes of burning sensation when urinating

Urinary tract infections or UTI are the most common cause of burning sensation when urinating, especially in women. In fact, it is estimated that one in five women suffer from UTI at least once a year. The reason why women are more susceptible to them is that the man’s urethra is much longer and they also have prostate gland that secretes fluids with certain antibacterial substances. When the bacteria enter the urinary tract, they progress upwards and cause infection in any part of the tract, although it is most commonly the bladder. One of the symptoms of UTI is burning when urinating.

Sexually transmitted diseases or STD are another major cause of burning sensation when urinating. Many diseases fall into this group and the most common ones are chlamydia, gonorrhea and genital herpes. These diseases have many other symptoms, like foul-smelling discharge, itching, pain, sores, and burning while urinating is one of them.

Kidney disease also lists burning sensation when urinating as one of the symptoms. In case of a kidney infection, it is very easy for the bacteria to descend to the bladder and the urethra. Kidney stones are also known for causing this symptom.

Other causes may include side effects of certain medications, cystitis, vaginal candidiasis, allergies, enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, etc.

Treatment for burning sensation when urinating

It is very important to see a doctor as soon as the burning sensation is noticed. The causes behind this symptom should be treated as soon as possible, so they do not progress and cause even more complications. This especially applies on infections. If they are not treated on time, they can spread on other organs and become very difficult to treat.

Urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases are treated with prescription medications, usually antibiotics, which must be taken according to the doctor’s instructions and they should not be discontinued as soon as the symptoms stop, otherwise the problem may reoccur very soon.

In case of STD, doctors may also prescribe some topical ointments to fight the infection. Kidney stones often pass on their own as they evacuate the urinary tract, but if the pain and other symptoms are severe, it is probably best to go in for the treatment.