Urethritis and urethral syndrome

Description of the disease

Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra. This condition can occur in both women and men. Urethritis is most commonly of infectious origin: bacterial, fungal, viral.

In 95% of cases, urethritis is caused by sexually transmitted infections. The most typical causative agents are: N. gonorrhoea, C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and others.

Urethritis can have an acute and chronic course. Chronic infection occurs in two-thirds of those with urethritis.

Risk factors

The main risk factors that increase the likelihood of infection are:

Female sex,
Multiple sexual partners,
Unsafe sexual intercourse (lack of condom use).

Symptoms

In men, the following clinical manifestations occur: burning sensation when urinating, purulent discharge from the urethra, itching at the opening of the urethra, blood in urine or semen.

Women may experience these symptoms: frequent, painful urination, lower abdominal pain, slight fever.

Diagnosis

The disease is diagnosed based on clinical signs, examination of the genital organs. A urine test is performed, as well as urine or urethral discharge culture. Sometimes urethroscopy is performed.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the disease. Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections, fungicides for fungal infections. Proper hygiene of the genital organs is important for prevention, and it is advisable to use protective measures (condoms) during sexual intercourse.

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology