What could cause penis pain when urinating?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Painful urination in the penis, medically known as dysuria, can result from several causes. Common culprits include catheter-related irritation, soap or hygiene product sensitivity, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted infections. Less commonly, inflammatory conditions like Crohn's disease may also trigger this symptom.

Because painful urination has many possible causes—ranging from mild irritation to conditions requiring prompt medical care—identifying the likely source is the critical first step. Rather than guessing or waiting to see if symptoms resolve, take a free, instant, online symptom check to receive personalized insights based on your specific symptoms and help you decide on the right next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Pain when urinating can be uncomfortable and concerning. There are a few reasons why this might happen:

Catheter-Related Discomfort: When a catheter is used, it can sometimes cause discomfort or pain in the bladder or urethra. This is because the catheter is a foreign object that can irritate the tissues inside the urinary tract.
Soap Irritation: In some cases, using soap can lead to pain in the urethra, especially in boys. This happens when soap gets into the urethra and causes irritation.
Unusual Conditions: Sometimes, conditions like Crohn's disease, which usually affects the digestive system, can present in unusual ways. In rare cases, it might cause symptoms like pain during urination.

If you experience pain when urinating, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional to understand the cause and get appropriate care. You can start by using our free symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your symptoms.

(References)

Jang EB, Hong SH, Kim KS, Park SY, Kim YT, Yoon YE, & Moon HS. (2020). Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort: How Can We .... International neurourology journal, 33401353.
Okeke LI. (2004). Soap induced urethral pain in boys. West African journal of medicine, 15171526.
Motamed F, Esfandiarpour B, & Ahmadipour S. (2018). Unusual presentation of Crohn's disease in a boy with .... Clinical case reports, 30564335.

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