Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
An itchy urethra in assigned males and a milky discharge from the penis are a couple of the symptoms associated withurethritis, orinflammationof theurethra. Common causes include sexually transmitted infections, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, as well as noninfectious reasons, such as rough fabric or soap irritation.
Diagnosis involves a physical exam and various lab tests. Treatment will vary based on the specific cause, but may include prescription and over-the-counter medications.
This article discusses the symptoms and causes of urethritis in assigned males. It also looks at diagnosis and treatment.
Verywell / JR Bee
Urethritis Symptoms
Common symptoms of urethritis include:
Most simple cases do not include fever. If the infection that’s causing the urethritis is severe or involves other parts of the body, though, symptoms may include:
RecapUrethritis symptoms include itching, burning, pain during sex, and discharge. Severe infections might also include other symptoms, like a high fever, vomiting, or pain in the back, abdomen, or joints.
Recap
Urethritis symptoms include itching, burning, pain during sex, and discharge. Severe infections might also include other symptoms, like a high fever, vomiting, or pain in the back, abdomen, or joints.
STI Symptoms of the Penis
Urethritis Causes
There are many reasons why the male urethra may become inflamed. The causes can be grouped as:
Gonococcal Urethritis
Males diagnosed with gonorrhea may have painful urination and a milky discharge from the penis.
Females with gonorrhea often do not have symptoms.
Non-Gonococcal Urethritis
Infectious
The most commonpathogensthat cause NGU includeChlamydia trachomatis(chlamydia),Trichomonas vaginalis(trichomoniasis), andMycoplasma genitalium(Mgen).
Noninfectious
Even rough fabric can cause urethritis. This might happen if the fabric irritates the opening of the urethra.
Other conditions may have urethritis as a symptom. These include:
Severe or complicated cases may be referred to a urologist.
RecapUrethritis can have many potential causes. Some, like certain bacteria and viruses, are transmitted sexually. Other causes include chemical irritants and conditions like urinary tract infection or kidney stones. Sometimes no cause is found.
Urethritis can have many potential causes. Some, like certain bacteria and viruses, are transmitted sexually. Other causes include chemical irritants and conditions like urinary tract infection or kidney stones. Sometimes no cause is found.
Diagnosis of Urethritis
To diagnose urethritis, two gloved fingers are used to spread the opening of the urethra. Visible signs of redness, discharge, and other abnormalities may suggest urethritis.
Next, a dry cottonswab is inserted into the urethra. The swab is rotated once to obtain a sample of cells. You will also be asked to submit a urine sample.
A pathologist will take the swab sample and smear it on a glass slide. It can then be viewed under a microscope.
Anucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)on the urine sample can confirm gonorrhea or chlamydia.Other tests may be ordered if the cause is unclear.
Urethritis can be diagnosed whether the cause is known or unknown. This can be done based on one or more the following:
RecapSee a doctor if you have symptoms of urethritis. Diagnosis is based on a physical exam and lab tests.
See a doctor if you have symptoms of urethritis. Diagnosis is based on a physical exam and lab tests.
Treatment of Urethritis
Treatment of urethritis depends on the cause. Bacterial causes are usually treated with antibiotics. If the cause can’t be found but there is discharge or inflammation, you may still be given antibiotics.
For urethritis, the most common antibiotics include:
Certain strains of bacteria may be resistant to some antibiotics. This includes strains of the bacteria that cause gonorrhea, chlamydia, and Mgen. This can make treatment more difficult.
Viral causes like HSV and CMV may be treated with antiviral drugs. Such drugs include Zovirax (acyclovir) and famciclovir.
Males diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis should schedule a follow-up appointment three months after completing antibiotics.This is because these diseases have high rates of reinfection. During the follow-up, you’ll undergo repeat testing for STIs.
Summary
Urethritis is a symptom of an infection or other condition. It can cause itching, burning, pain, and discharge. If the infection is severe, it may also cause fever and other symptoms.
Urethritis is diagnosed with an exam and lab tests. Treatment depends on the cause. Bacterial causes are treated with antibiotics. Viral causes are treated with antiviral drugs.
A Word From Verywell
Precautions can reduce your risk of urethritis. Be sure to use external or internal condoms, or other barrier methods when engaging in sexual activity.
It is also important to limit your number of sex partners. This can help prevent STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.
If you develop urethritis, don’t have sex until you finish your entire course of antibiotics. You could still be infectious even if your symptoms go away before you are finished with treatment.
Failure to finish your antibiotics could lead to antibiotic resistance. This can make it harder to treat your infection if it returns.
No, a UTI is a urinary tract infection. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra only. Symptoms of urethritis and a UTI overlap and include painful urination.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Young A, Wray AA.Urethritis. In:StatPearls [Internet].Moi H, Blee K, Horner PJ.Management of non-gonococcal urethritis.BMC Infect Dis.2015;15:294. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1043-4Sadoghi B, Kränke B, Komericki P, Hutterer G.Sexually transmitted pathogens causing urethritis: A mini-review and proposal of a clinically based diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.Front Med. 2022;9:931765. doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.931765Papp JR, Schachter J, Gaydos CA, Van Der Pol B.Recommendations for the laboratory-based detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae—2014.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2014;63(0):1–19.Bartoletti R, Wagenlehner FM, Johansen TE, et al.Management of urethritis: is it still the time for empirical antibiotic treatments?European Urol Focus. 2019;5(1):29-35. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2018.10.006Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelinesAdditional ReadingBachmann L, Manhart LE, Martin DH, et al.Advances in the understanding and treatment of male urethritis.Clin Infect Dis.2015;61 (Suppl 8):S763-9. doi:10.1093/cid/civ755
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Young A, Wray AA.Urethritis. In:StatPearls [Internet].Moi H, Blee K, Horner PJ.Management of non-gonococcal urethritis.BMC Infect Dis.2015;15:294. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1043-4Sadoghi B, Kränke B, Komericki P, Hutterer G.Sexually transmitted pathogens causing urethritis: A mini-review and proposal of a clinically based diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.Front Med. 2022;9:931765. doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.931765Papp JR, Schachter J, Gaydos CA, Van Der Pol B.Recommendations for the laboratory-based detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae—2014.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2014;63(0):1–19.Bartoletti R, Wagenlehner FM, Johansen TE, et al.Management of urethritis: is it still the time for empirical antibiotic treatments?European Urol Focus. 2019;5(1):29-35. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2018.10.006Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelinesAdditional ReadingBachmann L, Manhart LE, Martin DH, et al.Advances in the understanding and treatment of male urethritis.Clin Infect Dis.2015;61 (Suppl 8):S763-9. doi:10.1093/cid/civ755
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Young A, Wray AA.Urethritis. In:StatPearls [Internet].Moi H, Blee K, Horner PJ.Management of non-gonococcal urethritis.BMC Infect Dis.2015;15:294. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1043-4Sadoghi B, Kränke B, Komericki P, Hutterer G.Sexually transmitted pathogens causing urethritis: A mini-review and proposal of a clinically based diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.Front Med. 2022;9:931765. doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.931765Papp JR, Schachter J, Gaydos CA, Van Der Pol B.Recommendations for the laboratory-based detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae—2014.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2014;63(0):1–19.Bartoletti R, Wagenlehner FM, Johansen TE, et al.Management of urethritis: is it still the time for empirical antibiotic treatments?European Urol Focus. 2019;5(1):29-35. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2018.10.006Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines
Young A, Wray AA.Urethritis. In:StatPearls [Internet].
Moi H, Blee K, Horner PJ.Management of non-gonococcal urethritis.BMC Infect Dis.2015;15:294. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1043-4
Sadoghi B, Kränke B, Komericki P, Hutterer G.Sexually transmitted pathogens causing urethritis: A mini-review and proposal of a clinically based diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.Front Med. 2022;9:931765. doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.931765
Papp JR, Schachter J, Gaydos CA, Van Der Pol B.Recommendations for the laboratory-based detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae—2014.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2014;63(0):1–19.
Bartoletti R, Wagenlehner FM, Johansen TE, et al.Management of urethritis: is it still the time for empirical antibiotic treatments?European Urol Focus. 2019;5(1):29-35. doi:10.1016/j.euf.2018.10.006
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines
Bachmann L, Manhart LE, Martin DH, et al.Advances in the understanding and treatment of male urethritis.Clin Infect Dis.2015;61 (Suppl 8):S763-9. doi:10.1093/cid/civ755
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