Several disorders of the kidney can cause urinary pain.
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common causes of urinary pain. With a UTI there is a strong urge to urinate and a burning sensation when urine is released. When a UTI is severe, it may also cause vague pains in the lower abdomen, back and flanks. Diagnosis can be made by examining the urine under a microscope. The treatment of UTI is hydration and antibiotics.
Prostatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the prostate and can present with urinary pain, difficult urination, frequent urination, fever, low back pain, loss of libido and generalized malaise. Prostatitis is usually caused by an infection. The diagnosis is made by a rectal exam and examination of the urine. Antibiotics generally resolve acute prostatitis.
Benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) is a disorder that affects men; the prostate gland gets bigger and compresses the urethra. This cause obstruction of urine flow and urinary pain. The individual will feel distention of the lower abdomen, inability to pass urine and pain. The condition is often relieved by passing a catheter into the bladder and evacuating the urine.
Kidney stones can cause excruciating urinary pain. Symptoms of kidney stones include waves of crampy pain, associated fever, nausea, sensation of wanting to pass urine and bloody urine. The diagnosis of kidney stone is done by special x rays studies. If the stone is small enough it will pass though in the urine. Large stones may require special procedure to break them up. In any case, pain medications and hydration are the key to treatment.
Pyelonephritis is a painful disorder of the kidney caused by an infection. It presents with fever, chills, muscle aches, severe flank discomfort and urinary pain. Many individuals also complain of burning sensation when passing urine, sense of urgency or an increased frequency of urination. The diagnosis of pyelonephritis can be made by examining the urine, blood cultures and ultrasound of the kidneys. The treatment includes hospitalization, hydration, appropriate antibiotics and pain control.
Epididymitis is an infectious disorder of the testicles caused by bacteria such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia. The individual will complain of a tender scrotum, urinary pain, urgent need to pass urine, painful intercourse, chills, fevers, and discharge from the penis. The condition is diagnosed by performing cultures of discharge. The treatment of Epididymitis involves use of antibiotics.
Vaginal candidiasis occurs when the balance in the vaginal environment is altered. The disorder can present with intense itching, burning, white cheesy discharge, painful intercourse, and urinary pain. Yeast infections are quite common and about 80% of women develop at least one yeast infection. Treatment requires use of anti fungal suppositories and creams.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are also a common cause of urinary pain. The most common STD include Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis and chancroid. These infections are acquired during sexual intercourse and can cause urinary pain. Sometimes the infection may also be associated with discharge (gonorrhea) and painful vesicles (herpes). Some STDs can be readily diagnosed on a physical exam but others require some type of blood tests. All individuals with an STD need some type of antibiotic treatment. Often reexamination are required to ensure that the organism has disappeared.

Misdiagnosis

One should remember that often the signs and symptoms of a urinary pain can be confused with lower back pain, arthritis of the hip or muscle spasms.