Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra, commonly caused by bacterial or viral infections, including sexually transmitted diseases. Symptoms include burning during urination, discharge, and swelling. Antibiotics are used to treat the condition, and patients should abstain from sex or use a condom during treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage.
Urethritis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the urethra, which is a tube in the male body that carries urine and reproductive fluids from inside the body to outside. It is also found in the female body, although it only serves to pass urine in this capacity.
A person can develop urethritis in a number of ways. Bacterial and viral infections are common causes, with those associated with STDs and urinary tract infections being the typical cause. Examples of sexually transmitted diseases that can lead to this condition include cytomeglovirus and herpes. In some cases, the condition can also be caused by injury or a sensitivity to chemicals found in some spermicides or contraceptive creams, jellies, and foams.
Individuals with multiple sexual partners are more likely to develop this condition. The inability to wear a condom during sex also puts an individual at a higher risk. While males between the ages of 20 and 35 are most commonly affected, it can affect women of reproductive age as well.
Men who develop urethritis typically experience an increased need to urinate, as well as a burning sensation when urinating. They may also develop a yellow or clear discharge from the penis in moderate amounts or feel general tenderness or itching in the groin area. Also, the penis or groin area may swell and the man may feel pain when he ejaculates or develop blood in his semen or urine. Fever, although rare, can also accompany urethritis.
Women with this condition may also experience burning when urinating and an increased need to urinate. They may also develop fever and chills, experience abdominal pain, and experience vomiting and nausea. Women may also have vaginal discharge and pelvic pain. Women may also develop problems associated with pregnancy, such as difficulty getting pregnant, ectopic pregnancy, or complications such as miscarriage or stillbirth.
Urethritis is treated with antibiotics which, in some cases, must be given intravenously. Pain relievers may also be needed to treat symptoms while the disease itself is being treated. During treatment, people with urethritis should either abstain from sexual intercourse or be sure to use a condom to prevent the infection from spreading. Most patients can be cured completely without complications. If left untreated, however, the condition can lead to permanent damage to the urethra.
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