If you have pain when you pee, it doesn’t always mean that you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). It can also be caused by irritation to the skin or area around the bladder, testicles, or penis (for people with a penis) from unprotected sex.
You can prevent UTIs by wiping your genitals from front to back, using a safe condom and lubricant during sex, staying hydrated, and avoiding unprotected sex.
Inflammation or infection
Experiencing pain and/or burning sensations when you pee after sex may be an indication that the bladder or urinary tract is inflamed or that you have an infection. Infections can be caused by a variety of factors, including unprotected sex, STIs, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you have a bladder or urinary tract infection, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask about your symptoms to determine the cause of your pain and recommend treatment options.
Women are more likely to develop cystitis, which is an inflammation of the bladder or urethra that is caused by bacteria. Sex can increase your risk of getting cystitis because it introduces bacteria into the urethra, especially if you have penetrative sex or are wearing tight clothing around the genital area. The friction from sex can also rub the urethra against the genital skin and cause irritation.
Men can also develop prostatitis, which is an inflammation of the prostate gland that leads to pain and a burning sensation when you pee. Prostatitis can be caused by a variety of causes, including an infection and/or use of a condom that isn’t properly fitted. If you have a UTI or prostatitis, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and suggest lifestyle changes that can help reduce your pain and discomfort.
Changes in hormone levels
Sometimes bladder pain is a symptom of an underlying health issue. If you’re having bladder pain after sex, it’s important to speak with your partner and find ways to manage it together. Bladder pain can be caused by a number of factors, including bacterial infections, changes in hormone levels, and use of certain types of birth control or lubricants.
The most common cause of bladder pain after sex is a urinary tract infection, or UTI. This can occur when bacteria get into your urinary tract through your urethra after having sex, which makes it easier for them to travel up into your bladder. UTIs can also occur when you’re using a diaphragm that contains spermicide or lubricant, or when you’re pregnant.
Cystitis (say: ks-TIE-tis) is another condition that can cause bladder pain after sex. It’s when your bladder lining gets irritated and inflamed, which can lead to extreme pain and discomfort. This can happen when you’re taking antibiotics, are pregnant, or have an illness that affects your kidneys. It can also happen if you use hygiene products that irritate your bladder, like a spermicide jelly, or if you have a urinary catheter.
Another reason your bladder may hurt after sex is due to changes in your hormone levels, especially when you’re going through menopause. This can lead to thinning of the tissues that line your bladder and pelvic area, making them more sensitive to pain or irritation.
Medications
Medications like antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to treat the underlying cause of bladder pain after sex. Treatment may take a few days to start working, but the pain should subside once the medication has done its job. For some patients, other treatments like physical therapy or surgery may be needed.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) can lead to pain after sex if bacteria travel up the urethra and into the bladder. UTIs are common and can be caused by many things, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Antibiotics are the standard treatment for bacterial UTIs.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) can also cause bladder pain after sex. IC is an inflammation or irritation of the bladder wall, usually without an obvious cause. Symptoms of IC include changes in urination, including frequency and urgency; pressure or pain around the bladder, pelvic area and anus or scrotum; and painful sex.
To prevent bladder pain after sex, you can try using a vaginal lubricant to reduce friction and use a diaphragm or spermicide as your form of birth control. You can also practice good hygiene by wiping from front to back before and after sex, drinking plenty of water, wearing cotton underwear and avoiding scented products near the anal and genital areas.
Pelvic floor dysfunction
If you have a condition called pelvic floor dysfunction, which can be caused by pregnancy and childbirth or by age-related hormonal changes, it could cause pain during sexual activity or when you’re trying to have a bowel movement. This is because the muscles that make up your pelvic floor aren’t doing their job correctly.
The pelvic floor is a sheet of muscle that supports your vagina, uterus and bladder. It’s made up of three symmetrical muscles: the iliococygeus, pubococcygeus and puborectalis. If one or more of these muscles aren’t working properly, it can lead to problems like urinary tract infections and pelvic inflammatory disease. It can also cause pain during sex, especially when you’re having penetrative sex.
Pelvic inflammatory disease can affect both women and men, although it’s more common in women. It can cause pain in the vulva or vagina, rectum, lower abdomen and lower back. It can also lead to a painful bowel movement and bloating.
Some medications can aggravate pelvic inflammatory disease, including diuretics to treat high blood pressure and antihistamines used to treat allergies. If you’re taking one of these medications and you’re experiencing pelvic inflammatory disease, talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out the cause and find a treatment that works for you.
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