Introduction
A burning sensation in the urethra usually indicates an inflammation in the area of the urinary tract. An inflammation of the urethra in particular can be caused by certain sexually transmitted pathogens (e.g. chlamydia, gonococcus) or by skin bacteria carried into the urethra. It is called urethritis in technical jargon. A general inflammation of the urinary tract is usually called a urinary tract infection (“UTI”) and occurs more frequently in women than in men.
Causes
The most common causes of burning in the urethra are Below you will find detailed information about the respective causes. A burning sensation in the urethra is usually associated with an inflammation of the urethra. There are two different types of urethral inflammation: The specific and the non-specific urethritis.
The specific urethritis is caused by sexually transmitted bacteria, the gonococci (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and is also known as gonorrhea. The non-specific urethritis is caused by various other bacteria, such as chlamydia, intestinal bacteria, mycoplasma and many others. The urethritis is often transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse.
Furthermore, urethritis can be caused by a urinary catheter. Especially if this catheter has to be worn for a long time, the mechanical irritation can damage the mucous membrane. This favours the penetration of bacteria.
In addition, other diseases, disorders and inflammations of the urinary tract system can cause a burning sensation in the urethra. Furthermore, disturbances in the hormone balance, which are accompanied by a lack of oestrogen, can cause a burning sensation in the urethra. – Urethritis ̈ndung
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia infection
- Urinary tract infection / cystitis
The symptoms and pathogens of cystitis are similar to those of urethritis.
But the location of the cystitis is different, as it is the bladder and not the urethra that is inflamed. A distinction is made between an uncomplicated and a complicated form of cystitis. The uncomplicated cystitis is characterised by the fact that there is no fever and no knocking pain in the back.
It is important to drink a lot. Uncomplicated cystitis is usually treated with antibiotics. The side effects of all medications must be taken into account and there is only a limited possibility of taking them during pregnancy.
In the case of a complicated cystitis, quick and adequate action must be taken. A complicated cystitis shows itself with fever and possibly with knocking pain in the area of the kidney bed. The fever is a sign that the bacteria have entered the bloodstream and thus there is a risk of blood poisoning (“sepsis”).
Pain in the area of the renal bed indicates that the inflammation has risen “high” and possibly an inflammation of the renal pelvis is present. In these cases, the urine findings and the preparation of bacterial cultures from the urine are essential. In addition, nitrite in the laboratory values proves that there are bacteria in the blood.
Here too, it is important to drink as much as possible. Other antibiotics are used medicinally than for the uncomplicated cystitis. An infection with the bacteria gonococcus (Neisseria gonononrrohoeae) leads to a venereal disease.
This infection can cause a specific urethritis. The venereal disease caused by gonococci is colloquially known as gonorrhea. In medical terminology it is known as gonorrhoea.
The infection usually occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse. – Chlamydia infection
- Sexually transmitted diseases
Both women and men can suffer from temporary or permanent estrogen deficiency. Both the causes and the effects of oestrogen deficiency can be very different. An oestrogen deficiency can also affect the functions of the urinary tract system and promote disorders or diseases. The extent of the deficiency should be determined by a doctor and, if necessary, treated with medication.
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