Definition

Urethritis is an inflammation, infection, or irritation of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder.

Female Urethra Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

Urethritis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses, including:

• Organisms that cause bladder or kidney infections:
  • E. coli
  • Klebsiella
• Organisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases (STDs):
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Trichomonas vaginalis
  • Viruses such as herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, or human papillomavirus
• Other bacteria:
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum
  • Mycoplasma genitalium

Risk Factors    TOP

Risk factors that increase your chance of getting urethritis include:

• Sex: female
• Multiple sexual partners
• Recent change in sexual partners
• Unprotected sex (without use of a condom)
• History of other STDs
• Bacterial infection of other parts of the urinary tract (bladder, kidney, prostate)
• Medications that lower resistance to bacterial infection
• Having catheters or tubes placed in the bladder
• Acidic foods
• Spermicides

Symptoms    TOP

People with urethritis may not have symptoms, especially women. About half of men infected with chlamydia have no symptoms.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain and/or burning while urinating
• Blood in the urine
• Increase in urinary:
  • Frequency
  • Urgency
• Itching, swelling, and/or tenderness in the groin
• Pain during sex
• In men:
  • Discharge from the penis
  • Blood in the semen
  • Pain during ejaculation
  • Swollen and/or tender testicles

If left untreated, urethritis can spread and cause infection in other parts of the urinary tract such as the bladder, ureters, or kidneys.

Diagnosis    TOP

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. It will include a pelvic exam. Urethritis is usually diagnosed from its symptoms. Tests to confirm the diagnosis and identify the organism causing the condition may include:

• Urethral swab for microscopic study or culture
• Blood and urine tests
• Specific tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other STDs

Treatment    TOP

Urethritis is usually treated with medication. The type of medication will depend on the cause of the urethral infection:

• Antibiotics—to treat urethritis caused by bacteria
• Antiviral drugs—to treat urethritis caused by a virus

If urethritis is caused by an STD, all sexual partners should be tested and treated.

Prevention    TOP

Steps to prevent urethritis include:

• Practicing safe sex by using condoms and barrier methods of contraception
• Urinating immediately after having sexual intercourse
• Treating all sexual partners who are infected or exposed
• Regularly drinking plenty of fluids, especially cranberry juice