What are the common causes of pain in the urethra?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Urethral pain is discomfort in the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Common causes include urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urethral strictures (narrowing of the urethra), injuries, kidney stones, and inflammation known as urethritis. Symptoms often include burning during urination, itching, or a persistent ache. Because urethral pain can signal anything from a minor infection to a more serious condition, identifying the underlying cause is essential for effective treatment.

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Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover causes of urethral pain symptoms See if urethral pain needs care Find out what urethral pain means Find OTC relief for urethral pain Find a doctor for urethral pain Learn home remedies for urethral pain Understand if urinary symptoms need evaluation

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Explanation

There are several things that can cause pain in the urethra. One reason is a urethral stricture. This means the tube gets narrow because of scar tissue, which can happen after an injury or swelling. This process can be painful, especially when urine flows through the tight spot. Another cause is a urethral injury. This injury might happen because of accidents, trauma during sports, or even during certain medical procedures like catheter placement. When the urethra gets hurt, it can become swollen and painful. Infections or inflammation, whether from a urinary tract infection or other irritants, can also lead to pain in this area. Additionally, some people have what is called urethral pain syndrome. In this condition, there is ongoing pain without a clear injury or infection to explain the discomfort. Understanding the cause of the pain is important, and treatments usually target reducing the inflammation, treating an infection if it is there, or repairing the damage in cases of injury. If you're experiencing urethral pain or discomfort, you can use our free AI symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your symptoms.

(References)

Bertrand LA, Warren GJ, Voelzke BB, Elliott SP, Myers JB, McClung CD, Oleson JJ, Erickson BA; TURNS. Lower urinary tract pain and anterior urethral stricture disease: prevalence and effects of urethral reconstruction. J Urol. 2015 Jan;193(1):184-9. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.07.007. Epub 2014 Jul 18. PMID: 25046621; PMCID: PMC4307605.
Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554575/
Streltsova O, Kuyarov A, Molvi MSAM, Zubova S, Lazukin V, Tararova E, Kiseleva E. New Approaches in the Study of the Pathogenesis of Urethral Pain Syndrome. Diagnostics (Basel). 2020 Oct 22;10(11):860. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics10110860. PMID: 33105749; PMCID: PMC7690567.

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