Dysuria is when you have discomfort or pain when urinating. It's often described as a painful ache or burning feeling. Learn more about this problem and how it can be treated.

Possible causes include:

• Infection with a bacteria or virus, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• Sensitivity or allergy to chemicals, such as those found in lotions and other products
• Prostate or bladder problems
• Radiation therapy to the pelvic area

Your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms and health history. After talking with you and doing a physical exam, your doctor may or may not know what's causing your dysuria. You'll most likely need more testing, such as a urine sample. Tests of your urine (urinalysis) will include:

• Looking at the urine sample (visual exam)
• Checking for substances (chemical exam)
• Looking at a small amount of the urine under a microscope (microscopic exam)

Some parts of the urine test may be done in the doctor's office. Others may be done in a lab. The urine sample may also be checked for bacteria and yeast (urine culture). Your doctor will tell you more about additional tests if they're needed.

Treatment depends on the cause. If you have a bacterial infection, you may need antibiotics. You may be given medicines to make it easier for you to urinate and to help ease pain. Your doctor can tell you more about your treatment choices once a diagnosis is made. If not treated, symptoms may get worse.

Contact the doctor or seek medical care right away if you have any of the following:

• Fever of 100.4° F ( 38°C ) or higher, or as directed by your doctor
• No improvement after 3 days of treatment
• Trouble urinating because of pain
• New or increased discharge from the vagina or penis
• Rash or joint pain
• Increased back or belly pain
• Enlarged painful lymph nodes (lumps) in the groin