Burning pain with urination (dysuria) is the most common symptom of a urinary tract problem. As bacteria or viruses grow in the bladder, the bladder wall becomes inflamed, causing pain when the bladder fills and empties.

Dysuria can also occur if the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body (urethra) becomes irritated or infected. Sometimes painful urination is not caused by an infection, and the cause may be difficult to find. Kidney stones can cause pain with urination when they pass through the urethra. Treatment for painful urination depends on the cause.