What is the Difference Between Dysuria and Dyspareunia

The key difference between dysuria and dyspareunia is that dysuria is a condition that causes a burning sensation while urinating while dyspareunia is a condition that causes genital pain after sexual intercourse.

Genitourinary refers to urinary and genital organs. Genitourinary disorders are issues that influence the urinary and genital tracts (reproductive organs). These conditions can affect men as well as women and affect the urinary and reproductive systems. Dysuria and dyspareunia are two different genitourinary disorders.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Dysuria 
3. What is Dyspareunia
4. Similarities – Dysuria and Dyspareunia
5. Dysuria vs. Dyspareunia in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Dysuria and Dyspareunia
7. Summary – Dysuria vs. Dyspareunia

What is Dysuria?

Dysuria is a condition that causes pain or discomfort when people urinate. This condition is more common in women than in men. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include burning, stinging, or itching sensation while urinating, and pain that can occur at the start of urination or after urination. In men, pain can remain in the penis before and after urination; women may experience pain outside the vaginal area caused by inflammation or irritation of the sensitive skin and internal pain. Bladder infections, vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, endometritis, urethritis, prostate disease, and cancer can cause dysuria.

Dysuria can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation and urine analysis. Furthermore, treatment options for dysuria may include drinking more water or taking an over-the-counter aid (such as Uristat^® or AZO^®) to manage painful urination, prescription medications such as antibiotics, and managing underlying conditions.

What is Dyspareunia?

Dyspareunia is a condition that causes persistent or recurring pain just before, during, or after sex. Dyspareunia is also more common in women than in men. It can be caused by vaginal atrophy, vaginismus, vaginal infections, problems with the cervix, problems with the uterus, endometriosis, problems with the ovary, ectopic pregnancy, intercourse soon after surgery or childbirth, sexually transmitted diseases, injury to the vulva or vagina, skin disorders affecting genitalia, psychological issues, foreskin disease, penis deformities, and painful erections. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include sharp pain during penetration or at entry, deep pain during thrusting, throbbing or aching after intercourse, burning pains, pelvic cramps, and muscle tightness or spasms.

Dyspareunia can be diagnosed through physical examination, ultrasound, and laparoscopy. Furthermore, treatment options for dyspareunia may include water-based lubricants, estrogen creams, tablets, rings, or other medications, managing underlying conditions and resolving guilt, inner conflicts regarding sex, or feelings regarding past abuse.

What are the Similarities Between Dysuria and Dyspareunia?

• Dysuria and dyspareunia are two different genitourinary disorders.
• Both conditions are more common in women.
• These conditions are characterized by intense pain in the genitourinary system.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical symptom evaluation.
• They can be treated with prescription medications and therapies.

What is the Difference Between Dysuria and Dyspareunia?

Dysuria is a condition that causes a burning sensation when urinating, while dyspareunia is a condition that causes genital pain after sexual intercourse. Thus, this is the key difference between dysuria and dyspareunia. Furthermore, dysuria can be caused by a bladder infection, vaginal infection, urinary tract infection, endometritis, urethritis, prostate disease, and cancer. On the other hand, dyspareunia can be caused by vaginal atrophy, vaginismus, vaginal infections, problems with the cervix, problems with the uterus, endometriosis, problems with the ovary, ectopic pregnancy, intercourse soon after surgery or childbirth, sexually transmitted diseases, injury to vulva or vagina, skin disorders affecting genitalia, psychological issues, foreskin disease, penis deformities, and painful erections.

The infographic below presents the differences between dysuria and dyspareunia in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Dysuria and Dyspareunia

What refers to dysuria?

Dysuria refers to painful urination characterized by burning, stinging, or itching.

What is the most common cause of dysuria?

The most common cause of dysuria is the infections.

What medication is used for dysuria pain?

Phenazopyridine is one of the medications that relieve urinary tract pain, burning, irritation, and discomfort.

Summary – Dysuria vs. Dyspareunia

Genitourinary disorders are conditions that affect the genitourinary system. Dysuria and dyspareunia are two different genitourinary disorders. Both these conditions are more common in women and are characterized by intense pain in the genitourinary system. Dysuria causes a burning sensation when urinating, while dyspareunia causes genital pain after sexual intercourse. So, this is the key difference between dysuria and dyspareunia.

Reference:

1. “Dysuria (Painful Urination): 8 Causes of Burning & Pain While Peeing.” WebMD.
2. “Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse): Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Depiction of a lady who has a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)” By Myupchar (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Human female inner genitalia 2” By Sciencia58 – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia