Urethritis

Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen). It mainly affects people with a penis.

Urethritis is often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The most common causes are chlamydia and gonorrhoea, but other infections such as Mycoplasma genitalium, herpes simplex virus, and trichomoniasis can also cause it. Sometimes no specific cause is found.

Urethritis is most often passed on through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom. Sometimes irritation or injury to the urethra during sex or sex play can also cause similar symptoms. In some cases, no clear cause is identified.

Some people have no symptoms.

If symptoms do happen, they may include:

• Discharge from the penis
• Pain, stinging, or burning when peeing
• Irritation or discomfort at the tip of the penis
• An uncomfortable feeling along the urethra.

Urethritis can often be treated with medication quickly. If it is not treated, however, the effects can be lasting and quite serious. The infection may spread to other parts of the urinary tract, including the ureters, kidneys, and bladder and lead to infertility (not being able to conceive babies).

Testing for urethritis is usually done in people with a penis who have symptoms.

Tests may include:

• A first-pass urine sample
• Sometimes a swab from the urethra, if needed.

For the most accurate results, testing is usually done at least 2 hours after you last urinated. If symptoms continue after treatment, further testing may sometimes be needed, including testing for Mycoplasma genitalium.

Urethritis is treated with antibiotics.

Your doctor or nurse will choose the most appropriate treatment based on:

• Your test results
• Your symptoms
• Whether gonorrhoea is suspected.

It is important to take all treatment exactly as prescribed.

Avoid sex, or use condoms, for 7 days from the start of treatment and until your sexual partner or partners have been tested and treated.

Using condoms correctly every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex helps reduce the risk of urethritis and other STIs. Regular STI testing is also important, especially if you have new or multiple partners.

If you are diagnosed with urethritis, it's important to tell anyone you have had sex with in the last 3 months.

Because chlamydia is a common cause, recent partners may need testing and sometimes treatment even if their early test results are negative, especially if the last sexual contact was very recent or they have symptoms.

Partner notification helps prevent reinfection and reduce transmission. Your doctor, nurse, or sexual health clinic can help you with this.