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Urethritis -

Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra. As we pee, urine passes through it, and it can hurt if the thin tube is irritated.

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Urethritis -

This is quite a common condition, and can be triggered by a number of things, from soap to STIs. Urethritis can come with other symptoms, including itchiness, pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, and penile discharge in men.

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Sexually transmitted infections -

Many STIs, including chlamydia, genital herpes, and gonorrhea, can cause painful urination. Though some also come with other symptoms (e.g. discharge).

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Sexually transmitted infections -

It’s always a good idea to get checked for STIs (some are asymptomatic). While most are treatable, if left untreated, some STIs can affect fertility, and even be passed on to fetuses.

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Pelvic inflammatory disease -

Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, can occur when a STI is left untreated. This is particularly true for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

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Pelvic inflammatory disease -

PID not only causes painful urination, but it can also cause vaginal discharge, bleeding during intercourse, and affect fertility.

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Bladder endometriosis -

Endometriosis affects many women, but bladder endometriosis is not as common. It can indeed cause painful urination.

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Bladder endometriosis -

Endometrial tissue can grow around or inside the bladder, which consequently can cause pain urinating and around the pelvis and lower back. Bladder endometriosis may also prompt more trips to the bathroom.

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Urinary tract infections -

This is indeed a very common cause of painful urination. UTIs are particularly common in women, with a whopping one in two women experiencing one at least once throughout their lives.

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Urinary tract infections -

Lower urinary tract infections are the most common form of UTI. They are triggered by microbes entering through urethra and may reach the bladder sometimes.

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Urinary tract infections -

Treatment will depend on the type of microbe. If it’s a bacterial infection, it will be treated with antibiotics. If it’s a fungal one, it will require antifungal medication.

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Urinary tract infections -

In addition to painful urination, beware of any urgency to go to the bathroom, what your urine looks like (e.g. if it is dark or cloudy), and if there is any particular smell when you pee.

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Kidney stones -

These tiny mineral deposits can cause an excruciating deal of pain when you pass them through your whole urinary tract.

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Kidney stones -

Some might only cause some discomfort, but bigger ones will surely be noticed when you pee. Pelvic and lower back pain is also usually part of the package.

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Diet -

Some foods and drinks can irritate your bladder, and as a consequence cause painful urination. Common offenders are coffee, chocolate, and apple juice.

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Diet -

Citrus fruits, pineapple, strawberries, and dairy products are also common culprits. Unfortunately, finding out exactly what is irritating your bladder is no easy task. You’d have to eliminate any potential trigger foods and then introduce them again and monitor your body’s reaction.

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Prostatitis -

When the prostate becomes inflamed, one of the symptoms is painful urination. There is also pain in the stomach and pelvic area.

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Prostatitis -

Treatment will depend on if it’s due to a bacterial infection. In which case, antibiotics will suffice. Chronic prostatitis, however, may require other types of care, including anti-inflammatory medication.

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Cystitis -

Cystitis is essentially an inflammation of the bladder, and it can be quite painful. E. coli bacteria is one of the common culprits.

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Cystitis -

You can get it from contaminated food or water, as well as from other people. Staying hydrated and consuming an alkalizing agent such as baking soda might help. Luckily, once you’ve had it, your body will produce antibodies to fight it so it’s more unlikely for you to get it again in the future.

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Hygiene products -

The hygiene products you’re using may be irritating your intimate areas. This can be the soap you wash yourself with, as well as things such as sitting in a bubble bath, douching, and using certain laundry detergents.

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Hygiene products -

"The vagina has a good self-cleaning protocol, if you will, to keep its pH in balance and keep things in order," explains gynecologist Alyssa Dweck.

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Urethral stricture -

This condition can make the urethra narrower and cause scarring, resulting in painful urination. Urethral stricture can be caused by numerous things, including an STI or the use of a catheter, as well as some cancers and their respective treatments.

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Urethral stricture -

Other symptoms of urethral stricture include difficulty in emptying the bladder completely, and changes in the urine stream.

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Yeast infections -

Yeast infections are caused by fungal growth. These are indeed quite common in women, and can also cause itchiness, discharge, and swelling.

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Yeast infections -

Yeast infections are easy to treat, and usually an antifungal medication will suffice. Delaying treatment can, however, make things worse and other symptoms may appear, such as cracked skin.

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Cancer treatment -

People who undergo treatment for certain types of cancer in the pelvic area can also suffer from painful urination.

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Cancer treatment -

The condition is known as radiation induced cystitis. Radiotherapy to the pelvic area can cause inflammation of the bladder, making it irritated and swollen, causing pain when you go to the toilet.

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Bladder cancer -

Painful urination is one of the symptoms of bladder cancer. Patients also report a burning sensation while peeing, as well as a less powerful stream than usual.

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Bladder cancer -

Blood in the urine is also another symptom. While many of these symptoms are similar to other conditions, it’s important that you get them checked out nonetheless, to rule out any other serious causes, such as cancer.

Sources: (Health Digest) (SELF) (Cancer Research UK) (Healthline) (Johns Hopkins Women's Center for Pelvic Health)

See also: Bladder cancer: the signs, symptoms, and treatments

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