Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms in FemalesSymptoms in MalesCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisComplicationsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms in Females
Symptoms in Males
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Complications
Prevention
It can sometimes be difficult to know if you have urethritis or some other medical condition and whether you needantibioticsor can wait for the condition to clear on its own. Given the risk of STIs, it is in your best interest to have it checked out.
This article looks at the symptoms of urethritis in females and males, including how the condition is diagnosed, treated, and prevented. It also explains how long healing takes and what could happen if you leave urethritis untreated.
Urethritis Pain: Symptoms in Females
Urethritis symptoms in females can differ from males. This is partly due to the location of the urethra next to the organs of the female reproductive tract, including thevaginaand the donut-shaped opening of theuteruscalled thecervix.
Because of this, urethritis in females will frequently co-occur withcervicitis(inflammation of the cervix), particularly when gonorrhea or chlamydia are involved.
In such instances, symptoms may include:
Even so, urethritis in females is oftenasymptomatic(meaning without symptoms) and may go unnoticed until serious complications develop. Some studies suggest that up to 75% of females who get chlamydia have no symptoms at all.
Signs and Symptoms of Urethritis
Urethritis Pain: Symptoms in Males
Males are more likely than females to experience symptoms of urethritis.This is partly because the male urethra is longer than the female urethra (7 inches versus 1.5 inches) and therefore has more surface area.
Symptoms of urethritis in males may include:
Urethritis in males often co-occurs withproctitis(inflammation of the rectum). This can cause anal itching, rectal pain or bleeding, andtenesmus(a feeling that you need to pass stools even though your bowels are empty).
What to Know About Urethritis in Males
Causes: Is Urethritis Always From an STI?
While gonorrhea and chlamydia account for a major proportion of urethritis cases, they are not the only cause.There are many possible causes broadly categorized as either:
Other common and uncommon causes of NGU include:
STI vs. UTI: Which Do I Have?
How Do You Know You Have Urethritis for Sure?
Other infections can mimic symptoms of urethritis, including aurinary tract infection (UTI),cystitis(bladder infection), andprostatitis(inflammation of the prostate gland).Because of this, it is important to see a healthcare provider to confirm you have urethritis and pinpoint the exact cause.
Lab Tests
If urethritis is suspected, aswab of fluid will be taken from the urethra. A rapid test called agram staincan determine if there are any foreign bacteria in the sample. A microscopic examination of the sample can establish whether gonococcal urethritis or NGU is the most likely cause.
Based on the findings, apolymerase chain reaction (PCR)test can be performed on a swab or urine sample to confirm gonorrhea, chlamydia, orMycoplasma genitaliumas the cause.
If the findings are negative, other tests will be ordered to investigate less likely causes.
Urethritis and Antibiotic Treatment
With few exceptions, urethritis doesn’t heal on its own and will require medical treatment to clear the underlying infection. Even for non-infectious causes, treatment may be needed.
Ideally, the treatment would be tailored to the infection, but this is not always possible. Because people are sometimes reluctant to return to an STI clinic after the initial diagnosis, public health officials tend to prefer delivering treatment immediately rather than delaying it.
Even if the bacterial cause is not confirmed, an NGU will generally be treated with one of the following three antibiotic regimens:
For gonococcal urethritis, the following antibiotic treatment is recommended:
Other causes may be treated with otherantibiotic,antiviral, orantifungal drugs. Even if the cause is non-infectious, antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the risk of a bacterial infection.
How Gonorrhea Is Treated
When Do Urethritis Symptoms Start to Heal?
Urethritis tends to respond well to the appropriate antibiotic. Symptoms often resolve within a few days, but you must complete treatment to ensure the infection is fully cleared. Stopping early increases the risk ofantibiotic resistance, making the drugs less effective if you acquire the infection again.
Even when treatment is completed, it may be time before the underlying infection is fully cleared. Until then, you need to avoid sexual contact until your healthcare provider gives you the OK. This prevents you from transmitting it to others and reduces your risk of reinfection.
When Can I Resume Sex?If you have been diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea or chlamydia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends abstaining from sex for the following periods:Gonococcal urethritis: Wait seven days after you and your partners have been treated. Retesting is recommended in three months regardless of whether your partners have been treated or not.NGU: Wait until you and your partner have completed the seven-day course of treatment. If a single dose was used, you should also wait seven days. Retesting is recommended in three months.
When Can I Resume Sex?
If you have been diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea or chlamydia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends abstaining from sex for the following periods:Gonococcal urethritis: Wait seven days after you and your partners have been treated. Retesting is recommended in three months regardless of whether your partners have been treated or not.NGU: Wait until you and your partner have completed the seven-day course of treatment. If a single dose was used, you should also wait seven days. Retesting is recommended in three months.
If you have been diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea or chlamydia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends abstaining from sex for the following periods:
Risks of Untreated Urethritis
The natural course of untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia is highly variable.Some people may have a persistent asymptomatic infection, while others may spontaneously clear the infection after weeks or months of unpleasant symptoms.Either situation places a person at risk of complications.
If left untreated, gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to:
A person with an untreated STI also risks transmitting the infection to sexual partners.
Self-Care to Stay Ahead of Another Urethritis
A 2013 study in theJournal of Infectious Diseasesreported that 10% to 20% of people successfully treated for chlamydia were reinfected within several months.Reinfection rates were similar among people treated for gonorrhea, hovering at around 14%.
Given the high rate of reinfection, it is important to embrace strategies to avoid exposure to STIs and other infectious and non-infectious causes of urethritis.
These include:
Recommended STI ScreeningsUrethritis most often affects sexually active younger people. To better protect yourself, ask your healthcare provider about recommended STI screenings.The CDC currently recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for:All sexually active women under 25Women 25 and over with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partnersAll sexually active gay, bisexual, and othermen who have sex with menThe terms for sex, gender, and sexual orientation from the cited source are used.
Recommended STI Screenings
Urethritis most often affects sexually active younger people. To better protect yourself, ask your healthcare provider about recommended STI screenings.The CDC currently recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for:All sexually active women under 25Women 25 and over with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partnersAll sexually active gay, bisexual, and othermen who have sex with menThe terms for sex, gender, and sexual orientation from the cited source are used.
Urethritis most often affects sexually active younger people. To better protect yourself, ask your healthcare provider about recommended STI screenings.
The CDC currently recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for:
The terms for sex, gender, and sexual orientation from the cited source are used.
A Guide to Regular STI Screenings
Summary
Asbacterial STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia cause most cases,the treatment usually involves antibiotics. To prevent reinfection or infecting others, you would need to avoid sex for up to seven days following the completion of treatment.
12 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.
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