Dysuria

Dysuria—painful or difficult urination—is commonly accompanied by urinary frequency, urgency, or hesitancy. This symptom usually reflects lower urinary tract infection (UTI)—a common disorder, especially in women. (See Preventing urinary tract infections.)

Dysuria results from lower urinary tract irritation or inflammation, which stimulates nerve endings in the bladder and urethra. The onset of pain provides clues to its cause. For example, pain just before voiding usually indicates bladder irritation or distention, whereas pain at the start of urination typically results from bladder outlet irritation. Pain at the end of voiding may signal bladder spasms; in women, it may indicate vaginal candidiasis. (See Dysuria: Causes and associated findings, pages 284 and 285.)

History and physical examination

If the patient complains of dysuria, have him describe its severity and location. When did he first notice it? Did anything precipitate it? Does anything aggravate or alleviate it?

Next, ask about previous urinary or genital tract infections. Has the patient recently undergone an invasive procedure, such as cystoscopy or urethral dilatation, or had a urinary catheter inserted? Also, ask if he has a history of intestinal disease. Ask the female patient about menstrual disorders and use of products that irritate the urinary tract, such as bubble bath salts, feminine deodorants, contraceptive gels, or perineal lotions. Also ask her about vaginal discharge or pruritus.

During the physical examination, inspect the urethral meatus for discharge, irritation, or other abnormalities. A pelvic or rectal examination may be necessary.

Medical causes

Appendicitis

Occasionally, appendicitis causes dysuria that persists throughout voiding and is accompanied by bladder tenderness. Appendicitis is characterized by periumbilical abdominal pain that shifts to McBurney’s point, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, constipation, slight fever, abdominal rigidity and rebound tenderness, and tachycardia.

Bladder cancer

In this predominantly male disorder, dysuria throughout voiding is a late symptom associated with urinary frequency and urgency, nocturia, hematuria, and perineal, back, or flank pain.

Cultural Cue: Bladder cancer is twice as common in White males as in Blacks. It’s relatively uncommon in Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans.

Cystitis

Dysuria throughout voiding is common in all types of cystitis, as are urinary frequency, nocturia, straining to void, and hematuria. Bacterial cystitis, the most common cause of dysuria in women, may also produce urinary urgency, perineal and lower back pain, suprapubic discomfort, fatigue and, possibly, a low-grade fever. In chronic interstitial cystitis, dysuria is accentuated at the end of voiding. In tubercular cystitis, symptoms may also include urinary urgency, flank pain, fatigue, and anorexia. In viral cystitis, severe dysuria occurs with gross hematuria, urinary urgency, and fever.

Gender Cue: Women are more prone to develop cystitis than men because they have a shorter urethra. For men, age is a factor: Older men have a 15% higher risk of developing cystitis.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation near the bladder may cause dysuria throughout voiding. Other effects include urinary frequency and urgency, nocturia, hematuria, fever, abdominal pain and tenderness, perineal pain, constipation or diarrhea and, possibly, an abdominal mass.

Paraurethral gland inflammation

Dysuria throughout voiding is accompanied by urinary frequency and urgency, diminished urine stream, mild perineal pain and, occasionally, hematuria in this disorder.

Prostatitis

Acute prostatitis commonly causes dysuria throughout or toward the end of voiding as well as a diminished urine stream, urinary frequency and urgency, hematuria, suprapubic fullness, fever, chills, fatigue, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. In chronic prostatitis, urethral narrowing causes dysuria throughout voiding. Related effects are urinary frequency and urgency; diminished urine stream; perineal, back, and buttocks pain; urethral discharge; nocturia; and, at times, hematospermia and ejaculatory pain.

Pyelonephritis (acute)

More common in females than in males, this disorder causes dysuria throughout voiding. Other features include persistent high fever with chills, costovertebral angle tenderness, unilateral or bilateral flank pain, weakness, urinary urgency and frequency, nocturia, straining on urination, and hematuria. Nausea, vomiting, and anorexia may also occur.

Reiter’s syndrome

In this predominantly male disorder, dysuria occurs 1 to 2 weeks after sexual contact. Initially, the patient has a mucopurulent discharge, urinary urgency and frequency, meatal swelling and redness, suprapubic pain, anorexia, weight loss, and low-grade fever. Hematuria, conjunctivitis, arthritic symptoms, a papular rash, and oral and penile lesions may follow.

Urethral syndrome

Occurring in sexually active women, this syndrome mimics urethritis. Dysuria throughout voiding may occur with urinary frequency, diminished urine stream, suprapubic aching and cramping, tenesmus, and low back and unilateral flank pain. In the absence of pyuria, symptoms will usually resolve without intervention.

Urethritis

Primarily found in sexually active males, this infection causes dysuria throughout voiding. It’s accompanied by a reddened meatus and a copious, yellow, purulent discharge (gonorrheal infection) or a white or clear mucoid discharge (nongonorrheal infection).

Urinary obstruction

Outflow obstruction by urethral strictures or calculi produces dysuria throughout voiding. (In a complete obstruction, bladder distention develops and dysuria precedes voiding.) Other features are diminished urine stream, urinary frequency and urgency, and a sensation of fullness or bloating in the lower abdomen or groin.

Vaginitis

Characteristically, dysuria occurs throughout voiding as urine touches inflamed or ulcerated labia. Other findings include urinary frequency and urgency, nocturia, hematuria, perineal pain, and vaginal discharge and odor.

Other causes

Chemical irritants

Dysuria may result from irritating substances, such as bubble bath salts and feminine deodorants; it’s usually most intense at the end of voiding. Spermicides may cause dysuria in both sexes as well as urinary frequency and urgency, a diminished urine stream and, possibly, hematuria.

Drugs

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and metyrosine can cause dysuria.

Special considerations

Monitor vital signs and intake and output. Administer prescribed drugs, and prepare the patient for such tests as urinalysis and cystoscopy.

Geriatric pointers

Be aware that elderly patients tend to underreport their symptoms, even though older men have an increased incidence of nonsexually related UTIs and postmenopausal women have an increased incidence of noninfectious dysuria.

Pictures

Book Source Details

• Book Title: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)
• Author(s): Springhouse
• Year of Publication: 2006
• Copyright Details: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), Copyright © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Other Book Chapters Related to Frequent urination

Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Frequent urination:

Copyright Details: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.

More About Causes of Frequent urination

• Back to symptom: Frequent urination: Introduction (review 148 causes)
• Next Book Extract About Frequent urination: Nocturia (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
• All Book Extracts: All Online Book Extracts for Frequent urination

More About This Book: Title: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition) Authors: Springhouse Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2006 ISBN: 1-58255-510-9

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