Bladder pain may be induced due to urinary tract infection, chronic diseases (e.g.interstitial cystitis) or injury. Symptoms may be stable or variable and may improve or aggravate with bladder distention, (when the bladder is filled up with urine). Bladder pain can be described as an acute, deep, stabbing or burning sensation -depending on the actual cause. Pain intensity may range from mild to severe. There are many potential causes for a painful bladder. The most commmon one is urinary tract infection (UTI).

Interstitial Cystitis is a chronic disease inducing pain to the bladder that is often accompanied with pain in  genitalia, pelvis and anal area. When causing pain to the bladder, UTI usually results in dysuria (painful micturition), urinary frequency or urgency. In more rare cases,  painful bladder may be associated with a chronic underlying disease, such as endometriosis and intestinal disorders, or expandedcancer. Malignant tumours may induce bladder pain, as well as dysuria, abdominal pain and hematuria (blood in the urine).