Urethritis is inflammation and swelling of the urethra (tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body). It causes pain or difficulty when urinating. The main causes of urethritis are bacteria, virus or chemical irritant.

Urethritis and urinary tract infection (UTI) are totally different conditions. Urethritis is something related to urethra only whereas UTI usually affects the whole of the urinary tract. It can be transmitted through unprotected sex. A woman with vaginal infection can pass it on to a male partner.

Both men and women can develop urethritis. Symptoms in men and women are different.

For women, symptoms include:

• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Pelvic and abdominal pain
• Pain with intercourse
• Frequent or urgent urination
• Fever and chills
• Stomach pain
• Itching

Symptoms in men include:

• Blood in urine or semen
• Painful ejaculation
• Penile discharge
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Itching, tenderness, or swelling in the penis
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area
• Sometimes fever

What are risk factors of urethritis?

People who are more likely to have risk of urethritis include:

• Person having a history of sexually transmitted diseases
• Person engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour

What is the treatment for urethritis?

Your doctor may prescribe medications like antibiotics to treat the cause of the urethritis and to prevent the spread of infection.

To know in detail about the treatment, call Dr. Mangesh Patil, well known urologist in Mumbai. He is trained in Endourology and Robotic Surgery, with professional experience of more than 10 years. He is also one of the Best Onco surgeon in Mumbai dealing with Urological cancers.

How can I prevent urethritis?

Bacteria causing urethritis can get passed to another person through sexual contact. Therefore, it is always better to practice safe sex.

The tips below can help reduce your risk:

• Avoid having intercourse with multiple partners.
• Get tested regularly.
• Drink sufficient water and make sure you urinate shortly after intercourse.
• Avoid acidic foods.
• Avoid exposure to spermicides