Urethritis, also known as urethritis in medical terminology, is an inflammation of the lining of the urethra. Men and women can be equally affected by this condition.
What is urethritis?
This inflammation of the urethral mucosa is divided into a specific and a non-specific form of the disease. The specific form of urethritis, however, is far more common. Discharge as well as pain and burning during urination are usually clear symptoms of urethritis. However, if it is detected early and treated properly, the chances of complete healing are quite good. Urethritis should not be confused with cystitis. Although both belong to the lower urinary tract infections, they should be clearly distinguished from each other.
Causes
Basically, a distinction is made between specific urethritis – this is caused by a specific form of bacteria, gonococci, and is the most common form of the condition. In turn, non-specific urethritis is caused by chlamydia, corynebacteria, mycoplasma or trichomonads. Urethritis is sexually transmitted and in this case also contagious. However, other causes are also possible for the outbreak of urethritis. Mechanical irritation, for example, can trigger the disease, as can allergic reactions. Even lubricants can be the trigger for urethritis. Particularly with strongly spiced or salted food, urethritis is also not uncommon as a result.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
One of the main symptoms of urethritis is a burning sensation during urination. Furthermore, a purulent, glassy, and cloudy discharge occurs. The urge to urinate is greatly increased. There is often severe pain at the outlet of the ureter. In addition, this is often strongly reddened and itches unbearably. The symptoms of urethritis are the same in women and men. However, they are often pronounced differently. Men often have much more severe symptoms because their urethra is much longer. In some women, urethritis is almost asymptomatic. Others only suffer from an unpleasant feeling when urinating. However, complications can occur in both women and men if urethritis is left untreated. In women, the inflammation may spread to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This may result in abscesses and adhesion of the fallopian tubes there. As a result, there is a threat of infertility. Ovarian inflammation can also spread to the peritoneum and cause life-threatening peritonitis. In men, the inflammation sometimes spreads to the testicles and prostate. In addition, due to their longer ureters, the pain and burning sensation in the ureter is much more pronounced in men than in women. Both sexes may also experience narrowing of the urethra in the course of urethritis.
Diagnosis and course
The diagnosis of urethritis can usually be clearly stated on the basis of the symptoms present. A whitish to green discharge from the urethra is among these symptoms, as is itching and burning of the urethra. The discharge is usually mucous and is also referred to as urethral fluorine by medical professionals. Most affected patients also complain of pain or burning during urination. The opening of the urethra is visibly red and swollen. In about 25 percent of cases, urethritis causes no symptoms at all and remains completely unnoticed. Female patients in particular often do not notice the condition. The symptoms of urethritis are not dissimilar to those of cystitis – after all, both diseases belong to the lower urinary tract infections. However, in order to make a definite diagnosis, the attending physician will take a swab from the urethra. An examination of this swab under the microscope will then determine the exact pathogen causing the urethritis. A urine sample can also provide information about possible pathogens. The course of the disease depends on the particular trigger: often the disease breaks out only after a few days or even weeks. However, if it is then treated professionally, it heals without any consequential damage.However, if left untreated, urethritis can lead to serious complications. The pathogens can spread to other organs – in men, this can be the epididymis or the prostate gland; in women, the fallopian tubes and ovaries can be affected. In the worst case, this inflammation of the fallopian tube or ovaries can even lead to infertility. Pregnant women should also be careful with urethritis, because the pathogens can be transmitted to the child, which in turn can cause conjunctivitis.
Complications
Due to urethritis, in most cases there is relatively severe and burning pain, which occurs mainly during urination. Both men and women are equally affected by this disease. In many cases, the pain causes psychological discomfort or other moods and depression. Those affected deliberately consume less fluid and therefore suffer from dehydration. This generally has a negative effect on the patient’s health and can lead to various complaints. Likewise, itching occurs in various parts of the body. As it progresses, urethritis can also lead to cystitis. This is also usually associated with severe pain, which can likewise spread to other regions of the body. If urethritis is not treated, it can also lead to infertility or conjunctivitis. As a rule, the treatment of urethritis does not lead to further complications. This is done with the help of antibiotics and leads relatively quickly to a positive course of the disease. As a rule, life expectancy is not reduced by urethritis.
When should you go to the doctor?
Urethritis must always be treated by a doctor. Early diagnosis can contribute to a more positive course of the disease and prevent possible complications. The doctor should be consulted if there is a discharge from the urethra. This can be either yellowish or white. Pain during urination also usually indicates urethritis. If this pain continues for several days and does not go away on its own, a visit to a doctor is necessary. The pain is mainly burning. Furthermore, itching sensations on the body often also indicate urethritis if they occur without any particular reason. If urethritis is suspected, a general practitioner or a urologist can be consulted. In serious cases or if the pain is very severe, the hospital can also be visited or the emergency doctor can be called. However, in most cases, the disease can be treated relatively well and there are no further complications or other discomfort.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of urethritis depends on the underlying cause. If bacteria or fungi are known triggers, antibiotics or antifungals are usually used. Patients should also drink enough fluids and dress warmly. Above all, cold feet should be avoided in the disease urethritis. Some home remedies, such as currant or cranberry juice, have also proven effective in the treatment. You should refrain from sexual intercourse until the urethritis has completely subsided, so as not to infect your partner.
Outlook and prognosis
Urethritis usually has a favorable prognosis. Nevertheless, it depends on several influencing factors that must be considered in the individual patient’s evaluation. In particular, women experience a mild form of the disease in most cases. Often, there are no significant symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose and increases the risk of complications. Under optimal conditions, spontaneous healing and complete recovery of the patient occurs after a few weeks. Medical care is not always necessary in these cases. If the course of the disease is unfavorable, secondary diseases develop. These include sexually transmitted diseases in particular. If an infection of the urethra occurs, treatment should be sought. The pathogens usually spread within a short time and cause a deterioration of the general state of health.The administration of medication can prevent the germs from multiplying and enable a rapid recovery. Consequential damage is not to be expected. Doctors speak of an unfavorable course when the inflammation spreads further in the organism and affects other organs or surrounding tissue. Women are threatened with complications of the menstrual cycle and, in the case of an existing pregnancy, with abortion. Men may suffer painful inflammation of the prostate gland, resulting in impaired sexual functioning.
Prevention
Since urethritis is caused by unprotected sexual intercourse in many cases, one should be careful especially here. So using condoms can definitely help prevent urethritis. Many infants are given pathogen-killing eye drops as a preventive measure after birth to prevent conjunctivitis that may result from urethritis.
Follow-up care
After surviving urethritis, the urologist or gynecologist in charge must be consulted once again. Urethritis may persist for a few days and sometimes cause further complications that need to be clarified by a physician. It may be necessary to resume treatment, for example, if symptoms persist or the inflammation returns. Patients who have been diagnosed with urethritis should avoid cold and moisture in the intimate area after treatment is completed. The genital area should continue to be spared until the condition has completely resolved. If after a few days symptoms of urination or other complications reappear, a doctor must be consulted in any case. It is possible that the urethritis has already developed into a chronic disease. In any case, urethritis is a condition that must be monitored by a doctor even after the end of treatment. Especially for people who suffer from chronic symptoms, permanent observation by the attending physician is important. The doctor will examine the urethra using a suitable method and can thus determine whether the inflammation has completely subsided or whether further measures need to be taken. Follow-up care also includes a healthy diet and adequate exercise.
What you can do yourself
In addition to drug therapy, it is generally important in the case of urethritis to drink plenty of fluids and – even if the infection causes pain when urinating – to go to the toilet regularly. Furthermore, the body and especially the pelvic floor region should be kept warm (for example, by using hot water bottles and heating pads). Prolonged sitting on cold surfaces should be avoided. In addition, some home remedies help: fruit juices such as cranberry or cranberry juice or a bath in warm salt water. A healthy diet without alcohol, coffee, citrus juices or highly sugary drinks is also recommended. Folk medicine offers various medicinal plants that can be drunk as a tea or applied as a compress. Classic medicinal herbs for urethritis include nettle, goldenrod, rosehip, juniper and field horsetail. An effective remedy from homeopathy is Cantharis. Sufferers should pay attention to comprehensive intimate hygiene. Extensive showering and the use of perfumed and irritating care products, on the other hand, are not recommended, as this can further irritate the urethra. In the case of a sexually transmitted urethritis, sex should be avoided until recovery. To avoid re-infection, the partner should also be examined and treated if necessary.