Urethritis
Urethritis is an infection or inflammation of the urethra, which can stem from various causes including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), bacteria, protozoa, viruses, irritants, or trauma. Common symptoms include burning or pain during urination, frequent urination, chills or fever, and in men, a pus-filled, cloudy discharge; women may experience vaginal discharge, rectal discomfort, and pain during intercourse. The condition can arise from infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea and may also be linked to irritants such as soaps and lotions or medical procedures involving catheters. Urethritis typically lasts one to two weeks with appropriate treatment, which primarily involves antibiotics such as doxycycline or azithromycin. Increased fluid intake can help flush the urinary system, while alternative therapies like acupuncture may offer additional relief. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications, including the risk of spreading the infection. Though more prevalent in males, urethritis can affect individuals of any gender and may sometimes present without noticeable symptoms.
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Urethritis
ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Bladder, genitals, urinary system
DEFINITION: An infection or inflammation of the urethra, which may be caused by infective organisms, ingested irritants, or trauma.
CAUSES: Infection with STDs, bacteria, protozoa, or viruses; irritation from soaps, lotions, or spermicides; trauma from catheters or cystoscopes; kidney stones; weakened immune system; urinary tract malformations
SYMPTOMS: Burning or pain with urination, frequent urination, chills or fever; pus-filled and cloudy penile discharge in men and vaginal discharge, rectal discomfort, pain or bleeding during intercourse in women
DURATION: One to two weeks with treatment; sometimes recurrent
TREATMENTS: Antibiotics (doxycycline, azithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, tetracycline); increased fluid intake rate
Causes and Symptoms
Urethritis is most often contracted through intercourse with a partner infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), particularly and chlamydia. It will usually appear a few days after sex. Urethritis may also be caused by a variety of other organisms, including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Mycoplasma genitalium bacteria, Trichomonas vaginalisprotozoa, and simplex viruses. Another source of the disease is irritation of the produced by soaps, lotions, or spermicides. Trauma produced by medical instruments, such as urinary catheters or cystoscopes, can also generate urethritis. Complicated urethritis may be associated with kidney stones, a weak immune system, or malformations of the urinary tract. There are cases of nonspecific urethritis that have no known cause.
General symptoms for males and females include burning or pain when urinating, unusually frequent urination, and chills or fever. In males, pus and cloudy discharges may come from the penis, and the opening to the may stick together from dried-up secretions and may be red, sore, and itchy. In females, vaginal discharge may be present, as well as discomfort in the rectal area and pain or bleeding during sexual intercourse. In some cases, no accompanying symptoms are associated with urethritis.
Treatment and Therapy
To assess possible bacterial sources of urethritis, and urine culture are performed. Abnormal genital discharges and, in some cases, urethral swabs are also examined. If urethritis is diagnosed, then antibiotics are usually administered. The most common ones used are doxycycline, azithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, and tetracycline. Even for cases of nonspecific urethritis, antibiotics have provided an effective treatment. Drinking copious fluids can help dilute and flush the urinary system. Acupuncture and homeopathic therapies sometimes help relieve the effects of urethritis.
If symptoms of urethritis are present, then the urethra should be rested by abstaining from sexual intercourse and masturbation until medical treatment has been received. When treated quickly and correctly, the symptoms are usually resolved in one to two weeks. Without proper treatment, serious complications might include infection spreading into the or kidneys, as well as of the causative to a sexual partner.
When it is not associated with a general urinary tract infection, urethritis is more common in males than females, probably because males have a longer urethra. In some individuals, nonspecific urethritis can have a high rate. Burning during urination can be reduced by adding a small amount of baking soda to drinking water to reduce the acidity of urine.
Bibliography
Beers, Mark H., et al., eds. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 18th ed. Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck Research Laboratories, 2006.
Kasper, Dennis L., et al., eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.
National Library of Medicine. "Urethritis." Medline Plus, 4 July 2022, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000439.htm. Web. Accessed 9 Aug. 2024.
Schmitt, Barton D. Your Child’s Health: The Parents’ One-Stop Reference Guide to Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior Problems, Healthy Development. Rev. ed. New York: Bantam Books, 2005.
Whitaker, Dustin. "Urethritis." Medscape, 6 Sept. 2023, emedicine.medscape.com/article/438091-overview. Accessed 8 Apr. 2024.