Urethritis

Definition

Urethritis is inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the body.

Alternative Names

Urethral syndrome; NGU; Non-gonococcal urethritis

Causes

Both bacteria and viruses may cause urethritis. Some of the bacteria that cause this condition include E coli, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These bacteria also cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and some sexually transmitted diseases. Viral causes are herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus.

Other causes include:

  • Injury
  • Sensitivity to the chemicals used in spermicides, contraceptive jellies, or foams

Sometimes the cause is unknown.

Risks for urethritis include:

  • Being a female
  • Being male, ages 20 to 35
  • Having many sexual partners
  • High-risk sexual behavior (such as men having penetrating anal sex without a condom)
  • History of sexually transmitted diseases

Symptoms

In men:

In women:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Burning pain while urinating
  • Fever and chills
  • Frequent or urgent urination
  • Pelvic pain
  • Pain with intercourse
  • Vaginal discharge

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will examine you. In men, the exam will include the abdomen, bladder area, penis, and scrotum. The physical exam may show:

  • Discharge from the penis
  • Tender and enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area
  • Tender and swollen penis

A digital rectal exam will also be performed.

Women will have abdominal and pelvic exams. The provider will check for:

  • Discharge from the urethra
  • Tenderness of the lower abdomen
  • Tenderness of the urethra

Your provider may look into your bladder using a tube with a camera on the end. This is called cystoscopy.

The following tests may be done:

  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • C-reactive protein test
  • Pelvic ultrasound (women only)
  • Pregnancy test (women only)
  • Urinalysis and urine cultures
  • Tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other sexually transmitted illnesses (STI)
  • Urethral swab

Treatment

The goals of treatment are to:

  • Get rid of the cause of infection
  • Improve symptoms
  • Prevent the spread of infection

If you have a bacterial infection, you will be given antibiotics.

You may take both pain relievers for general body pain and products for localized urinary tract pain, plus antibiotics.

People with urethritis who are being treated should avoid sex, or use condoms during sex. Your sexual partner must also be treated if the condition is caused by an infection.

Urethritis caused by trauma or chemical irritants is treated by avoiding the source of injury or irritation.

Urethritis that does not clear up after antibiotic treatment and lasts for at least 6 weeks is called chronic urethritis. Different antibiotics may be used to treat this problem.

Outlook (Prognosis)

With the correct diagnosis and treatment, urethritis most often clears up without further problems.

However, urethritis can lead to long-term damage to the urethra and scar tissue called urethral stricture. It can also cause damage to other urinary organs in both men and women. In women, the infection could lead to fertility problems if it spreads to the pelvis.

Possible Complications

Men with urethritis are at risk for the following:

After a severe infection, the urethra may become scarred and then narrowed.

Women with urethritis are at risk for the following:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of urethritis.

Prevention

Things you can do to help avoid urethritis include:

  • Keep the area around the opening of the urethra clean.
  • Follow safer sex practices. Have one sexual partner only (monogamy) and use condoms.

References

Babu TM, Urban MA, Augenbraun MH. Urethritis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 107.

Swygard H, Cohen MS. Approach to the patient with a sexually transmitted infection. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 269.

Related Links

Review Date: 7/4/2022
Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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