What best describes your symptoms?
These clues can help show what may be causing the pain.
Burning when you pee
A burning or stinging feeling when passing urine is one of the most common forms of painful urination.
Burning with discharge
Pain during urination together with discharge from the penis or vagina may suggest an infection or STI.
Pain with blood in the urine
Blood in the urine can have several causes and should be assessed, especially if it keeps happening.
Pain and needing to pee often
Needing to pass urine frequently, with burning or lower abdominal discomfort, can happen with a urinary tract infection.
Pain after unprotected sex
If the burning started after unprotected sex, an STI should be considered and testing may be needed.
Pain with other genital symptoms
Itching, sores, unusual discharge or pelvic pain can help point to the cause.
What could be causing the pain?
Pain when passing urine can come from the urinary tract, genitals or nearby tissues.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
A UTI can cause burning when passing urine, frequent urination and lower abdominal discomfort.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can cause burning when urinating, often with discharge from the penis or vagina.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia may cause burning when passing urine, discharge or pelvic discomfort, although many people have no symptoms.
Irritation
Soaps, washes, lubricants and other products can sometimes irritate the genital area.
Vaginal infections
In women, some vaginal infections can cause burning or irritation around the time of urination.
Other urinary problems
Kidney stones and some other urinary conditions can also cause pain when passing urine.
When should you get checked?
New or persistent painful urination should not simply be ignored.
Consider STI testing if...
✓ You recently had unprotected sex
✓ You have discharge
✓ You have genital sores
✓ You have a new sexual partner
✓ Your partner has an STI
Get medical advice if...
✓ The pain keeps coming back
✓ Symptoms are not improving
✓ You need to urinate very often
✓ You have lower abdominal pain
✓ You are worried about an STI
Seek urgent care if...
✓ You have fever
✓ You have severe pain
✓ You are vomiting
✓ You cannot pass urine
✓ There is significant blood in your urine
✓ You are becoming much more unwell
How SRHN can help
Get confidential support from Nigerian clinicians without the embarrassment of going through your concern alone.
Discuss your symptoms
Tell us where it hurts, when it started and what other symptoms you have.
Get testing guidance
Find out whether STI testing or other medical tests may be appropriate.
Review your results
Already had a urine or STI test? Get help understanding what your result means.
Get treatment support
Get guidance on the next steps when an infection or other condition needs treatment.
What should you do now?
The right treatment depends on the cause.
Avoid guessing with antibiotics
Burning when passing urine does not always mean you have the same infection as someone else. Avoid repeatedly taking antibiotics without knowing the cause. The right medicine depends on what is causing your symptoms.
Common questions about painful urination
Quick answers to questions people commonly ask.
What causes pain or burning when passing urine?
Common causes include urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, irritation and some vaginal or urinary conditions. The other symptoms you have can help point to the cause.
Could burning when I pee be an STI?
Yes. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause burning or pain when passing urine. You may also notice discharge, itching, sores or pelvic pain.
How do I know if it is a UTI or an STI?
The symptoms can overlap. Frequent urination and lower abdominal discomfort may happen with a UTI, while discharge, genital sores or a recent sexual exposure may make an STI more likely. Testing may be needed to know for sure.
Can a woman have burning when passing urine because of a vaginal infection?
Yes. Irritation around the vagina or vulva can make passing urine painful. Some vaginal infections can also cause itching, unusual discharge or irritation.
Can a man have burning when passing urine without an STI?
Yes. Burning can also happen with a urinary infection, irritation or other urinary conditions. A clinician can help determine what is most likely.
Should I get tested after unprotected sex?
If you develop burning when passing urine after unprotected sex, STI testing is worth considering. Testing can help identify infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Can I treat painful urination myself?
It is better not to repeatedly self-medicate without knowing the cause. Different infections and conditions need different treatments.
When should I seek urgent medical care?
Seek urgent care if you have fever, severe pain, vomiting, inability to pass urine, significant blood in the urine or symptoms that are getting worse quickly.