If you're experiencing a burning sensation when you pee after sex, you're not alone. Many men (and even women) deal with this sensation, which is caused by a variety of factors. A burning sensation that occurs while urinating after sex is rarely a major concern unless the burning continues hours after sexual intercourse.
The burning sensation is usually caused by an irritation of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. It can also be caused by an infection of the urethra or urinary tract.
The burning sensation is often accompanied by a feeling of urgency to urinate, which can be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria or a virus and can be treated with antibiotics.
Let's get into the main reasons you may be feeling discomforting while peeing after sex.
Reasons For Painful Urination After Sex
1. Rough Stimulation
The urethra is a delicate tube that can be easily irritated by rough stimulation. During sex, the urethra is stimulated by the penis, which can cause irritation. The urethra can also be irritated by the friction of the penis rubbing against the vagina (or anywhere else) during sex. This irritation can cause a burning sensation when you pee after sex.
Is this a cause for concern? This is not a cause for concern unless the burning continues after you pee. If the burning sensation continues for several hours after sex, you should see your doctor.
2. Prostate Infection
The prostate gland is located just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra and produces fluid that makes up about 30% of the volume of semen. Prostate infections are common in men over the age of 50. Your prostate gland can become inflamed and infected, which can cause a burning sensation while you pee after sex.
Is this a cause for concern? The prostate is a very sensitive gland and an infection can cause a lot of discomfort. If you suspect that a prostate infection is the culprit, and you experience a burning sensation while you pee after sex, you should see your doctor.
Other symptoms of a prostate infection include:
- Pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
- Pain while you urinate or ejaculate.
- Pain or burning while you urinate.
- Frequent urination.
3. An Allergic Reaction To Condoms or Lubricant
If you are allergic to latex, you may experience a burning sensation while you pee after sex if you use latex condoms. If you are allergic to latex, you may also experience a burning sensation while you pee after sex if you use latex condoms or lubricants.
Try switching to a non-latex condom or a non-latex lubricant if you may have a latex allergy.
4. Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary tract. A UTI can cause urinary tract symptoms that include:
- Burning sensation while you pee.
- Urgency to pee.
- Frequent peeing.
- Cloudy or bloody urine.
- Pain or burning when you pee.
- Pain in your lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
Urinary Tract Infections can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite. The most common UTI is caused by bacteria.
Is this a cause for concern? If you experience a burning sensation while you pee after sex, you should see your doctor. You should also see your doctor if you experience other urinary tract symptoms, such as cloudy or bloody urine.
5. For Women: An Allergic Reaction to Semen
Some women are allergic to semen. If you are allergic to semen, you may experience a burning sensation while you pee after sex. It is also possible that you may have an allergic reaction to the lubricant that was used during sex.
If you have an allergy to semen, you are more likely to experience a burning sensation while you pee after sex. Other symptoms of an allergic reaction are:
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat.
- Swelling or itching of the skin.
- Hives or other skin rashes.
- Sneezing.
- Coughing.
- Runny nose.
- Itching.
- Stuffy nose.
6. Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause sexually transmitted infections. They are spread through sexual contact. Some STIs can cause a burning sensation while you pee after sex.
STIs include:
Chlamydia — Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that can be spread through sexual contact. Women can have chlamydia and not know it. In men, it can cause a burning sensation while you pee after sex.
Chlamydia can cause pain during sex, a burning sensation while you pee after sex, and pain in the testicles.
Other symptoms of chlamydia include:
- Pain while you urinate.
- Painful or frequent urination.
- Burning when you urinate.
- Pus or discharge from the penis.
- Painful bowel movements (in women).
- Swollen lymph nodes in your groin area (in men and women).
Gonorrhea — Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can be spread through sexual contact. Gonorrhea is the second most common STI in the United States. It can cause a burning sensation while you pee after sex. Some people with gonorrhea don't have symptoms.
Other symptoms include:
- A burning sensation while you pee after sex.
- Painful or frequent urination.
- A pus-like discharge from the penis (in men) or vagina (in women).
- Painful bowel movements.
Syphilis — Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be spread through sexual contact. Women usually don't have symptoms, but they can pass it to their babies during pregnancy and birth if not treated early. Men can have a burning sensation while you pee after sex.
Symptoms in men include:
- A painless open sore (called a chancre) on the penis, vagina or anus that appears about three weeks after exposure to syphilis. The sores may go away without treatment and then return months later with other symptoms.
- A burning sensation while you pee after sex.
- Painful or frequent urination and a discharge from the penis (in men).
- The sores can be found on your mouth, lips, vagina or anus but they are not always easy to see.
Trichomoniasis — Trichomoniasis is a bacterial infection that can be spread through sexual contact. It causes itching, burning while urinating and painful or frequent urination in both men and women. Trichomoniasis can also cause a burning sensation while you pee after sex.
- Symptoms include:
- Painful urination.
- Itching or burning while you pee after sex.
- Discharge (in women).
Men often don't have symptoms of trichomoniasis. But they can still spread it to their sexual partners.
Symptoms of trichomoniasis in men include painful or frequent urination. Some may have a burning sensation while you pee after sex and pain in the testicles.
When Should You Speak With Your Healthcare Provider?
If you're experiencing a burning sensation when peeing after sex, it's important to speak with your healthcare provider. This is especially true if the pain occurs hours after having sex and lasts more than 24 hours.
The most common cause of painful urination after sex is a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urethra and travels to your bladder, causing an infection in one or both kidneys. The burning sensation that accompanies a UTI can last for several hours after intercourse.
When Should You Call Your Healthcare Provider? If you experience any of these symptoms:
- Painful urination that lasts more than 24 hours
- Fever that persists after sexual intercourse
- Painful urination accompanied by blood in the urine, pain when ejaculating or a discharge from your penis or vagina. If you have any of these symptoms and are not experiencing burning while peeing after sex, it's important to see your healthcare provider right away.
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or other professional advice. Your specific circumstances should be discussed with a healthcare provider. All statements of opinion represent the writers' judgement at the time of publication and are subject to change. Phoenix and its affiliates provide no express or implied endorsements of third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products, or services.