Urethritis Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, And Treatment

The medical illness known as urethritis is typically characterized by inflammation of the urethra . Swelling and irritation of the urethra, frequently accompanied by pain, are symptoms of urethritis. Proper treatments with antibiotic medication can help with quick remedies. Read the article till the end to get a better understanding of urethritis.

What is urethritis?

Types of Urethritis

• Gonococcal urethritis is a consequence of the disease gonorrhoea.
• Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU ) may result from recurrent urethral irritation due to an STI or something other than gonorrhoea.
• Non-specific urethritis (NSU) describes urethritis for which no established cause can be determined.

Causes of Urethritis

• Neisseria gonorrhoea
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Mycoplasma genitalium

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

• Infections of the urinary tract.
• Infections with yeast.
• Exposure to irritants such as soap, douches, and spermicides.
• Engaging in some sexual activities or riding a bicycle might put a strain on your urethra.
• Insertion of a catheter or other device up your urethra to facilitate urination.

Symptoms of Urethritis

Symptoms in Men

• Burning during urination
• Itching or burning close to the penile opening
• Blood in the semen or urine
• Discharge from the penis
• Pain on ejaculation

Symptoms in Women

• An increased need to urinate
• Discomfort when urinating
• Burning or irritation at the urethral opening
• Abnormal vaginal discharge

Risk Factors for Urethritis

• Individuals in the 15–24 age range are more prone to these complications.
• Having multiple sexual partners.
• Engaging in intercourse without protection.
• Use products like douches, spermicides, deodorant tampons, or personal lubricants that may contain irritants.
• Using catheter insertion in the urethra might cause injury or damage.

Complications of Urethritis

• An infection of the bladder, testicles, or cervix.
• The infection may also result in endocarditis and meningitis if it travels throughout the bloodstream.
• In women, it may result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which results in intense discomfort in the area around the pelvis and lower abdomen, bleeding following sex, fever, and green or yellow vaginal discharge.
• Untreated urethritis puts women at risk for cervicitis and bladder infections.
• Urethral fibrosis can result from urethritis and abscesses in the tissue surrounding the urethra.
• It can be passed from infected mothers to their babies.

Diagnosis of Urethritis

• A urethral swab is taken and tested in a lab to look for signs of infection.
• Occasionally, a urine leukocyte esterase test, which looks for white blood cells, can identify or confirm urethritis.
• DNA-based tests for gonorrhoea and chlamydia can be suggested if there is no urethral discharge and pus is seen in the first-void pee.
• Tests for other sexually transmitted infections are often advised to identify and treat the patient's condition accurately.
• A digital rectal exam may also be necessary to check the prostate gland for any associated swelling or inflammation-producing symptoms.

Treatments for Urethritis

• The standard treatment for gonococcal urethritis is 400 mg of oral cefixime or 125 mg of ceftriaxone administered intramuscularly.
• For gonococcal urethritis, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and spectinomycin are alternative therapies.
• To treat concurrent chlamydia infections, doxycycline dosages of 100 or 200 mg are advised.
• Oral azithromycin or doxycycline for a week is a standard treatment for nongonococcal urethritis.
• Before the antibiotics start working, painkillers, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and phenazopyridine, could also be recommended to relieve pain.

Prevention of Urethritis

• Maintaining hygiene standards is crucial, especially surrounding the urethral opening.
• It is ideal to use condoms to protect from any infection during the intercourse.
• Limiting the number of sexual partners.
• Get routine STI testing in the case of multiple sex partners.
• Stay away from substances that could irritate your urethra.
• Avoiding activities that could cause urethral irritation.