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Urethritis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Treatment:

The goal of therapy is to improve symptoms, prevent spread of infection, and eliminate the cause of infection. Antibiotic therapy should target the specific organism causing the infection. In some cases, antibiotics may need to be given by IV. Pain relievers (including pyridium, which works specifically on the urinary tract) may be used along with antibiotics.

Persons with urethritis who are being treated should avoid sex or use condoms during sex. If an infectious organism is the cause of the inflammation, the patient's sexual partner must also be treated.

Urethritis caused by trauma or chemical irritants is treated by avoiding the source of injury or irritation.

Expectations (prognosis):

With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, urethritis usually clears up without any complications. However, urethritis can lead to permanent damage to the urethra and other genitourinary organs in both men and women.

Complications:

Men with urethritis are at risk for the following complications:

• Cystitis (bladder infection)
• Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
• Epididymitis
• Orchitis (testes infection)
• Prostatitis (prostate infection)  
• Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urine channel in the penis)

Women with urethritis are at risk for the following complications:

• Cystitis (bladder infection)
• Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
• PID (pelvic inflammatory disease)
• Cervicitis (infection of the cervix)
• Salpingitis (infection of the ovaries)
• Fertility problems
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Miscarriage
• Other complications of pregnancy

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of urethritis.

References:

Lyon CJ . Urethritis.  Clin Fam Pract . 2005 Mar; 7(1); 31-41.

Walsh PC. Campbell's Urology . 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Sanders; 2002:673-678. 

• Review Date: 5/3/2006
• Reviewed By: Neil D. Sherman, MD, Urologist, Essex County, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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