What Causes Burning Sensation During Urination

Posted on Tue, 20 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 Answered on

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor,
I have burning sensation while passing urine since yesterday. If I pass urine frequently,it doesn't happen but if I do after a long interval I feel a burning sensaton. I had an unexpected sexual encounter with a friend (only oral) few days back. I also had a couple of cigerettes (which I usually don't) & a lot of coffee and spicy food over 2-3 days.
Could my urinary irritation be due to one or more of the above? If it is bacterial, what medication should I take? Can I do a course of Azithral 500 (3 days)? Should I get urine tests done?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Symptoms mostly due to UTI.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query,based on the facts that you have posted it appears that you have developed UTI due to oral sex.

Oral mucosa contains plenty of bacterial flora hence there is high risk of getting UTI after unplanned oral sex.

Please take broad spectrum antibiotics like Cefixime along with urinary
antiseptic like Nitrofurantoin twice daily and urine alkaliser thrice daily.Later on switch on to appropriate antibiotics as per culture report.

Get the prescription of medicines from your family Physician.

Ensure to drink more water.To keep your urine dilute This will help to control dysuria.

Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (32 minutes later)

Hi Doctor,
Last time I had UTI, Cefixime didn't help me. Ultimately I had to take Azithral 500. Shall I start the same rightaway? Wouldn't the infection increase by the time Culture & sensitivity reports come out?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You can take Ciprofloxacin.

Detailed Answer:
ello
Thanks for follow up. Azithral acts mainly on gram + ve organisms where as UTI is mostly due to gram - ve organisms. You can take Ciprofloxacin twice daily .Culture report is available within 3 days .You can switch on to appropriate antibiotics as per culture report.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (42 minutes later)

Thank you Doctor.
As you insisted earlier, I visited a physician and he has put me on levofloxacin antibiotic (1-0-0 X 5), also URISPAS (Flavoxate HCl 1-0-1 X 3 days)& Citralka alkaliser (syrup twice daily).
I have deposited my sample for Urine C&S. I will let you know my once the reports are available on friday, 23rd XXXXXXX
I have been consuming enough water.

Can you please let me know how many days will be required for recovery?

Is there a reason to worry? This was my first sexual experience, Is it STD? Is it bad? Or does it happen commonly?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is nothing to be worried.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing again.Normally it takes 7-10 days for UTI to get cured.

It is not STD one acquires STD only after having penetrative intra vaginal sex and never with oral sex.

Do write after you get the reports.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (16 hours later)

Thanks Dr. XXXXXXX
I have started with my medication. But I see no improvement as yet. I hope the antibiotic levofloxacin has some effect on me by the time the Urine test reports arrive.
Meanwhile, talking to you helps me keep going strong whenever I start to feel scared and worried.
Thanks for being a great moral support.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do ot worry it will get cured.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.
It takes time to get results of any medicines .Continue he treatment and switch on to appropriate antibiotic as per culture report .

Do not worry .your UTI is bound t get cured within one week,

If you find time you can post your review about my suggestion on forum of Health Care Magic .
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (34 hours later)

Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
I just wanted to inform you of some symptoms. I can feel pain in my groins when gently pressed (like swollen lymph nodes) and also right around the navel if pressed.

Is it reason to worry?

Also, I masturbated last two nights at which time the burning increased, so I have not done any masturbation after last night.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pain around umbilicus and groin is due to UTI.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.
The pain around umbilicus and in groin is due to UTI and will get resolved once the infection is cured.
Avoid any sexual activities like masturbation or sex till you recover completely.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (13 hours later)

Thnaks Dr. XXXXXXX

Urine C & S report came negative.

A friend of mine who is a doctor is guessing that I have a classic case of chlamydia.
He has prescribed Azee 500 mg 2 tablets at once, n then 5 days of 400 MG (twice dauly) of Cefixime.
I am not sure of taking these medicines unless a report confirms that I have Chlamydia.

Can you please tell me if it is true?
What test can confirm Chlamydia?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is unlikely to be Chlamydia infection .

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.
Chlamydia infection is transmitted through intra vaginal penetrative sex and never by oral sex.

You can get this confirmed by doing swab test of urethral discharge .
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (16 hours later)

Hi Doctor,
There is no discharge from penis.
Any other tests that can be done to confirm Chlamydia?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Massaging penis at the base and perineum can help to get discharge.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query.
Normally one gets penile discharge if he has active chlamydia infection .You can get urethral discharge by massaging penis at he base and in perineum.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 days later)

Hi Doctor,
I took Azithromycin 1g (2 500mg tablets) on saturday night.
Sunday I visited a venereologist. He has prescribed ciplox 500 mg for 7 days.
Urine routine and microbiology was done. Puss cells 2-3, epithelial cells 1-2.
VDRL is non reactive.
Still, little burning comes once in a while while urinating.

I have two small sores on the glans, and a pimple on the bottom of the scrotum which I am afraid is going to turn into an abscess.
I am applying Fucid and acivir ointments mixed 1:1 as prescribed by doctor on the glans sores.
Also my left eye is turned red. showed it to the same doctor, he thinks it's just coincidental and is highly unlikely to be due to gonorrhea/chlamydia.

Overall, my venereoloist feels I am unlikely to have STD. It's due to excessive heat and UTI.

I have given eye discharge sample for SWAB GRAM's STAIN + Culture&Sensitivity.
Also, Urethral SWAB (though no discharge) for gram's stain + Culture&Sensitivity.

Also, last time urine Culture & Sensitivity came clear. I have given another sample for Urine C&S.
Awaiting reports.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Will be able to suggest after going through reports.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing again.Please upload reports so as to make any comments and suggest medication.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (29 hours later)

I have uploaded reports.
1) Eye swab - Gram's Stain - smear shows gram positive cocci in pairs
2) Urethral Swab - Gram's Stain - few epithelial cells with positive cocci in chains
3) Urethral Swab C & S - No growth
4) Urine C & S - No growth
5) Eye swab C & S - report not ready yet, microbiologist has extended the study as ther was no growth so far.

My questions - How is it possible that urethral swab has gram positive cocci but no growth in culture & sensitivity? Is it because I am already on antibiotics?

What are these cocci? - Could they be gonorrhea bacteria?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cocci are gram positive organisms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for uploading reports .

Cocci are gram positive organisms either Staphylococci or Streptococci .

Take either Doxicycline or Coprofloxacin twice daily for 5 days .It will help to eradicate infection .

You can use Ciplox eye drops .

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (3 hours later)

Thanks Dr. XXXXXXX

I am taking Ciprofloxacin 500 mg 2 tablets (1-0-1) from 4 days, and will be taking for next 3 days as prescribed by venereologist.

I am using Moxifloxacin drops for the eye.

I get the burning while passing urine only when I have not had water for a long time or more in cases of early morning streams. not otherwise.

There were two small ulcers on the glans, they seem to be reducing, if not same.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue medicines that you are taking.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.

Continue medicines that you are taking .
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

Thanks a lot doctor.
I have a concern. It's been quite long since I am on antibiotics. I have done 5 day course of 1-0-0 Levofloxacin 500 mg from 20th-24th.
I am on Ciplox 500 mg 1-0-1 from 25th and today being the 5th day of 7 day course prescribed.
In between on 24th night, I took 2 500mg Azithromycin.
But I still get the burning sensation while passing urine when I have not had sufficient water, or in case of early morning streams. Yesterday and today I didn't get burning on first time urination. But yesterday evening I got some burning and yellow urine when I had not had water in a while.Today morning dark coloured urine but no burning.
Also, If my glans gets pressed (during an erection in sleep or pressed with hand) I can feel the burning.
Is it normal during UTI?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Burning is due to irritation of urethral mucosa.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.The burning is due to concentrated urine due to less intake of water .Burning is common in UTI and is due to irritation of urethral mucosa,
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (11 minutes later)

Thanks a lot Doctor.

I would like to visit you for a consultation some time after my recovery or in case of future health issues.
Could you please let me know where I can find you in Bangalore?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for trust .

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up and interest to meet me personally.
I am avilable for consultation at following address .

VIMS Super Speciality Hospital
Opp More Mega Store
Outer Ring Road Marathahalli
Phone -080-0000.
You can fix up the appointment before coming.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 days later)

Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
I completed the course of Ciplox. The burning while passing urine has stopped from 2 days. The eye infection has also recovered.
Only thing that is still there is the two minute sores on the glans which are very slowly diminishing. I am applying Fucid & Acivir creams and doctor has told me that it will take over 10 days to completely heal. They are dry and do not burn or itch or pain. Hope they will clear up soon.

Thank you for being with me during my tough time last two weeks and thanks that you kept reassuring me that I would be fine very soon. It was great moral support at a time when I suffered greatly mentally thinking that I have STD.

Now I can believe it was not. I will be more careful in future and make sure I won't get into trouble like this ever again.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for follow up and appreciation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up and happy to learn that you are doing well.Continue taking medications for 10 days or till it gets cured completely.

If you have time you can post your review about my suggestions and opinion on forum of Health Care Magic .com.
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar