Does it hurt when you urinate or have sex?

It may be a urinary tract infection (UTI)

If it hurts when you urinate, or you feel that you have to go all the time, you may have an infection. Your urine may be cloudy or have a reddish tinge, and also have an unpleasant odour. Your doctor will run a test for bacteria, and you may be prescribed a course of antibiotics to deal with the infection.

There are different types of infections which affect both men and women, all of which make urinating or sex painful for both sexes.

Issues which may cause painful urinating

Here are some of the conditions that may lead to pain or burning when urinating:

• Painful bladder syndrome. This is commonly known as cystitis and affects both men and women. This happens when your bladder walls get irritated and your bladder gets swollen and sensitive, causing pain in the lower pelvic and genitals area. This is a treatable condition. Medication and a diet low in acid forming foods will also help.
• Kidney stones. These form when too much acid builds up in your body. The stones usually begin in the kidneys and may move to the bladder or the urethra – the tube that carries urine out of the body. If the stones get big enough to block the flow of urine, you will be overwhelmed by waves of pain that hit your back between your hips and ribs. Although smaller stones can pass on their own, surgery may be required to remove the larger ones.
• Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy or radiation in and around the lower belly can cause inflammation in the bladder and also lead to painful urination and painful sex.
• Yeast infection in women. The most common type of yeast infection is that of a fungus called candida which occurs in the vagina. The symptoms will include vaginal itching, swelling around the vagina, as well as pain during urinating or sex. This may be caused by antibiotics which reduce the amount of good bacteria in the vagina, allowing an infection like candida to take hold.

Except for vaginal candida, these issues can affect both men and women, and medical advice should be sought to help get relief.

Men can also get yeast infections

Although women are more prone to fungal infections, a man can also pick up a yeast infection by having unprotected sex with a woman who has vaginal candida. The infection usually manifests as small white spots on the penis or a dry peeling rash, accompanied by irritation, itching and a burning pain when urinating. Studies have shown that men who have not been circumcised have a higher risk of picking up a yeast infection.

Fortunately, a male yeast infection often goes away on its own, but sometimes it can spread to the inner thighs and buttocks. The treatment is relatively and responds to over-the counter- meds or prescription antifungal creams, and if necessary an antifungal oral drug. It should all clear up within a week or two.

However because a yeast infection is usually transmitted to a male by means of sexual intercourse, both partners should be treated so that they do not keep infecting each other. Always use a condom which will be a great help in keeping infections away that can cause pain when you urinate or have sex.

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