About this topic
The urethra is a tube at the bottom of the bladder. Urine flows out of this tube. If the urethra is sore or inflamed, it is urethritis. Chemicals from creams used for birth control or injury can cause this problem. Germs from an infection like gonorrhea may also cause this problem. ‚
With urethritis you may have pus from the vagina or penis. You may have burning pain when passing urine, belly pain, vaginal pain, and itching. ‚
Many men have urethritis but have no signs. Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water or water-based drinks every day. Do not include drinks with caffeine, like coffee or tea.
- Keep your genital area clean. Wash after passing urine. Wear clean underwear.
- Wipe from front to back to keep germs from going in your body.
- If this is from an infection spread by sex, you will need to tell everyone you have had sex with. They need to tell their doctor. Their doctor will run tests.
- If the infection is from sex, your doctor will check you for other infections. You may need to be treated for them as well.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Relieve itching
Will physical activity be limited?
You should avoid having sex until after you finish your treatment. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Narrowing of the urine tube
- Infection
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Always use a condom during sex.
- Avoid unprotected sex if you have urethritis.
- Have sex with only one partner who only has sex with you.
- Keep your genital area clean.
- Change your underwear every day.
- Use spermicides, soap, creams and other chemicals that are hypoallergenic or water based. Ask your doctor about what products are good for you.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Unusual genital discharge or bleeding
- Pain during sex
- Passing urine more often
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about urethritis.
- I can tell you what are good fluids for me to drink.
- I can tell you what may help me from getting this illness again.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, genital discharge, or pain or burning when passing urine.
Where can I learn more?
American Social Health Association ‚
http://www.ashastd.org/std-sti/ngu.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/kidney/recurrent_uti_infections.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚