Painful urination, also known as dysuria, happens when you experience a typically burning sensation while you pass urine. According to the Mayo Clinic, this sensation usually affects your urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of your bladder, or around your genitals.

Burning when you pee can be caused by a number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), in addition to other conditions. Keep reading to find out more about the STDs that cause burning when peeing.

What STDs cause burning when you pee?

If you’re experiencing burn when peeing, STD infections are a likely culprit. However, you should keep in mind that in most cases, dysuria alone isn’t enough to diagnose an STD. If you’re feeling a burning sensation when peeing, STD screening can help determine the exact cause of the issue.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial STDs around the world. And if you’re wondering “Does chlamydia burn when you pee?”, the answer is that it can, indeed, cause this symptom.

Chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. According to Stanford Health Care, a painful, itchy, or burning sensation while you pee can be one of the first signs of chlamydia. Other symptoms of chlamydia can include:

Abnormal vaginal or penile discharge
Cloudy urine
Genital itching
Bleeding or spotting after sex or between periods
Anal discharge
Lower abdominal pain
Swollen inguinal lymph nodes
Fever
Fatigue

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea, which is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is another STD that causes burning when peeing. Gonorrhea doesn’t always cause symptoms, and many cases remain completely asymptomatic. But according to Planned Parenthood, signs of gonorrhea can also include:

Abnormal vaginal discharge that can be yellowish or bloody
Bleeding or spotting between periods
Yellowish, green, or white discharge from the penis
Painful or swollen testicles
Anal pain or itching
Anal discharge
Painful bowel movements

Herpes

Herpes is another frequent cause of STD burning sensation when peeing. In fact, a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that women with genital herpes reported that the most uncomfortable symptom was pain during urination.

According to the CDC, other symptoms of genital herpes include:

Sores or blisters that appear around the genitals and/or rectum
The blisters rupture and leave open sores that can take over a week to heal
Tingling, painful, or burning sensations that precede the formation of the blisters
Flu-like symptoms can accompany the initial outbreak

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is aso amongst the STDs that cause a burning sensation. According to The Cleveland Clinic, signs of trichomoniasis can include:

Thin, foamy vaginal or penile discharge with a foul smell
Genital itching
Burning after ejaculation
Painful intercourse

Other causes of painful urination

We know that when it comes to a burning during urination, STDs are a likely cause — but not all cases of dysuria are caused by STDs. So if it’s not an STI, what causes painful urination?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are another common cause of burning during urination that isn’t STD-related. UTIs are more common in females, and they can cause severe burning when you pee. UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from the anorectal area that enter the urinary tract, and then climb up your urethra and into your bladder to cause an infection.

According to the NHS, symptoms of a UTI can include:

Dysuria
Urge to urinate during the night (nocturia)
Urine that looks cloudy or bloody
Feeling the urge to urinate more frequently than normal
Feeling like you’re not completely emptying your bladder after peeing
Lower abdominal or back pain
Fever
Nausea

Distinguishing between a UTI and an STD isn’t always easy, but there are some telltale signs that could help. For example, UTIs don’t cause vaginal or penile discharge, which is one of the most common signs of an STD. However, it’s always a good idea to seek medical assistance and get tested if you think you may have one of these infections.

Yeast infection

Yeast infections, or candidiasis, are caused by an imbalance between “good” and “bad” bacteria in your normal genital flora, which can lead to an overgrowth of a type of fungus called Candida spp.

Signs of candidiasis can include:

Intense genital itching
White, thick genital discharge that resembles cottage cheese
Frequent urge to urinate
Swollen, cracked skin around the genitals

Irritation

The skin around your genitals and urethral opening (the small hole where pee comes out from) is very delicate and sensitive. Irritation leading to burning when you pee and itching can affect both males and females, and according to The Cleveland Clinic, possible causes include:

Atopic dermatitis
Psoriasis
Lichen sclerosus
Sweating
Tight clothing
Personal hygiene products
Menopause

Frequent urination and burning, and STDs are very often related. But as we mentioned above, it’s important to get tested so the cause of the issue can be diagnosed, since this will determine the right treatment for you. A burning urethra due to STDs is common, but other conditions still require adequate treatment and management.

At-home STD testing can be a great option if you want convenient, private, and affordable testing. You can learn more about other reproductive health topics at STDWatch.com.