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Urethritis: causes, symptoms and treatment

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

The inflammation and irritation of the urethra are medical conditions called urethritis. The urethra is the tube through which urine is carried from the bladder to the outside of the body. Although not always, most of the time, this inflammation of the urethra is due to the suffering of bacterial or viral infections, among which are some common sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or genital herpes. For this reason, urethritis may appear accompanied by other types of symptoms that should be identified and treated appropriately as soon as possible.

To know in detail the causes, symptoms, and treatment of urethritis, and to know those measures and care that can prevent, in a certain way, its condition, continue reading this article by FastlyHeal.

Causes of urethritis

Urethritis, in most cases, is the result of some bacterial or viral infection. Specifically, the same bacteria and viruses that cause conditions such as urinary tract infections and some sexually transmitted diseases are what can lead to the inflamed and irritated urethra. Here are the leading infectious causes of urethritis:

  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection: bacteria that cause gonorrhea.
  • Chlamydia trachomatis infection : bacteria that cause chlamydia .
  • Other bacteria that can cause urethritis are ureaplasma urealyticum, mycoplasma hominis, and mycoplasma genitalium.
  • When a virus causes inflammation of the urethra, these are usually the herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus.

However, it may also be that the cause is not of infectious origin and that urethritis is due to some of the following circumstances or conditions:

  • Injury caused by an instrument such as a urinary catheter.
  • Exposure and sensitivity to chemical components of spermicides, creams, etc.
  • She has reactive arthritis or Reiter’s syndrome. This disease encompasses different conditions, which can cause inflammation in the joints, eyes, and genital and urinary systems.

In addition to knowing the most common causes, it is convenient to know that certain people have a greater predisposition to suffer from urethritis, such as women of reproductive age, men who are between 20 and 35 years old, those who have multiple sexual partners, those who engage in high-risk sexual practices, and those who have previously suffered from a sexually transmitted disease.

Symptoms of urethritis

The symptoms of urethritis manifest differently in the female sex than in the male sex, so below, we show you which are the signs that women and men can experience.

Symptoms of urethritis in women

  • Abdominal pain
  • Pain when urinating.
  • Frequent urination or urgent urination.
  • Pelvic pain
  • Discomfort during sexual intercourse.
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Fever and chills

Symptoms of urethritis in men

  • Painful urination.
  • Urgent and frequent urination.
  • Urethral discharge can be scanty and only observed during the first urine of the day or, on the contrary, be abundant and present throughout the day.
  • Presence of blood in urine or semen.
  • Swelling, tenderness, and itching of the penis.
  • Discomfort during sexual intercourse or when ejaculating.
  • They have swollen groin lymph nodes.
  • Fever, although it is not very common.

It is essential to see your doctor if you notice an abnormal discharge from the penis or a vaginal discharge with significant color, texture, and odor changes. Both men and women should also see a specialist if they have frequent urination or it causes pain or is accompanied by symptoms such as fever or the presence of blood.

Treatment of urethritis

The treatment of urethritis consists mainly of eliminating the cause of the infection, alleviating and improving the symptoms, and preventing the disease from spreading. Depending on the underlying cause, one treatment or another should be followed, so the medical diagnosis is of the utmost importance.

Those urethritis caused by bacterial infections, such as the sexually transmitted diseases gonorrhea and chlamydia, will require a specific antibiotic treatment to kill the causative bacteria completely. On the other hand, viral urethritis should be treated with antiviral drugs, which will help reduce the intensity of symptoms. Both antibiotics and antivirals should be taken according to medical instructions, and in no case should the treatment be stopped, as then it might not be effective.

It is also important to note that all partners of people with infectious urethritis should undergo medical tests and initiate appropriate treatment. Likewise, as specialists report, it is essential to suspend sexual intercourse if you suffer from any venereal disease or are taking antibiotics for urethritis.

The doctor, in addition, may prescribe the taking of some analgesic medication to lessen the symptoms and alleviate the discomfort that the inflammation of the urethra is causing.

When urethritis is the result of trauma or irritating chemical components, contact with the source of the injury or irritation should be avoided, and, in addition, an oral analgesic can also be taken to reduce pain.

Tips to prevent urethritis

  • Do not have sex with multiple people.
  • Use a condom in all sexual relations.
  • When starting a relationship, make sure that the other person is completely healthy and does not suffer from sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Maintain good intimate hygiene not to facilitate the entry of microorganisms into the urethra.
  • Urinate after sexual intercourse to prevent germs and bacteria on the genitals and rectum from entering the urethra and causing the bladder infection.
  • Avoid exposure to spermicides or contact with chemicals that can irritate the urethra.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Urethritis: causes, symptoms, and treatment, we recommend that you enter our Kidney and urinary system category.

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