Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Reasons for the Test
Results
Treatment
Prevention
A clear or white discharge from the penis (urethral discharge) is a common problem. To find out why there is discharge from the urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body), a healthcare provider may do a urethral swab test to collect a sample and test for infection.
The urethral swab diagnostic test identifies germs in the urethra that may be causing inflammation and discharge. It captures cells and germs in the area to be tested in the laboratory. The test can detect many bacterial strains, viruses, and other infections.
A urethral swab is sent to the lab for testing. The results tell the healthcare provider what’s causing the symptoms and if themale dischargeis normal. The urethral swab can help detectsexually transmitted infections(STIs) early, enabling treatment and preventing the infection from spreading.
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A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Reasons for a Urethral Swab Test
A healthcare professional will perform a urethral swab test to determine the cause of symptoms like discharge or problems with urination.Urethral discharge from the peniscan be normal in adults and children, but it may be produced due to infection or inflammation.
Reasons for urethral discharge in males include germs that inflame the urethra (urethritis) or aurinary tract infection(UTI), which is an infection in the urinary tract. Theurethradrains urine from the bladder and runs through the penis (or to the vulva in people without a penis).
UTIs are much less common in people with a penis because the urethra is much longer than in people without a penis.However, urethritis is more common in people with a penis due to the increased length of the urethra.The leading cause of urethritis is an STI or other infection.
The urethral discharge from urethritis may be minimal or copious. It may be clear or white and pus-like. Germs like bacteria and viruses can cause urethritis and urethral discharge.
Some germs that cause urethritis and urethral discharge syndrome include STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes, and other infections, includingEscherichia coli(E. coli) and yeast.
A healthcare professional will use a urethra swab test to determine what is causing the discharge and other symptoms. The swab will be tested for bacteria and viruses, including STIs.
While some STIs can be screened for with blood or urine tests, a urethral swab may still be the best method of diagnosis. In some cases,rapid STI testsare less reliable than a urethral swab, but their convenience and speed are a benefit in others.
Urethral Swabs in FemalesThe equivalent test to a urethral swab in females is a swab test of either the urethra, vagina, or cervix. The swab tests are for STIs like chlamydia.
Urethral Swabs in Females
The equivalent test to a urethral swab in females is a swab test of either the urethra, vagina, or cervix. The swab tests are for STIs like chlamydia.
A urethral swab can point to a correct diagnosis in order to get the proper treatment. This treatment can clear up your symptoms without further problems.
However, if left untreated, urethritis can lead to long-term damage to the urethra. Scar tissue called urethral stricture can also cause long-term problems. Infections can move up the urinary tract and damage other organs.
A urethral swab test is an outpatient test done while you’re awake. Like taking a blood sample, you’ll see and feel what is happening during the test.
The urethral swab is a special type of medical swab. It is a long, slender stick with a small, soft, absorbent tip ideal for collecting samples from the male urethra.
Swab Process From Start to Finish
Your healthcare provider will instruct you to avoid urinating for at least one to two hours before the test. You might have this test done at your provider’s office, a testing laboratory, a hospital, or a clinic.
Penile SwabThe term “penile swab” may refer to a swab used outside of the urethra on the skin of the penis.This is a different test from a urethral swab. It may be used for skin infections and other diagnostics.
Penile Swab
The term “penile swab” may refer to a swab used outside of the urethra on the skin of the penis.This is a different test from a urethral swab. It may be used for skin infections and other diagnostics.
First, the healthcare provider cleans around the opening of the urethra with sterile gauze. They gently insert the swab 2 centimeters into the urethra and rotate it for two to three seconds.
They’ll remove the swab and send it to the lab for testing. After the test, you can go about your day normally.
Does a Urethral Swab Hurt?
A urethral swab might be uncomfortable. You may feel pressure or a burning sensation when the swab touches the urethra. It may be slightly painful.
Anxiety and DiscomfortIf you are feeling anxious, know the test takes just a few seconds and the professionals who give them usually have done many. Practice some relaxation techniques before the test. Ask your healthcare provider if taking pain medicine before the test is safe.
Anxiety and Discomfort
If you are feeling anxious, know the test takes just a few seconds and the professionals who give them usually have done many. Practice some relaxation techniques before the test. Ask your healthcare provider if taking pain medicine before the test is safe.
Along with discomfort, there’s a chance of fainting.When the swab is introduced into the urethra, it may stimulate the vagus nerve, causingvasovagal syncope. This can reduce blood flow to the brain, leading to a brief loss of consciousness. Other risks include infection or bleeding.
Results From Urethral Swab
Results from a urethral swab should be available within a few days to a week. The swab may be positive for infection of various kinds or negative.
Positive for Bacteria
A positive result on a urethral swab would indicate that a germ like a bacteria or virus was causing your symptoms. Germs that may show up on a urethral swab include:
Positive for Viruses
Negative for Bacteria and Viruses
A urethral swab test may be negative for bacteria or viruses. However, an infection may still be the cause of your symptoms. This is because medical tests can’t rule out every infectious organism.
If urethral discharge is present but your tests are negative, you may have an infection that isn’t gonorrhea or chlamydia. Common causes of these infections are yeast, parasites, and mycobacteria.
These may include:
Treatment for a Positive Swab
If the urethral swab is positive, treatment focuses on ridding your body of the infection. This will improve your symptoms, reduce the chance of spreading the disease, and reduce the risk of long-term complications from the illness.
The most common and effective treatment for a bacterial infection is antibiotics. The types of antibiotics used differ based on the strain of bacteria causing the inflammation.Pain relievers for general body pain and those for localized urinary tract pain can also help treat symptoms.
While managing the symptoms and getting treatment, avoid sex or use condoms.Inform your sexual partner of your diagnosis and make sure they also get treated for the infection.
Urethritis may become chronic if it lasts at least six weeks, even while being treated with antibiotics. Your healthcare provider will prescribe you a new antibiotic to treat this problem.
Penile Health and Preventing Infection
To avoid having to have a urethral swab, practice good penis hygiene and make sure to practice safe sex.
Things you can do to help avoid urethritis include:
Summary
A clear or white liquid coming from the penis is urethral discharge. It is usually from an infection. Other medical issues can also cause it. A urethral swab can help find the cause of discharge.
A urethral swab test involves collecting samples from the urethra. A laboratory professional tests the sample to detect bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. The test can diagnose an infection.
Infections detected with a urethral swab are often sexually transmitted. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. Early detection of these infections can help you avoid complications. It also reduces the risk of spreading the disease.
A positive test result helps you get the right treatment. Treatment usually includes antibiotics for bacterial infections or antiviral medications for viral causes. Early treatment helps prevent complications, such as urethral strictures or damage to urinary organs.
8 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.MedlinePlus.Urethral discharge culture.Urology Care Foundation.Urinary tract infections in adults.UC San Diego.Urinary tract infections.MedlinePlus.Urethritis.World Health Organization.Urethral discharge syndrome. In: Guidelines for the management of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2021.American Academy of Family Physicians.Urinary tract infection (UTI).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydial infections - STI treatment guidelines.Puritan Medical Products.Complete guide to urethral penile swabs: a critical tool for men’s health.
8 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.MedlinePlus.Urethral discharge culture.Urology Care Foundation.Urinary tract infections in adults.UC San Diego.Urinary tract infections.MedlinePlus.Urethritis.World Health Organization.Urethral discharge syndrome. In: Guidelines for the management of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2021.American Academy of Family Physicians.Urinary tract infection (UTI).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydial infections - STI treatment guidelines.Puritan Medical Products.Complete guide to urethral penile swabs: a critical tool for men’s health.
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.
MedlinePlus.Urethral discharge culture.Urology Care Foundation.Urinary tract infections in adults.UC San Diego.Urinary tract infections.MedlinePlus.Urethritis.World Health Organization.Urethral discharge syndrome. In: Guidelines for the management of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2021.American Academy of Family Physicians.Urinary tract infection (UTI).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydial infections - STI treatment guidelines.Puritan Medical Products.Complete guide to urethral penile swabs: a critical tool for men’s health.
MedlinePlus.Urethral discharge culture.
Urology Care Foundation.Urinary tract infections in adults.
UC San Diego.Urinary tract infections.
MedlinePlus.Urethritis.
World Health Organization.Urethral discharge syndrome. In: Guidelines for the management of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2021.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Urinary tract infection (UTI).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydial infections - STI treatment guidelines.
Puritan Medical Products.Complete guide to urethral penile swabs: a critical tool for men’s health.
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