Urethritis

When To Call A Professional

Men should call a doctor if they notice an abnormal discharge from the penis. Women should seek medical attention if they develop an unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding or pain during intercourse. Both men and women should call a doctor if they start urinating more frequently, or if urination causes pain or a burning discomfort, especially if fever or chills occur. Also call your doctor if you have participated in sexual activity with someone who has gonorrhea or chlamydia, especially if you are pregnant.

Men and women who have sex with multiple partners should schedule a routine physical examination every year, even if they have no symptoms of STIs. In women, this physical examination should include a pelvic exam.

Prognosis

If gonococcal urethritis is diagnosed and treated quickly and correctly, there usually is complete recovery. Incomplete recovery or no treatment can lead to advanced pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which can result in scarring that can lead to fertility problems. Full antibiotic treatment also cures chlamydia, and can prevent complications. If untreated, chlamydia infections in men can cause swollen and tender testicles.

Urethritis caused by mechanical injury or irritating chemicals will almost always go away once the offending problem is taken care of.

Additional Info

American Foundation for Urologic Disease 1128 North Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: (410) 468-1800 Toll-Free: (800) 242-2383 Fax: (410) 468-1808 http://www.afud.org/

American Urological Association 1000 Corporate Blvd. Linthicum, MD 21090 Phone: (410) 689-3700 Toll-Free (U.S. only): (866) 746-4282 Fax: (410) 689-3800 http://www.urologyhealth.org/

American Social Health Association P.O. Box 13827 100 Capitol Dr. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3827 Phone: (919) 361-8400 Fax: (919) 361-8425 http://www.ashastd.org/

CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention P.O. Box 6003 Rockville, MD 20849-6003 Toll-Free: (800) 458-5231 Fax: (888) 282-7681 TTY: (800) 243-7012 http://www.cdcnpin.org/