Urethritis

Definition

Urethritis is an inflammation (irritation with presence of extra immune cells) of the urethra.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Urethritis may be caused by the same organisms that cause urinary tract infections (E. coli or klebsiella) and by some sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and Ureaplasma urealyticum infections).

Viral causes of urethritis include herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus. Urethritis may also develop because of a chemical irritatant, such as spermacide in condoms or contraceptive jelly, cream, or foam. Trauma may also cause urethritis.

Men between the ages of 20 and 35, those with multiple sexual partners, and those who engage in high-risk sexual behavior (such anal sex without a condom) are at higher risk.

Young women in their reproductive years are also at risk. In women, common bacterial causes include gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasma hominis, ureaplasma urealyticum, and mycoplasma genitalum. Risk factors include youth (younger than 20), multiple partners, and a prior history of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

Symptoms

In men:

• Dysuria (burning pain with urination)
  
• Increased urinary frequency or urgency
  
• Itching, tenderness, or swelling in penis or groin area
  
• Fever (rare)
  
• Discharge from penis (usually moderate, yellow or clear, possibly purulent)
  
• Pain with intercourse or ejaculation
  
• Blood in the urine or semen
  

In women:

• Dysuria
  
• Increased urinary frequency or urgency
  
• Fever and chills
  
• nausea and vomiting
  
• Abdominal pain
  
• Vaginal discharge
  
• PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
  
• Other infections of reproductive organs (cervicitis, salpingitis)
  
• Fertility problems
  
• Pelvic pain
  
• Ectopic pregnancy
  
• Complications of pregnancy (miscarriage, preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, fetal infection, postpartum infection)