Urination Pain - Symptom (Male)
Definition
- Pain, burning or stinging when passing urine
- Suspect pain if a young child starts to cry while passing urine
- The feeling of "can't wait" to pass urine may occur. This is called urgency.
- Passing urine more often than normal. This is called frequency.
Call or Return If
- Pain when passing urine becomes severe
- Fever occurs
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
About This Topic
Causes
- Meatitis. The pain can be caused by redness at the penis opening. The irritation can be from long bubble baths. The urine sample will be normal.
- Bladder or kidney infections (urinary tract infections) are possible at any age.
- STD. In teenagers, pain when passing urine can be from diseases spread during sex. A pus-colored discharge may come out of the penis. (called drip)
Diagnosis
- A urine sample needs to be checked to make the correct diagnosis.
After Care Advice
Overview:
- Pain with passing urine is never normal.
- All children with painful urination need a urine checked.
- Until a urine test is done, here is some care advice that should help.
Give More Fluids:
- Give extra fluids to drink.
- Reason: Dilutes the urine so that it does not sting.
Pain Medicine:
- For pain when passing urine, give a pain medicine.
- Give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
- Use as needed.
Avoid Soap:
- Avoid bubble baths.
- Avoid getting soap on the opening at the head of the penis.
What to Expect:
- If soap is the cause, the pain should go away within 24 hours.
Return to School:
- Even if your child has a bladder infection, it cannot be spread to others.
- Your child does not need to miss any school or child care.
Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP Copyright
Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Article 2848