Urethritis

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What is URETHRITIS?

Urethritis is a condition in which the urethra, or tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, becomes irritated and inflamed. The male urethra also receives sperm.

Urinary pain and an increased desire to pee are common symptoms of urethritis. The most common cause of urethritis is bacterial infection.

Transmission

Most episodes of urethritis are caused by infection by bacteria that enter the urethra from the skin around the urethra's opening. Bacteria that commonly cause urethritis include:

Gonococcus, which is sexually transmitted and causes gonorrhea.
Chlamydia trachomatis, which is sexually transmitted and causes chlamydia.
Bacteria in and around stool.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) can also cause urethritis. Trichomonas is another cause of urethritis. It is a single-celled organism that is sexually transmitted.

Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia are usually confined to the urethra. But they may extend into women's reproductive organs, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

In men, gonorrhea and chlamydia sometimes cause epididymitis, an infection of the epididymis, a tube on the outside of the testes. Both PID and epididymitis can lead to infertility.

Prevention

Many bacteria that cause urethritis can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. As a result, practicing safe sex is a critical preventative measure. The following suggestions can assist you in lowering your risk:

Intercourse with many partners should be avoided.
When you have sex, always use condoms
Get tested on a regular basis.
Others should be protected. If you find out you have a STI, tell people who could be at risk of contracting it.

Symptoms in Men Include

Males with urethritis may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Burning sensation while urinating
Itching or burning near the opening of the penis
Presence of blood in the semen or urine
Discharge from the penis

Symptoms in Women Include

Some symptoms of urethritis in women include:

More frequent urge to urinate
Discomfort during urination
Burning or irritation at the urethral opening
Abnormal discharge from the vagina may also be present along with the urinary symptoms

People who have urethritis may also not have any noticeable symptoms. This is especially true for women. In men, symptoms may not be apparent if the urethritis developed as a result of chlamydia or occasionally trichomoniasis infection.

For this reason, it’s important to undergo testing if you may have been infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Treatment

Treatment for urethritis typically includes a course of either antibiotics or antiviral medication. Some

Azithromycin, an antibiotic, typically taken as a one time dose
Doxycycline, an oral antibiotic that is typically taken twice a day for seven days
Erythromycin, an antibiotic that can be administered orally, four times a day for seven days
Ofloxacin, an oral antibiotic that is typically taken twice a day for seven days
Levofloxacin, an oral antibiotic that is typically taken once a day for seven days