Painful peeing after sex can be caused by irritation to the urethra (the tube where pee comes out of your body) from rough stimulation during sex. It can also be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI), STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, or a bladder infection called cystitis.
A UTI is more common in women because of their shorter urethra, making it easier for bacteria to enter from the anus and move into the bladder.
Vaginal Irritation
The sharp, burning pain that hits when you pee after sex could be caused by irritation to the vagina or vulva. In fact, it’s one of the most common reasons women experience pain when peeing after sex. It can be caused by a lot of things, including wearing tight pants or underwear, scented tampons and pads, douches, cotton swabs and using public toilets that don’t wipe from front to back. It also can be a symptom of several health problems, including bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia and gonorrhea.
For men, pain when peeing after sex can be a sign of an infection in the penis or prostate. It can also be a symptom of a bladder or kidney problem, such as pyelonephritis, cystitis or urethritis. It can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as acetaminophen.
If you’re experiencing pain or burning when you pee after sex, it’s important to talk to your doctor. But don’t jump to conclusions — it’s not always a symptom of a serious medical condition. It could just be a mild irritation that will go away on its own. But don’t ignore it, either. Infections left untreated can lead to serious complications.
Urinary Tract Infections
Many women suffer from a painful or burning sensation when peeing after sex. Known as dysuria, it can be caused by STIs like genital herpes and chlamydia, but it’s also often the first sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are when bacteria from your partner’s genitals, penis, fingers, or sex toys enter your urethra and travel up to the bladder, where they cause an overgrowth of bacteria that can lead to pain when peeing, a tingling feeling in the lower abdomen, and a pus-like discharge from the groin or testicles.
Women are more likely to get a UTI than men because of their anatomy: the urethra is closer to the anus, so bacteria from your partner’s genitals or anus can easily get in. Women with shorter urethras are even more susceptible to getting infections because of their anatomy.
The most common symptom of a UTI is a red, pink, yellow, or greenish discharge from the groin or testicles. Other symptoms can include a burning sensation when peeing, painful or frequent urination, swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, and pain in the back or hips. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, visit your doctor right away to start treatment. He or she may prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. He or she might also recommend certain lifestyle changes to help you avoid getting a UTI in the future, such as wiping from front to back and avoiding feminine hygiene sprays, douches, or scented bath products.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
If you’re experiencing pain when peeing after sex, it could be an infection like genital herpes, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis. STIs can be spread by sexual contact, and they can cause painful urination, vaginal itching, and sores on the penis or anus (in men).
The urethra is easily irritated, especially during sexual activity. The rough stimulation of the penis and vulva combined with the lack of lubrication can lead to abrasions and small tears. And since the urethra is a tube that leads to your bladder, bacteria can easily enter the urinary tract.
This is why it’s important for both women and men to use lubricant during sex. It can help to prevent friction that leads to abrasions and small cuts, which can make it painful when you pee.
It’s also a good idea to pee after sex so that any bacteria present at the penis or anus is flushed away. This can help prevent UTIs and other infections of the urethra and prostate.
Aside from a UTI, pain when peeing after sex can be caused by a yeast infection called vulvodynia, bacterial vaginosis, or a reaction to semen (called a chancre). These infections may need antibiotic treatment. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Depending on the type of infection you have, you may need to change your birth control or take different medications.
Bladder Infections
If urinating causes pain or burning, it’s important to see your doctor right away. It could be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This includes herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These infections can make your urethra and vulva extra sensitive, causing pain when you pee. You might also have pain when ejaculating or a painful vaginal discharge.
This happens because your urethra is shorter and closer to your bladder than men’s, making it easier for bacteria to travel from the anus to the bladder. Women are more likely to get UTIs than men, and they can happen more often after using a diaphragm for birth control or during sexual activity. Menopause can increase the risk because it changes the lining of the urinary tract.
The good news is, most UTIs will clear up with antibiotics. A urinalysis can help your doctor determine the type of bacteria and the best antibiotic for you. You may also need a urine culture and blood work, too.
The pain you feel when peeing after sex can be annoying and uncomfortable, but it’s usually nothing to worry about. If you have frequent UTIs, though, you should talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that can decrease the frequency of these infections. This might include exercising, drinking lots of water and avoiding beverages that are high in caffeine.
