Whenever you’re dealing with a medical problem, it’s important to keep your eye on the big picture. You don’t want to become overconfident about your diagnosis or treatment plan. In addition to learning about your diagnosis and treatment plan, you need to understand the symptoms you’re experiencing, as well as the prevention methods that you can use.
Symptoms
Symptoms of urethritis vary depending on the cause. A person may experience burning or itching when urinating, frequent urination, or difficulty starting urination. These symptoms are most often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are several causes of urethritis, and it can lead to infertility.
If you suspect you are infected with an STI, you should see a physician. He or she will perform a physical examination and ask you about your sexual history. The doctor will then analyze your genital area for signs of an infection. A blood test can also be performed to check for STIs. If you are infected with a bacterial or viral infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics.
Your physician will also ask you to provide a sample of your urine for testing. The sample will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. If you are infected with chlamydia, you will be given a nucleic acid amplification test. If you are infected with trichomoniasis, you will be given Flagyl.
There are several causes of urethritis, including bacterial, viral, and non-specific. Some of the common symptoms include pain with urination, fever, and a sore or irritated tip of the urethra. Other symptoms can be less noticeable.
Infections that cause urethritis can be very serious. They can affect the kidneys and bladder, which can lead to permanent damage. In some cases, untreated urethritis can even spread to the ureters and urethral stricture. A small percentage of patients develop reactive urethritis triad, a condition that involves the kidneys, bladder, and urethra.
There are different types of urethritis, and they can be treated with medication. Your physician can recommend a specific drug that will help alleviate the symptoms of urethritis. Those with chronic urethritis may require a different antibiotic.
Symptoms of urethritis can be prevented by good personal hygiene, practicing monogamy, and practicing safer sexual behaviors. People should not use products that can irritate the urethra. The urethra is very susceptible to irritation from detergents, colognes, and soaps. You should avoid sex with more than one partner at a time.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of urethritis may be caused by any of the following: urinary tract infection (UTI), chemical irritants, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Treatments are individualized based on the etiology of the infection.
A diagnosis of urethritis is usually made through a physical exam, laboratory tests, and a medical history. In addition, certain blood tests may be performed. Some of the common tests include a nucleic acid amplification test for chlamydia, a urinalysis to check for the presence of gonorrhea, or a test for trichomoniasis.
Most etiologies of urethritis are infectious. However, some cases are caused by non-infectious agents, such as adenovirus, Haemophilus influenzae, or a viral infection. Depending on the suspected cause, treatment may be antibiotics or antiviral medications.
Men can develop a painful inflammation of the prostate gland and dysuria, which may also be accompanied by nocturia. In some cases, a male patient may develop urethral stenosis or narrowing of the urethra. In other cases, a male may have urethral scars, which may lead to pain and itching of the urethra.
To diagnose urethritis, a doctor will ask about the symptoms, take a medical history, perform a physical examination, and collect a sample of discharge. This sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. The sample may be examined for neutrophils, leukocyte esterase positivity, and mucoid strands. In some cases, a pathologist will smear the swab sample on a glass slide.
For a more thorough diagnosis, a doctor may order lab tests to analyze a swab sample from the vagina. If the test indicates that the patient has a genital infection, the doctor will order a blood test to look for signs of a sexually transmitted infection. The lab will also conduct tests for other suspected causes of urethritis.
A patient should be tested for urethritis as soon as possible. If a person has symptoms of urethritis, it is important to inform his or her partner of the diagnosis and to follow up three months after the treatment. This can prevent reinfection by the sexually active individual.
If a woman has urethritis, she should avoid sex until at least one week after the last dose of prescribed antibiotics. If she has a persistent infection, she should investigate for co-infections and other less common causes. Alternatively, she can undergo cystoscopy, which is a surgical procedure to examine the urinary tract and the urethra.
Treatment
Symptoms of urethritis may include pain, itching, or burning. If you experience these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Untreated urethritis can lead to more severe complications. Often, urethritis is caused by an infection or a chemical irritant.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also cause urethritis. If you have been exposed to an STI, you should make sure you get tested. If you do not have an STI, you can prevent urethritis by using condoms and practicing safer sexual behaviors.
If you have been diagnosed with urethritis, you should avoid sex for at least one week. If your partner has been treated for urethritis, you should wait at least a week before sexing again.
If your doctor suspects urethritis, he or she will perform a physical examination of your genital area. The doctor will look for tenderness in the cervix, and he will check for signs of other infections.
If your urethritis is caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. Your provider will also prescribe medication to help relieve your symptoms. These medications are typically nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If your urethritis has been caused by a chemical irritant, your healthcare provider may recommend that you use sitz baths. These baths are used several times a day. These types of baths will help you to dilute your urine and relieve the pain associated with urinating.
If you are a male and have been diagnosed with urethritis, your physician will likely prescribe antibiotics for your urethra. You should follow the instructions on the prescription. You will want to schedule a follow-up visit at least three months after you start treatment.
Your healthcare provider may also order lab tests to determine the cause of your urethritis. This test will allow your physician to begin treatment as quickly as possible. The results of the laboratory test will determine what type of bacteria is causing your urethritis. If the test shows a bacterium that is resistant to the medication your provider has chosen, you may need to be referred to a urologist for additional testing.
Prevention
Symptoms of urethritis include burning during urination, pain while urinating, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. This condition is often caused by an infection, although it can also be caused by a chemical irritation or a foreign body in the urethra.
A swab from the urethra can help diagnose urethritis. If you think you have urethritis, see your doctor as soon as possible. You may also have to take blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Depending on the cause of your urethritis, your doctor will treat you with antibiotics or other medications. They are aimed at eliminating the infection and improving your condition. Some patients may also need pain relievers or antiviral drugs.
Some causes of urethritis are due to bacteria, parasites, or the herpes simplex virus. These infections can spread to other parts of the urinary tract, such as the bladder or ureters. Getting treatment for urethritis is especially important if you are a sexually active person. Untreated urethritis can cause serious complications. Besides causing pain, nausea, and bleeding, it can also lead to a life-threatening urinary tract infection.
The urethra is a muscular tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside environment. It is about one and a half inches long for women, but shorter for men. Its narrowing or enlargement can be the result of scarring or severe infection. If you have urethritis, your doctor will likely recommend a swab analysis, a pelvic ultrasound, and blood tests. If you have a swab analysis, your doctor will probably order a urine test to detect white blood cells in your urine.
During intercourse, bacteria that cause gonorrhea can transfer to the urethra, causing urethritis. Chlamydia is another common cause of urethritis. It can spread to the urethra, vagina, and ovaries.
If you are a man, you can reduce your risk of developing urethritis by using barrier contraceptives and avoiding sex with multiple partners. Keeping up with good hygiene practices is also a key to preventing urethritis.
There are two main types of urethritis: infectious and non-infectious. Infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or enteric organisms, while non-infectious causes are mechanical or chemical trauma.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/