Urethral syndrome

If there is an infection, you will be given antibiotics. A follow-up urinalysis or culture will be done after you finish all of the medicine to make sure the infection has cleared.

Women who have repeated episodes of intercourse-related urethritis or cystitis may need to take a dose of preventive antibiotics before or after intercourse.

Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) may be prescribed to decrease urinary discomfort.

You should stop using any possible chemical irritants.

In most cases, the health care provider can find the cause of the urethritis and treat it.

Chronic urethritis can lead to narrowing (urethral strictures). Surgery or another medical procedure may be needed to correct the problem.

A long-term, untreated infection may cause the urethra to narrow even more, making it difficult to completely empty the bladder. Recurrent urinary tract infections may also occur.

Other complications may include:

• Damage to the urinary tract system, including impairment of kidney function
• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)

See your health care provider if you have symptoms of chronic urethritis.

Images

Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

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Urethritis Symptoms

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Urethritis Prevention

Review Date: 09/07/2008
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. 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)