Other names: urethritis infection Urethritis is a disease that appears when the urethra is irritated by external causes. A urethritis differs from a urinary tract infection, in terms of inflammation of the urethra
Inflammation affects the urethra only, while in the case of a urinary tract infection, it causes inflammation of the entire urinary system. The symptoms and apparent signs of the two diseases may be similar, but the treatment differs between them depending on the difference in the cause of the disease.
Urethritis affects people of all ages and genders, but it affects women more, due to the difference in the size of the urethra between women and men, as the urethra is longer in men while it is short in women, which allows the germ to reach it faster in women.
Urethritis affects approximately 4 million people a year in the United States.
Symptoms of urethritis
Urethritis affects both men and women, so symptoms differ slightly between the sexes. Some people develop urethritis and have no symptoms.
The following are the main symptoms of urethritis
1. Symptoms of urethritis in women
Most women develop the following symptoms if urethritis is present
The appearance of abnormal secretions from the vagina.
Abdominal and pelvic pain.
Pain during intimacy.
Frequent or urgent urination.
fever and chills
Stomach pain.
Itch.
2. Symptoms of urethritis in men
Among the most prominent signs that appear on the man when urethritis
Presence of blood in the urine or semen.
Feeling pain when ejaculating.
Secretions from the penis.
Burning feeling while urinating.
Itching or swelling of the penis.
Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area.
Fever, but it is a rare symptom.
Causes and risk factors for urethritis
Urethritis occurs as a result of many different causes and factors, the most important of which are as follows:
1. Causes of urethritis
There are many different causes of urethritis, as follows
Bacterial infection caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STD - Sexually transmitted diseases)
Most cases of urethritis occur as a result of an infectious disease.
There is a group of germs that cause urethritis, and they characterize a group of sexually transmitted diseases, such as:
Gonorrhea: caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Chlamydiosis: caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
Mycoplasma: caused by infection with the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium.
Among these diseases, chlamydia is the most prevalent, and in a large part of the cases there are two factors causing the disease, such as: urethritis with gonorrhea and chlamydia.
viral infection
Urethritis may be caused by a viral infection, such as
Herpes simplex virus.
Cytomegalovirus.
Adenoviruses.
Less common causes
There is another type of urethritis caused by germs related to inflammatory germs in the urinary tract, mainly Escherichia coli. These germs reside in the urethra instead of the urinary bladder and cause a similar disease in the urinary bladder, which is cystitis.
Other causes of urethritis include
Reiter''s syndrome, which causes inflammation of the eyes, joints, and urethra.
Ureaplasma urealyticum, a bacterial infection of the urinary tract.
Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis).
Allergy to chemicals used in contraceptive gels, soaps, creams, or spermicides.
Antiseptics, or some products, such as: tea tree oil, may cause inflammation.
Friction resulting from sexual intercourse or masturbation may cause urethritis in a man.
There are some causes that may be individual for the same person.
2. Risk factors
Among the most prominent risk factors that increase the chances of developing urethritis
Having a history of sexually transmitted diseases.
Having sex with more than one partner.
Complications of urethritis
Among the most prominent complications resulting from urethritis, if not treated, are the following:
Transmission of the disease-causing germ to other organs, such as: ureters, kidneys, and bladder.
The germ reaches the blood, causing septicemia.
Damage to affected organs if the infection is not treated.
Pelvic inflammatory disease - PID, which causes infertility, pelvic pain, and pain during sexual intercourse.
An ectopic pregnancy in the absence of treatment for a sexually transmitted disease, which is a life-threatening disease.
Severe urethritis, prostatitis, or urethral stricture in men.
Diagnosis of urethritis
Urethritis can be diagnosed by the symptoms and the patient’s medical history. In the event that the patient feels difficulty urinating, the doctor often assumes the presence of a bacterial infection and treatment is done before the results of the tests appear. Among the most important tests that are performed:
Physical examination: This includes examinations of the genitals, abdomen, and rectum.
Urine examination: to diagnose the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, and to detect the type of bacteria causing inflammation.
Excretion analysis: Secretions are analyzed by looking under a microscope.
Blood test: The test is not usually done for most cases, but some cases may require it.
Treatment of urethritis
Urethritis is treated as follows
1. Pharmacological treatment of urethritis
Urethritis can be treated with the following medications
Antibiotics
The choice of antibiotics depends on the type of bacteria causing the disease, and the most prominent antibiotics used are: Doxycycline, Erythromycin, or Metronidazole.
In the event of gonorrhea, it is preferable to use azithromycin or doxycycline.
In the case of mycoplasma, it is preferable to use azithromycin or moxifloxacin.
pain killers
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Naproxen, are used for pain relievers.
Medicines to reduce the need to go to the bathroom
Medicines are used to treat pain and reduce the need to enter the bathroom urgently, and among the most prominent medicines used: Phenazopyridine.
In general, single-dose therapy is encouraged by the CDC because of adherence, and it is recommended that treatment be taken directly in the clinic.
2. Home remedies for urethritis
In fact, there is no proven natural treatment for urethritis.
Cranberries may help prevent bacteria from sticking to the urethra.
Drinking 21.5 to 43 milliliters of unsweetened cranberry juice daily may help women prevent recurring UTIs.
It is also advised to stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids, around 6-8 glasses of water per day, and refrain from drinking caffeine and alcohol.
Prevention of urethritis
Urethritis can be prevented by
Practice safe sex by using a condom.
Abstain from having sex with more than one partner.
Take care of personal hygiene.
Stay away from chemicals that cause irritation in the area, such as: soaps and disinfectants.
Common types
There are two main types of urethritis and they are as follows
1. Gonococcal urethritis
The urethritis caused by gonorrhea is the highest incidence of the disease, accounting for 20% of all urethritis infections.
2. Nongonococcal urethritis
The aforementioned causes other than gonorrhea constitute this type of gonorrhea.
