What You Need to Know About Urethritis in Men?
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Published:22 November 2022
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Updated:17 November 2024
Urethritis is an inflammation of the mucous wall of the urethra. There are different types of urethritis. The most common are infectious and non-infectious urethritis (specific and nonspecific).
Infectious Specific Urethritis: Causes of the Condition
Infectious-specific urethritis is caused by sexually transmitted infections (gonorrheal, trichomonad). Infectious nonspecific urethritis develops due to the microflora (streptococci, staphylococci, Gardnerella) ordinarily present in the body but are activated only during inflammatory processes.
Non-Infectious Urethritis
Non-infectious urethritis develops after any trauma of the mucosa of the urethra, which is possible during medical manipulations on the urethra, such as the insertion of a catheter into the bladder. Allergic reactions, constriction of the urethra, and aggressive or extremely frequent masturbation can be possible causes.
Symptoms of Urethritis
The first symptoms of urethritis are:
- Painful urination with frequent urges.
- A burning sensation at the beginning and end of urination.
- Discharges from the urethra, resulting in redness and adhesion of the external orifice.
- Itching and redness of the urethra.
- Increased body temperature, general malaise.
Symptoms of acute urethritis occur within a few days in the case of specific urethritis and 5-20 days in the case of nonspecific urethritis. Late diagnosis and improper treatment can provoke the development of a chronic form of the disease. Manifestations of chronic urethritis - scarce discharge from the urethra, especially in the morning, moderate pain, and itching in the urethra.
Such symptoms of urethritis in men as abnormal changes in the process of urination require immediate medical attention.
These include:
- Delayed onset of urine output.
- Decreased intensity of flow.
- Interruption of the process.
- Release of urine by drops.
- Absolute delay.
Recommended Treatment
If such signs are detected, it is necessary to urgently consult a urologist because if not treated on time, the disease may acquire a chronic form, and the inflammatory process may pass to other organs of the genitourinary system - the prostate, seminal vesicles, testicles. Only a doctor can choose an effective treatment regimen for you.
Urethritis in men (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6813963/), Scand J Infect Dis Suppl. 1982:32:85-6. Accessed 26 Sep. 2024.
Diagnosis and treatment of urethritis in men (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20353145/), Am Fam Physician. 2010 Apr 1;81(7):873-8. Accessed 26 Sep. 2024.
Urethritis in men (https://patient.info/sexual-health/sexually-transmitted-infections-leaflet/urethritis-and-urethral-discharge-in-men), 21 Jun 2024. Accessed 26 Sep. 2024.
CKS Urethritis - male (https://www.nice.org.uk/cks-uk-only) March 2024 (UK access only). Accessed 26 Sep. 2024.