URETHRITIS

 Basic information

description

Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the bladder when you urinate. In women, it is about an inch long. In men, it is the full length of the penis. Urethritis can affect all ages and both sexes. In women, it often occurs along with a bladder infection or inflammation (cystitis).

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Painful or burning urination. The pain can be severe.
• Discharge that may be cloudy, yellow-green mucus, or may be watery and white.
• Genital itching, tenderness, or swelling.
• Frequent urge to urinate, even when there is not much urine in the bladder.
• May have blood in urine or semen.
• Men may have no symptoms.

causes

• An infection that is spread by a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The most common cause is a gonorrhea infection. When other infections (e.g., chlamydia or ureaplasma) are the cause, it is called nongonococcal urethritis (NGU).
• Trauma (injury) can be a cause. It may be due to a foreign body insertion or use of a medical instrument.
• Irritation or sensitivity to chemicals used in spermicides or contraceptive creams, foams, or jellies.

risk increases with

• Bacterial infection that spreads and enters the urethra from the skin around the genitals and anal area.
• Contact with an infected sexual partner.
• Multiple sexual partners.
• High-risk sexual behavior.
• Current or previous sexually transmitted disease.
• Use of a urinary catheter (tube used to remove urine).

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Practicing safe sexual behaviors. This includes having only one sexual partner and using rubber (latex) condoms to help protect against infections.

expected outcomes

Proper treatment usually brings complete recovery. Complications are rare.

possible complications

• In women, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), urethral stricture, or infertility may occur. There is also a risk of complications in pregnancy and in a newborn.
• In men, urinary tract infections, urethral stricture, or prostatitis (prostate infection) may occur.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will usually do an exam of the genital area. Medical tests may include blood studies and a culture of urine and any discharge. Testing for other STDs may be done.
• Treatment is normally with drugs for an infection. Your sexual partner(s) needs treatment also.
• If trauma is the cause, treatment involves avoiding the source of injury.
• To relieve pain, take sitz baths by sitting in a tub of warm water for 15 minutes at least twice a day.

medications

Antibiotics for infection will usually be prescribed. A single dose is often all that is needed. In some cases, the infection is persistent and drug therapy may be needed for 14 to 28 days.

activity

Avoid sexual intercourse until all partners are treated. Otherwise, no limits.

diet

No special diet.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has symptoms of urethritis.
• Symptoms worsen or new symptoms occur after treatment.

Special Notes: