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Marlton Pediatrics

Urination Pain - Symptom (Male)

Definition

  • Pain, burning or stinging when passing urine
  • Suspect pain if a young child starts to cry while passing urine
  • The feeling of "can't wait" to pass urine may occur. This is called urgency.
  • Passing urine more often than normal. This is called frequency.

Call or Return If

  • Pain when passing urine becomes severe
  • Fever occurs
  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Your child becomes worse

About This Topic

Causes

  • Meatitis. The pain can be caused by redness at the penis opening. The irritation can be from long bubble baths. The urine sample will be normal.
  • Bladder or kidney infections (urinary tract infections) are possible at any age.
  • STD. In teenagers, pain when passing urine can be from diseases spread during sex. A pus-colored discharge may come out of the penis. (called drip)

Diagnosis

  • A urine sample needs to be checked to make the correct diagnosis.

After Care Advice

Overview:
  • Pain with passing urine is never normal.
  • All children with painful urination need a urine checked.
  • Until a urine test is done, here is some care advice that should help.
Give More Fluids:
  • Give extra fluids to drink.
  • Reason: Dilutes the urine so that it does not sting.
Pain Medicine:
  • For pain when passing urine, give a pain medicine.
  • Give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
  • Use as needed.
Avoid Soap:
  • Avoid bubble baths.
  • Avoid getting soap on the opening at the head of the penis.
What to Expect:
  • If soap is the cause, the pain should go away within 24 hours.
Return to School:
  • Even if your child has a bladder infection, it cannot be spread to others.
  • Your child does not need to miss any school or child care.
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