URETHRITIS

General Information

DEFINITION--Inflammation or infection of the urethra (the tube through which urine travels from the bladder to the outside). Urethritis is frequently accompanied by bladder infection or inflammation (cystitis). The female urethra is much shorter than the male's.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Urethra; bladder (sometimes).

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--All ages and both sexes, but 10 times more common in females.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Painful or burning urination.
• Discharge that may be cloudy, yellow-green mucus, or may be watery and white.
• Frequent urge to urinate, even when there is not much urine in the bladder.
• Painful sexual intercourse or temporary impotence in males.
• Dribbling of urine (usually in men over 50).
• No symptoms may be present, but both sexes may be carriers of the causative organism.

CAUSES

• The same bacterial infection that causes gonorrhea causes gonococcal urethritis; nonspecific urethritis (also called nongonococcal urethritis) may be caused by a variety of organisms, including bacteria, yeast and chlamydial infection.
• Other causes could be trauma from an injury or surgery, or from an antiseptic.
• Bubble bath and bath oils have been known to cause a urethritis.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Bacterial infection that spreads and enters the urethra from skin around genitals and anus.
• Bruising during sexual intercourse.
• Contact with an infected sexual partner.
• Use of a urinary catheter.
• Use of drugs to which bacteria causing infection have become resistant.
• Multiple sexual partners.
• Previous kidney stones, prostatitis, epididymitis or genital injury.
• Previous sexually transmitted disease.

HOW TO PREVENT

> For causes related to sexual activity:

Drink a glass of water before sexual intercourse, and urinate within 15 minutes afterward. Use a latex condom. Use a water-soluble lubricant e.g., K-Y Lubricating Jelly. Use varying sexual positions to decrease the chance of trauma to the female urethra.

> For causes related only to women:

After bowel movements, wipe from front to back and wash with soap and water. Take showers rather than tub baths.

• Drink 8 glasses of water every day.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Medical history and exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory blood and urethral discharge studies and urinalysis.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• A repeat culture should be done after treatment to verify a cure.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Chronic urethritis and cystitis, if treatment is inadequate.
• Spread of infection to ureters and kidneys.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--With prompt diagnosis and treatment, you will have a relief of symptoms within 24 hours and the problem will resolve without complications.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• To relieve pain, take sitz baths in a tub of hot water for 15 minutes at least twice a day.
• Men: Don't irritate the urethra by pulling the penis skin down to open it and see if the discharge is still present. The penis may be inspected, but don't squeeze it.
• Keep the area around the genitals clean. Use unscented, plain soap.
• Your doctor may recommend testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight infection. Be sure to finish the dose, even if symptoms subside sooner.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions. Avoid sexual excitement and intercourse until you have been free of symptoms for 2 weeks.

DIET--

• Drink 8 glasses of water every day.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol during treatment.
• Drink cranberry juice to acidify urine. Some drugs are more effective with acid urine.

Call Your Doctor If

• The following occurs during treatment: Oral temperature of 101F (38.3C) or higher. Bleeding from the urethra or blood in urine. No improvement in 1 week, despite treatment.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.