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Table of Contents
Causes
Prevention
Seeking Medical Care
It’s pretty common to feel a burning sensation when you pee after sex. Aurinary tract infection(UTI) is one reason this might happen.
Urinating right after sex can help reduce the risk of getting a UTI. Other reasons for painful urination (dysuria) include poor lubrication, allergic reaction, andsexually transmitted infection(STI).
This article discusses reasons it might burn when you pee after sex, some ways to prevent it, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Reasons for Painful Urination After Sex
There are several reasons why it might burn when you pee after sex. Some are fleeting and have a quick fix, while others may require treatment.
Urinary Tract Infection
Anyone can develop aUTI, but women get them more often than men.Women have a shorterurethra, and the opening is closer to the rectum, where bacteria live.During sex, it’s easy for bacteria on the skin to enter the urinary tract. Symptoms include a burning sensation when you pee and a frequent urge to urinate, even when your bladder is empty.
Lack of Lubrication
For women,vaginal drynesscan cause irritation, burning, or pain during sex or urination. Dryness tends to occur when there’s a drop inestrogen. This can happen for various reasons, includingmenopause, breastfeeding, and some medical conditions and medications.
Rough Sex or Friction
Vigorous sex or too much friction can lead to irritation of thepenisor vaginal area, which can make urination uncomfortable after sex. Almost 3 out of 4 women experience pain during intercourse at some point.
Tips to make sex more comfortable include:
Sexually Transmitted Infection
There are more than 20 types ofSTIs, includingchlamydia,gonorrhea, andsyphilis. Similar to a UTI, an STI can cause painful or frequent urination. Other symptoms may include discharge from the penis or vagina and genital redness or itching.
STIs don’t always cause symptoms, but the infection can still spread during sex. See a healthcare provider for treatment options if you suspect you have an STI.Correct use of latex condomsreduces the risk, but to completely prevent an infection requires avoiding vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
UTI vs. STI: Which One Is It?
Allergic Reactions
You may have a sensitivity or allergy to chemicals in products used on or around male or female genitals. Products that may irritate the skin include:
Some potential allergens are:
Other symptoms are itching, redness, or general irritation. It can take a few days after exposure for symptoms of an allergic reaction to appear.
Skin Conditions or Inflammation
In women, skin conditions that might affect the vulva includeeczema,psoriasis,lichen sclerosus, andlichen planus. Each of these can cause inflammation and irritation, leading to a burning sensation when you pee.
How to Prevent a Burning Sensation When You Pee After Sex
Depending on the cause, there are a few ways to cut down on that burning sensation when you pee after sex.
Urinating After Sex
Urinating after sexual activitycan help flush out bacteria that can cause a UTI. Due to anatomical differences, females get UTIs about 30 times more often than males. And sexually active women are at higher risk than those who are not.
When it comes to preventing UTIs, peeing after sex has a greater benefit for women than men. However, it doesn’t prevent STIs or other medical conditions.
Hygiene Practices
It only takes water and mild, unscented soap to keep the genital area clean. Gently pat yourself dry. Shaving is a choice, but it’s not necessary for cleanliness.
The vagina is naturally self-cleaning, so there’sno need for douchesor special vaginal cleansers or deodorizers.After using the bathroom, always wipe from front to back.
Communication With a Partner
Open, honest communication with your partner can enhance your sex life. Just as you might discuss things you enjoy, it’s important to discuss things that hurt or make you uncomfortable. Work on solutions that benefit you both. Research suggests that better sexual communication is associated with greater sexual function.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
A minor burning sensation when you pee after sex doesn’t necessarily mean you need medical attention. But because painful urination can be a symptom of a condition such as a UTI or an STI, see a healthcare provider if you have these signs:
Summary
A burning sensation when you pee after sex is common. It doesn’t necessarily mean something is seriously wrong. It’s usually due to an irritant or lack of lubrication. Using lubricants, switching personal hygiene products, and changing sexual positions may help.
However, painful urination can also be a symptom of UTIs, STIs, and other conditions that need to be treated. If you often have pain when you pee, have different symptoms, or are at all concerned, see a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders.Definition & facts of bladder infections in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of bladder infection in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When sex is painful.MedlinePlus.Sexually transmitted diseases.University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Contact dermatitis of the vulva.Harvard Health Publishing.Managing common vulvar skin conditions.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.Oregon Health & Science University.The care and keeping of your vagina.Mallory AB, Stanton AM, Handy AB.Couples' sexual communication and dimensions of sexual function: A meta-analysis.J Sex Res. 2019 Sep;56(7):882-898. doi:10.1080/00224499.2019.1568375American Academy of Family Physicians.Painful urination.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders.Definition & facts of bladder infections in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of bladder infection in adults.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When sex is painful.MedlinePlus.Sexually transmitted diseases.University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Contact dermatitis of the vulva.Harvard Health Publishing.Managing common vulvar skin conditions.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.Oregon Health & Science University.The care and keeping of your vagina.Mallory AB, Stanton AM, Handy AB.Couples' sexual communication and dimensions of sexual function: A meta-analysis.J Sex Res. 2019 Sep;56(7):882-898. doi:10.1080/00224499.2019.1568375American Academy of Family Physicians.Painful urination.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders.Definition & facts of bladder infections in adults.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of bladder infection in adults.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for bladder infection in adults.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Experiencing vaginal dryness? Here’s what you need to know.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When sex is painful.
MedlinePlus.Sexually transmitted diseases.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.Contact dermatitis of the vulva.
Harvard Health Publishing.Managing common vulvar skin conditions.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.
Oregon Health & Science University.The care and keeping of your vagina.
Mallory AB, Stanton AM, Handy AB.Couples' sexual communication and dimensions of sexual function: A meta-analysis.J Sex Res. 2019 Sep;56(7):882-898. doi:10.1080/00224499.2019.1568375
American Academy of Family Physicians.Painful urination.
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