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What are the Causes of Frequent Urination and Burning?

Susan Grindstaff
Susan Grindstaff

The causes of frequent urination and burning may signal different conditions, depending on the person’s sex. In women, these symptoms are usually caused by a bladder infection or a urinary tract infection (UTI), though in some cases it can be the result of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). In men, urinary tract infections are considered quite rare because of the length of the urethra. The most common cause of frequent urination and burning in men is typically associated with STDs.

The urethra is a tube that carries urine out of the body. In women, the tube opening is located very near the rectum, and rectal bacteria can easily be transferred to the urethra. Once there, the bacteria sometimes migrate into the bladder or even the kidneys. The placement of the urethra in the anatomy of men makes it far less prone to bacterial infections. For this reason, women are far more susceptible to UTIs than are men.

A woman may experience frequent urination and burning when she has a bladder infection.
A woman may experience frequent urination and burning when she has a bladder infection.

Another condition that sometimes causes frequent urination and burning is cystitis, or an inflamed bladder. It is usually caused by bacteria and is typically considered a type of UTI. Other causes of cystitis that are not caused by bacteria include catheter use and reactions to some types of drugs. If left untreated, cystitis may spread to the kidneys and cause a much more serious condition. As with most types of UTIs, treatment usually involves a course of antibiotics.

An STD infection could caus frequent urination and burning.
An STD infection could caus frequent urination and burning.

Chlamydia is considered the most prevalent STD and is believed to affect more than 3 million people every year. Along with burning when urinating, chlamydia often includes a discharge from the vagina or penis. The symptoms of chlamydia may stop without treatment, but the infection could still be present in the body. This results in many people carrying around the disease without even knowing it, which is probably one of the reasons that it is such a wide spread contagion.

The placement of the urethra in men makes it far less prone to bacterial infections, making men less susceptible to UTIs than women.
The placement of the urethra in men makes it far less prone to bacterial infections, making men less susceptible to UTIs than women.

Another STD that can cause frequent urination and burning in both men and women is gonorrhea. Gonorrhea is another STD that sometimes goes undiagnosed because many people experience no symptoms at all. Gonorrhea can occur in sexual organs, the rectum, or the throat. It is considered highly contagious, and if left untreated, gonorrhea can have serious side effects.

Catheter use can cause cystitis.
Catheter use can cause cystitis.

Treatment for both chlamydia and gonorrhea typically include antibiotics. In addition, because of the risk of contagion, doctors are often mandated by law to require a 60-day sexual history from patients who have either of these diseases. Typically, doctors will need to know the names and contact information of sexual partners, so that these people can be notified that they may be at risk.

Discussion Comments

stoneMason

I think that men are more likely to delay the treatment of their frequent urination symptoms because they don't want to face the possible causes. But there is no reason to be ashamed or scared. If the cause is an STD like chlamydia or gonorrhea, the treatment is very easy. Antibiotics are enough to get rid of these infections.

If the issue is prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), that is treatable as well. So there is no need to worry. The sooner one sees a doctor about it, the sooner the symptoms will go away. Male frequent urination is a very common problem and doctors are well informed about the causes and treatments.

literally45

@donasmrs-- You have to be more careful about your hygiene. In which direction do you wipe after urinating? You have to wipe down, towards the rectum, not the other way around. Most UTIs occur due to wrong wiping or using public bathrooms. So change your wiping method if it's wrong. Girls need to be taught this at a young age. My mother is a nurse and I learned this when I was about five.

I also recommend carrying some antibacterial wipes and wiping the toilet seat before you use public bathrooms. Even at work, you need to do this. Unfortunately, not everyone is careful about hygiene and sometimes, toilet seat covers don't provide enough protection. And make sure you clean your toilet at home frequently.

There are many different reasons for frequent urination, but in women, it's usually UTIs. So you are doing the right thing by taking notice of your symptoms. Always see a doctor right away when you have these issues because not taking antibiotics in time will cause the infection to spread.

donasmrs

How can I prevent UTIs? I seem to develop them frequently. I had two UTIs in the past six months. As soon as the frequent urination with the burning sensation starts, I know that I'm in trouble. Antibiotics clear it up, but I develop the infection again after several months.

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    • A woman may experience frequent urination and burning when she has a bladder infection.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      A woman may experience frequent urination and burning when she has a bladder infection.
    • An STD infection could caus frequent urination and burning.
      By: jarun011
      An STD infection could caus frequent urination and burning.
    • The placement of the urethra in men makes it far less prone to bacterial infections, making men less susceptible to UTIs than women.
      By: pankajstock123
      The placement of the urethra in men makes it far less prone to bacterial infections, making men less susceptible to UTIs than women.
    • Catheter use can cause cystitis.
      By: sudok1
      Catheter use can cause cystitis.
    • Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause pain while urinating.
      By: Syda Productions
      Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause pain while urinating.
    • Causes of frequent urination and burning can include urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Causes of frequent urination and burning can include urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases.
    • Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat a urinary tract infection, which can cause frequent urination and burning.
      By: Syda Productions
      Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat a urinary tract infection, which can cause frequent urination and burning.