Men like to pee. Sometimes there is something so satisfying about a prolonged, robust urination for all to hear. However, it becomes a lot less satisfying and, instead, scary, when a man experiences pain during urination. Having a fire-breathing penis is not the fun, comic-worthy asset it might appear to be. A burning pee is quite uncomfortable and can sometimes be a cause for concern. It’s not always caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Let’s talk about some non-STI causes of painful urination in men and how to make it all better.

Painful Urination Cause #1: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

No, they aren’t just for the ladies! If you have a urinary tract, it can get infected. In fact, UTIs are the most common cause of painful urination in men. UTIs happen when bacteria get caught up anywhere in the urinary tract. Other symptoms of a UTI include cloudy or blood-tinged urine, fever, and inexplicable pain in the back and side. Usually, a UTI can be banished with antibiotics in just a few days.

Painful Urination Cause #2: Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions can cause havoc in a lot of ways, and pain during urination is one of them. Anything new that the penis comes into contact with can cause a reaction. This includes things like condoms, laundry detergent, body wash, or even something a partner uses or wears in a place where your penis comes into contact with it. New medications can also cause allergic reactions. Although allergic reactions don’t always seem like a big deal, sometimes it’s best to head to the doctor just in case to rule other things out. Otherwise, an antihistamine and a thorough cleansing of the area should help.

Painful Urination Cause #3: Urethritis

Urethritis is the inflammation of the urethra (the urethra is the tube that carries the urine out of the body) caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are used for treatment.

Painful Urination Cause #4: Kidney Stones

Hailing from the kidney, these special, and some say very pretty, stones are a buildup of calcium or uric acid. When the kidney stones get lodged in the place where urine meets the bladder, it causes pain during urination. Generally, a man will have to urinate the kidney stone out. If he’s working with more boulders than pebbles, a doctor will likely need to use shock wave lithotripsy to crack them into smaller pieces, which will still need to be passed the old-fashioned way. Here’s the thing, peeing them out is going to be something beyond painful, so prepare yourself now. Don’t worry, lots of men before you have done it and lived to tell the tale.

Painful Urination in Men Cause #5: Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)

A less common cause of pain during urination is something called BPS, which is a chronic bladder issue. When this is the case, a man will feel both pressure and pain at the same time. It usually presents with lower urinary tract infection symptoms, which last 6 weeks or longer without a known cause. Symptoms and length of symptoms range with BPS. If you have IBS, fibromyalgia, or other chronic pain issues, you are more likely to have BPS.

Treating Painful Urination in Men

The first step of treatment is to get a proper diagnosis. Get in with your doctor as soon as possible or head to a clinic if your doc is full. After getting an appointment, start drinking as much water as you can. The water dilutes the urine and will bring down any pain you’re experiencing. You can also take some ibuprofen to help with the discomfort. It’s also important to properly clean the penis before, during, and after treatment to reduce inflammation. Be sure to follow up a thorough cleansing and rinsing with a specially formulated penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). These special lotions are made expressly for delicate penile skin and include nutrients that guard against bacteria and improve skin tone and elasticity, warding off the little cuts that dry skin can cause. Once you have a diagnosis, follow your doctor’s treatment plan to the letter and be sure to keep up on your penis health regimen to keep issues away in the future.