Differential Diagnosis for Painful Urination

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is the most common cause of painful urination, especially in women. The symptoms of UTI include dysuria (painful urination), frequent urination, and sometimes hematuria (blood in the urine).

Other Likely Diagnoses

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes can cause painful urination in both men and women.
• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland can cause painful urination, especially in men.
• Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra can cause painful urination, and it can be caused by STIs or other factors.
• Kidney Stones: Small stones in the urinary tract can cause severe pain, including painful urination.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

• Appendicitis: Although appendicitis typically presents with abdominal pain, in some cases, the pain can radiate to the urinary tract, causing painful urination.
• Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula in the colon can cause pain that may be referred to the urinary tract.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus can cause severe abdominal pain and potentially painful urination.
• Testicular Torsion: A medical emergency where the spermatic cord becomes twisted, cutting off the blood supply to the testicle, which can cause severe pain that may radiate to the urinary tract.

Rare Diagnoses

• Interstitial Cystitis: A chronic condition that causes bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes painful urination.
• Tuberculosis of the Urinary Tract: A rare infection that can cause painful urination, frequent urination, and other symptoms.
• Bladder Cancer: A rare cause of painful urination, often accompanied by other symptoms such as hematuria and weight loss.
• Sickle Cell Disease: A genetic disorder that can cause sickling of red blood cells in the urinary tract, leading to painful urination.