Burning Sensation After Urinating But No Infection: Causes and Tips

“UTIs are the most typical trigger and normally the very first thing we wish to rule out,” says Karl J. Kreder, MD, MBA, a professor of urology on the University of Iowa. A UTI (urinary tract an infection) is a bacterial an infection that may trigger dysuria—i.e., a burning or itching sensation when urinating. UTIs can usually be detected with at-home take a look at kits and a urine tradition at your physician’s workplace.

However in the event you’ve dominated out an an infection, it isn’t a lifeless finish. There are a number of different well being situations that could possibly be the wrongdoer. Learn on to be taught the most typical causes of post-pee burning, signs to look out for, and when to see a doc about your discomfort.

Associated Tales

9 causes of a burning sensation after urinating

The explanations for burning submit urination vary from delicate to extra extreme. Listed below are the highest causes.

1. You could have interstitial cystitis (aka, painful bladder syndrome)

Interstitial cystitis (IC)—generally known as painful bladder syndrome—could cause painful urination with out an infection. This ache can really feel like burning, stabbing, or an aching, heavy feeling in your pelvic ground. Different signs embrace the next, per the Mayo Clinic:

• Power pelvic ache
• A persistent, pressing must urinate
• Frequent urination (usually in small quantities) all through the day and evening
• Ache or discomfort when your bladder fills

IC can worsen if you’re in your interval or after intercourse, however the actual explanation for the situation is basically unknown. Docs suspect, although, that it is related to irritation, autoimmune reactions, or genetics, per the Mayo Clinic.

“Interstitial cystitis might be accompanied by wider unfold ache all through the physique,” provides Dr. Kreder. He says it’s a prognosis of exclusion, which means a physician will take a look at for different causes and if all the pieces is adverse, you could get an IC prognosis.

deal with it

The primary line of remedy for IC is life-style adjustments like ingesting extra water, eliminating meals or drinks (like espresso) that set off flare-ups, and lowering stress. Your physician might also refer you to a pelvic floor therapist to assist strengthen your pelvic ground muscle mass. In extreme circumstances, your physician can prescribe an oral overactive bladder (OAB) treatment to alleviate urinary discomfort, per the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

2. It is a being pregnant aspect impact

When you get urinary tract irritation if you’re pregnant or postpartum, it is most probably due to a UTI, in keeping with Stanford Health. However that’s not the one potential motive. It is also on account of pores and skin irritation or irritation within the urethra—from hormone adjustments throughout being pregnant, says Apurva Pancholy, MD, a urogynecologist with UTHealth Houston.

deal with it

When you’re pregnant (or not too long ago had a child) and really feel even slight burning after urination, attain out to your physician, says Dr. Pancholy. They will help you determine the trigger, and resolve on the correct remedy plan.

3. You could have bladder or kidney stones

A post-void burning sensation that is sharp or intense might be from bladder or kidney stones. Bladder stones are onerous clumps of minerals discovered within the bladder, usually attributable to a small quantity of urine remaining within the bladder after peeing, per the Cleveland Clinic. Kidney stones, then again, are onerous clumps discovered all through your urinary tract, which usually type from too many minerals and too little liquid in your pee, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Usually, a burning sensation occurs proper earlier than you cross a kidney or bladder stone, says Dr. Kreder. Different signs he mentions embrace the next:

• Ache in your decrease stomach, again, or flank (sides)
• Vaginal or testicle ache
• Blood in urine
• Nausea
• Chills
• Fever

deal with it

Whereas it may be extraordinarily painful, most bladder or kidney stones cross by the urinary tract on their very own—with out medical intervention. When you suppose you are passing a stone, drink plenty of water and attain out to your physician to run blood or urine checks. These checks might assist forestall future stones and docs might also present treatment or help to assist your present stone cross extra simply.

4. You are in menopause

Menopause is usually a time the place noninfectious urinary signs are likely to pop up. Throughout this life transition, your estrogen ranges drop. This lower could cause irritation or irritation of the urethra, says Dr. Pancholy. Researchers have named this situation genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), per April 2020 analysis in Cureus. Whereas signs can fluctuate, many individuals really feel a burning sensation throughout or after peeing and vaginal dryness.

deal with it

“Numerous occasions, this may be handled with topical estrogen,” says Dr. Kreder. Different choices embrace nonhormonal lubricants, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), or different hormone therapies. When you’re transitioning to menopause (otherwise you’re already in it), do not be afraid to let your physician learn about your menopause symptoms, so you will get correct remedy.

5. You could have urethral stricture illness

When you’re an individual with a penis, urethral burning after peeing could possibly be from one thing known as urethral stricture illness. This situation causes your urethra to slim, which may sluggish the stream of pee out of your bladder and result in ache or burning if you pee. Different signs can embrace the next, per Mount Sinai:

• Feeling like it’s a must to urinate proper after a visit to the toilet
• Frequent or pressing must urinate
• Pelvic or urethral ache
• Bleeding
• Over time, recurrent UTIs or kidney harm

deal with it

Apart from carefully monitoring your signs and relieving ache with treatment, there are a number of completely different procedures that may be finished to assist with urethral stricture. This consists of urethral dilatation (a process the place the urethra is widened or stretched) or inside urethrotomy (the place it’s widened by slicing out scar tissue). If each do not supply aid, you could want a surgical procedure to reconstruct your urethra.

6. It is nonbacterial urethritis

One other situation that may occur in case you have a penis, nonbacterial urethritis is ache and swelling of the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. Whereas this situation would not occur from micro organism (therefore the title), it may possibly consequence from an STI like chlamydia or gonorrhea, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This generally causes burning if you pee, however extra particularly could cause burning pee after ejaculation, a sore tip of the penis, pelvic ache, or white, cloudy discharge from the penis, per the NHS.

deal with it

Treating nonbacterial urethritis will rely on the trigger. If it is from an STI, you will seemingly must abstain from intercourse and take antibiotics to deal with any lingering an infection, per the NHS. If it is from different causes, your physician might prescribe anti-inflammatory meds to assist take down any swelling or discomfort.

7. You could have pelvic inflammatory illness

If this uncomfortable feeling after peeing is accompanied by different signs like fever or uncommon vaginal discharge, pelvic inflammatory illness (PID) could also be guilty. This an infection is usually the results of an untreated STI—normally chlamydia or gonorrhea, per the CDC. Different frequent signs to look out for embrace the next, per the CDC:

• Ache or bleeding throughout intercourse
• A foul odor out of your vagina
• Bleeding between durations

Treating PID as quickly as doable is necessary as a result of, even after remedy, PID might result in fertility points. In truth, in keeping with the CDC, 1 in 8 girls with a historical past of PID have issue getting pregnant.

deal with it

Treating PID usually comes all the way down to treating the underlying STI or an infection. To determine which STI you are coping with, your physician can carry out an STI take a look at and prescribe the correct antibiotic, per the CDC.

8. It is from an STI

“Any an infection of the urinary tract could cause a burning sensation when urinating, and that features STIs,” says Dr. Kreder. The STIs most probably to trigger urinary discomfort after peeing are chlamydia or gonorrhea, however there are others that may trigger comparable signs. Different indicators of STIs usually embrace the next, per the Mayo Clinic:

• Pelvic ache
• Sores in your genital, oral, or rectal space
• Uncommon discharge out of your vagina or penis
• Uncommon vaginal bleeding
• Pain during sex
• Fever
• Widespread rash

As a way to work out which STI you are coping with, your physician can run an STI screening or a collection of blood or urine checks, per the Mayo Clinic.

deal with it

After getting examined, your physician can work out the proper remedy plan for you. It will usually embrace taking antibiotics to deal with your an infection and abstaining from intercourse to cease the unfold of illness.

9. In uncommon circumstances, it may be bladder most cancers

Bladder most cancers isn’t as frequent, however its early warning indicators usually embrace noninfectious urinary tract signs. Chances are you’ll discover blood in your urine, have the urge to urinate extra usually, get again ache, or get a burning sensation after you pee, per the Mayo Clinic. In late levels, it may possibly additionally trigger ache in your pelvis or different bones or joints.

deal with it

Bladder most cancers is identified by a collection of checks like a cystoscopy (the place a small digicam is inserted into your bladder to view the tissue), a biopsy, and urine samples, per the Mayo Clinic. Therapy usually includes rounds of radiation or chemotherapy and typically surgical procedure to take away the bladder.

cease a burning sensation after urinating

“Imagine it or not, adjustments in food plan are sometimes the primary line of remedy,” particularly in case you have IC, says Dr. Pancholy. He says frequent meals that may set off urinary discomfort embrace:

• Spicy meals
• Acidic meals (like tomatoes or citrus)
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Synthetic sweeteners

Together with food plan changes, Dr. Pancholy says it is necessary to drink loads of water all through the day, keep away from holding in pee for too lengthy, and calm down your pelvic muscle mass when peeing. Maintaining along with your private hygiene (that’s, washing “down there” regularly) and stopping an infection can be necessary.

And since your signs could possibly be associated to a a lot greater well being challenge, Dr. Pancholy recommends reaching out to your physician. They’ll prescribe any crucial medicines or refer you to a specialist—like a urologist, gynecologist, or perhaps a pelvic ground therapist.

Dr. Kreder says if you are going to attempt the pelvic ground remedy route, it is necessary not to attempt pelvic floor exercises by yourself simply but (i.e., with no therapist’s steering). Not all of the workout routines you discover on-line will get rid of that burning sensation earlier than, throughout, or after peeing; knowledgeable’s assistance is beneficial.

When to see a physician

“If burning with urination is a transient factor that occurred as soon as final week, I do not need anyone to get scared about it,” says Dr. Pancholy. However “if it is one thing that is occurring often, then it’s time to get evaluated as a result of there are therapies accessible,” he provides. A primary-care physician, gynecologist, or urologist ought to be capable to work out the underlying trigger and refer you to the correct specialist.

It is best to particularly attain out to your physician in case your burning sensation is accompanied by different crimson flags like blood in your urine, fever, or extreme ache, he provides.

The underside line? A frequent burning sensation “down there” would not all the time imply UTI, however your physician will help you determine the trigger. “There’s not one treatment that treats each case,” says Dr. Kreder. “A health care provider will create a prognosis based mostly on a affected person’s historical past, bodily examination, a urine tradition, and typically different checks.”

FAQ

How lengthy does it take for burning pee to go away?

The precise size is dependent upon the trigger. In some circumstances, burning pee can go away by itself in a number of days, particularly in the event you’re ingesting water, peeing often, and maintaining along with your private hygiene. Different occasions, it could last more and require medical consideration. In case your burning is constant or worsening (whether or not it is after you pee or not), it is best to let your physician know.

What treatment stops burning pee?

There are a number of completely different over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription treatment choices that may relieve a burning sensation if you pee. For instance, AZO (an OTC analgesic), will help relieve urinary ache and burning. NSAIDs (like Ibuprofen or acetaminophen) may assist quickly relieve ache. But when the burning is from an an infection, a prescription antibiotic is the one efficient remedy. (FYI, you may nonetheless use at-home UTI remedies like making use of warmth alongside meds, too!)

What meals are for optimum bladder well being?

A little bit-known bladder fact is that sure meals can truly assist (or irritate) it. The best foods for bladder health embrace fruits and veggies with a excessive water content material, comparable to peaches, papaya, cauliflower, and kale. High-fiber foods, together with entire grains, legumes, and potatoes, are additionally good choices.