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Urethritis

Urethritis conditions, Symptoms and Treatment in London

Urethritis is the inflammation of your urethra (The passage tube that carries urine from the bladder outside the body). Urethritis happens when you have an infection; the most common cause is sexually transmitted infections. If you have gonorrhoea, it could lead to urethritis, but there are also cases of urethritis that are not caused by gonorrhoea.

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Types of Urethritis?

There are several types of urethritis, and they are categorised based on the cause of the infection. They include:

Non-specific Urethritis (NSU)

This type of urethritis has no known cause.

Non-gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

This type of urethritis is not caused by gonorrhoea but by other types of STI or repeated urethra irritation.

Gonococcal Urethritis

This type of urethritis is caused by gonorrhoea.

Who can be affected by urethritis?

Anyone can be affected by urethritis, but certain risk factors might increase your chances of contracting this infection. They may include:

  • If you are having sex without the use of protection.
  • People between the ages of 15 to 24.
  • If you have urethral trauma, which an injury could cause or if a urinary catheter has been put into your urethra.
  • If you have multiple sexual partners.
  • If you use materials with irritants, such as douches, personal lubricants, deodorant tampons or spermicides.

Is urethritis common?

Yearly, there are over 100,000 reported cases of urethritis, and a larger percentage of these cases are caused by NGU. However, note that it is possible to have urethritis and not show symptoms.

What are the signs and symptoms associated with urethritis?

You may notice the following if you have urethritis, including:

  • Pain in the pelvic area
  • Painful urination (dysuria)
  • Itching at the top of the urethra
  • Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
  • Discharge from your penis with blood or pus

Women may not show symptoms if they have NGU, but men mostly show symptoms.

Causes of Urethritis

The most common cause of urethritis is sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Other than gonorrhoea, a couple of other STIs can cause urethritis, including:

  • Genital herpes
  • Chlamydia
  • Trichomoniasis

Apart from STIs, you may also get urethritis from:

  • Yeast infections
  • Roughly squeezing your penis
  • Putting things into your urethra such as a urinary catheter, to help you pass out urine.
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Use of irritants such as soaps, douches or spermicides
  • Activities that stress the urethra, such as certain sexual activities or riding a bicycle.

Is urethritis highly contagious?

Urethritis is not contagious, but the infections responsible for urethritis may be contagious. If your urethritis is caused due to an STI, you will need to get treatment for that STI. Also, inform your partner to get treated to avoid passing the infection between you.

How is urethritis diagnosed?

If you notice symptoms of urethritis, schedule an appointment with your medical practitioner. Your healthcare practitioner may ask questions about your sexual history or other health-related questions. Afterwards, a physical examination will be done to check for signs of pain, discolouration, swelling, or redness.

Your healthcare practitioner may carry out the following:

  • Urine tests
  • Blood test
  • A lab test of discharge

The results from these tests will help your healthcare practitioner diagnose urethritis and the infection responsible for causing it.

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Are there treatments available for urethritis?

Yes, urethritis can be treated, and the primary treatment for urethritis is the use of antibiotics, either as a combination of medications or alone. Some commonly used antibiotics include:

  • Ofloxacin
  • Cefixime
  • Azithromycin
  • Levofloxacin
  • Ceftriaxone
  • Doxycycline

Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics even before the test results are out if they feel you have an infection. Taking a pain reliever might also help. If your urethritis results from irritation from items like spermicides or soap, your provider will advise that you stop using the irritant. Also, avoid tight-fitting clothing or reduce the time spent on activities that might be causing urethral friction.

What are the side effects of treatment?

A lot of antibiotics may cause side effects like stomach pain, nausea or diarrhoea. If you are currently on any over-the-counter treatments or medications, kindly inform your healthcare provider about this.

How long does it take for me to get better after treatment?

If you follow the instructions of your healthcare provider, you may begin to feel better a few days from when you start the medication. Depending on what your healthcare provider recommends, you may need to take the antibiotics for a week to 10 days.

How can I prevent urethritis?

You can lower your chances of having urethritis by:

  • Avoiding activities that might cause irritation to your urethra
  • Getting regular STI tests for sexually active people
  • Practising safe sex and reducing the number of sexual partners you have
  • Avoiding the use of chemicals that may irritate your urethra

What is the outlook for urethritis?

Generally, most people with urethritis get better and completely cured when they use the right treatment. Note that it is advisable to inform your sexual partners to also take medications. If only one of you gets treated, there is a chance of continuous back-and-forth infection between the both of you.

If both of you get treated, you people should wait a couple of days to be sure all the symptoms are cleared before engaging in sexual activities. Also, ask your healthcare provider about steps to take on safe sex and prevent future infections. Using condoms and dental dams can help prevent certain infections.

Does urethritis self-resolve?

Urethritis may self-resolve after a while. But if your urethritis is caused by an STI, the infection will remain in your body. Untreated STI can lead to health complications such as:

  • Abscess in your urethra
  • Swelling of your penis
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Reactive arthritis
  • Urethral strictures
  • Swelling of the lymph channels in the penis
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Infertility

How can I care for myself if I have urethritis?

You can do the following if you have urethritis:

  • Drink a lot of water so your urine is diluted and hurts less
  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers to help with the pain
  • Pee whenever you have the urge to pee
  • Try taking sitz baths twice or thrice daily.

When should I see my doctor?

If your diagnosis indicates that you have urethritis, you should call your doctor if:

  • You feel the situation is worsening
  • You are reacting badly to your medication
  • You have developed new signs and symptoms
  • You don’t feel better after taking medications and following your doctor’s instructions.

Reach out to us today!

You may have urethritis if you are having itchiness or pain when you pee. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us at STI Clinic UK; we will be sure to diagnose you and provide treatment so you can get better as soon as possible. Give us a call today!