Understanding Urinary Pain in Men: Causes & When to See a Doctor

Most men at one point or another will experience urinary pain. Urinary pain may dissipate quickly or it may indicate serious medical conditions.

Causes

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of male urinary pain is urethritis or prostatitis. Other possible causes include urinary tract infection, bladder stones, bladder infection, genital herpes, kidney infection, kidney stones and sexually transmitted diseases such as genital herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Effects

• Urinary pain is often described as a burning sensation during urination.

Considerations

• Consult a physician if urinary pain is severe and prolonged or if it is accompanied by fever, blood in the urine, back pain or if unusual discharge is leaking from the penis.

Identification

• The cause of urinary pain is diagnosed using a urinalysis to check for bacteria and other abnormalities in the urine. Men who are having penile discharge will also need a urethral swab test.

Treatments

• Treatments vary depending on the cause of the urinary pain. Urinary tract infections, for example, will require antibiotic treatment.