Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Urethritis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the body.
Alternative Names
Urethral syndrome; NGU; Non-gonococcal urethritis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Urethritis may be caused by bacteria or a virus. The same bacteria that cause
Other causes include:
- Injury
- Sensitivity to the chemicals used in spermicides or contraceptive jellies, creams, or foams
Risks for urethritis include:
- Being a female in the reproductive years
- Being male, ages 20 - 35
- Having many sexual partners
- High-risk sexual behavior (such as anal sex without a condom)
- History of sexually transmitted diseases
Review Date: 09/03/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of
Medicine; and Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in
Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
