Urethritis
What is it?
Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra, the thin tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder.Often caused by a bacterial infection, urethritis may produce distinctly different symptoms in men and women. Infectious agents (including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpesvirus) transmitted during sexual activity may cause urethritis in both men and women, but women may not exhibit any symptoms. In symptomatic women, urethritis may be difficult to distinguish from a bladder infection; however, treatment is similar in either case (see Bladder Infection for more information). Urethritis may also be caused by nonsexually transmitted infections; such infections are most common among women.
What Causes It?
- In women, urethritis often results from an infection caused by bacteria that normally inhabit the anal area with no ill effect. If these bacteria enter the urinary tract, urethritis may ensue.
- Urethritis may result from sexual transmission of the herpesvirus or the bacteria that cause chlamydia or gonorrhea.
- Prolonged use of a urinary catheter increases the risk of urethritis.
- Sexual activity may bruise the urethra in women and promote inflammation.
- Some soaps, bath oils, and vaginal douches may irritate the urethra.
Prevention
- Use condoms during sexual intercourse to help decrease the risk of infection.
- Good hygiene is recommended, especially prior to sexual activity. Use mild, unscented soap. Showers are less likely to promote urethritis than baths.
- To flush bacteria from the vaginal tract, women should drink some water prior to sexual intercourse and urinate within 15 minutes afterward; if necessary, they should use a water-soluble lubricant (not petroleum jelly) to decrease the risk of bruising during intercourse.
- After using the bathroom, women should wipe from front to back to avoid spreading fecal bacteria to the urethra.
- Women should not douche unless otherwise instructed by a doctor.
- People who have recurrent episodes of urethritis should drink at least eight glasses of liquid a day and should avoid caffeine and alcohol, which may irritate the bladder.
Diagnosis
- Patient history and physical examination.
- Microscopic examination and culture of urethral discharge and urine.
How to Treat It
- Antibiotics, prescribed to treat bacterial infections, should be taken for the full term as directed; stopping the medication too early may result in a more serious and more difficult-to-treat rebound infection. For sexually transmitted diseases, only one partner may exhibit symptoms, but it is likely that the symptomless partner is also infected. Therefore, both partners need to be treated to prevent a self-perpetuating cycle of reinfection.
- Analgesics may be administered to relieve pain.
- Cranberry juice can increase the acidity of urine and enhance the effectiveness of some medications for urinary tract infections.
When to Call a Doctor
- Call a doctor if you or your partner experiences painful, frequent urination, or if you notice an abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis.
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Copyright © 2008 Medletter Associates, LLC
Content excerpted from Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies: The Complete Home Medical Reference.