ENLmedical.com: Conditions And Concerns: Medical Encyclopedia: Chronic urethritis

Chronic urethritis

Causes and Risks:
Chronic urethritis is usually caused either by a bacterial infection or structural problem (narrowing of the urethra). It may also be associated with a variety of systemic diseases, including emotional disorders. Urethritis may occur in either women or men. The major symptoms of urethritis, painful urination and urinary frequency , are quite common and account for 5 to 10% of all outpatient health care visits. Among the people experiencing such symptoms, 50 to 75% have either a first-time or recurrent bacterial infection of the urethra or bladder ( cystitis ), up to 10% are women with vaginitis , and the remainder are either men or women with urethral syndrome (symptoms present without any evidence of bacterial infection). Organisms that cause a variety of sexually-transmitted diseases are included among the group of possible causative agents.

Prevention:
Maintaining a good water intake may help. Women with intercourse-related urinary tract infections (symptoms occur within 24 hours after intercourse) should urinate after having intercourse. Good hygiene practices for the individual and sexual partner are important. Safer sex behaviors can decrease the risk of developing STD (sexually-transmitted diseases) related to urethritis . Seeking help from an appropriate health care provider as soon as symptoms appear is important in preventing structural damage caused by scarring of persistently inflamed tissue.

Symptoms:

urinary frequency/urgency, increased
urination discomfort, burning or stinging of the urethra or lower abdomen during urination (see painful urination )
urethral discharge, if present, may stain underwear and appear either bloody or pus-like

Note: Symptoms are long standing ( chronic ).

Signs and Tests:

A urinalysis may indicate potential infection.
A urine culture (clean catch) and sensitivity analysis are done to confirm infection and causative agent.
Urethral discharge culture or vaginal culture specimen(s) may be obtained to rule out sexually transmitted diseases.
Cystoscopy may be performed to directly examine the urethra.

Treatment:
If evidence of infection is present, antibiotics are initiated and a follow-up urinalysis or culture will be performed after all the medications have been taken.

Women who have repeated episodes of intercourse-related urethritis or cystitis may be prescribed a peri-coital (taken shortly before or after intercourse) dose of prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics.

People with urethral syndrome (symptoms without evidence of infection) may be prescribed phenazopyridine (Pyridium) to decrease urinary discomfort while further evaluation of the cause is conducted.

Prognosis:
In the majority of cases, a causative agent can be identified and appropriate treatment initiated.

Complications:
Prolonged, untreated infection may progress, developing into pyelonephritis ( kidney infection ) or structural damage to the urinary tract system.

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of chronic urethritis occur.

This is an illustration of the female urinary tract. The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning in the body and relative size of the organs are also demonstrated.

This is an illustration of the male urinary tract. The female and male urinary tract are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning and relative size of the organs are also shown.