What is urethritis
The urethra is lined with a mucous membrane, which becomes inflamed when ingested by microorganisms or exposed to irritating factors. Swelling, redness and discharge appear, and the passage of urine through the inflamed mucosa is accompanied by a burning sensation.
Urethritis is usually divided into gonococcal, caused by gonococcus, and non-gonococcal, which is most often associated with chlamydia, mycoplasma genitalium, trichomonas, as well as opportunistic flora. Separately, non-infectious urethritis is distinguished - traumatic, allergic, chemical.
In men, urethritis is brighter and more noticeable due to the long urethra. In women, symptoms are often scant and easily mistaken for cystitis, so the disease is often detected later.
Symptoms
- Burning, stinging and itching when urinating
- Discharge from the urethra: mucous, mucopurulent or profuse purulent
- Redness and stickiness of the external opening of the urethra in the morning
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Discomfort and itching in the urethra outside of urination
- Cloudiness of the first portion of urine
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse
- In women - scanty discharge, burning, often regarded as cystitis
- Sometimes - complete absence of symptoms while remaining infectious
Reasons
- Gonococcus - causes the most vivid picture with profuse purulent discharge
- Chlamydia trachomatis is a common cause of non-gonococcal urethritis, often asymptomatic
- Mycoplasma genitalium
- Trichomonas
- Ureaplasma and other opportunistic flora under certain conditions
- Herpes simplex virus
- Intestinal and coccal flora
- Traumatic causes: catheterization, endoscopy, foreign bodies
- Chemical and allergic factors: antiseptics, hygiene products, lubricants, spermicides
- Stone passing through the urethra
What are the dangers of untreated urethritis?
- Prostatitis and vesiculitis in men
- Epididymitis and orchitis with risk of impaired fertility
- Ascending infection with the development of cystitis and pyelonephritis
- Cicatricial urethral stricture is one of the most serious long-term consequences
- Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs and tubal infertility in women
- Reactive arthritis affecting joints and eyes
- Infection of a partner and transmission of infection to a child during childbirth
Diagnostics
- Urethral smear with microscopy - rapid assessment of inflammation and detection of gonococcus
- PCR for chlamydia, mycoplasma genitalium, gonococcus, trichomonas
- Culture of discharge with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics
- General urine analysis and two-glass test
- Screening for other sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, HIV, hepatitis
- Ultrasound of the prostate and scrotum if complications are suspected
- Sexual partner examination
An important rule of thumb: it is advisable to get tested before starting antibiotics. After the first pill, the pathogen may not be identified, and treatment will have to be selected blindly.
Treatment
- Antibacterial therapy selected for a specific pathogen; regimens for gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis are fundamentally different
- Simultaneous treatment of the sexual partner is a prerequisite, otherwise re-infection will occur
- Abstain from sexual intercourse during treatment or use a condom
- Control tests after a period set by the doctor - the cure is confirmed in the laboratory, and not by how you feel
- Avoiding alcohol and spicy foods during treatment
- Drink plenty of fluids
- For non-infectious urethritis - elimination of the irritating factor
- Treatment of complications: prostatitis, epididymitis, urethral stricture
Prevention
- Using a condom during casual contact
- Regular screening for sexually transmitted infections when changing partners
- Joint examination and treatment of partners
- Avoiding self-administration of antibiotics
- Be careful with antiseptics and aggressive hygiene products
- Maintaining asepsis during medical procedures
- Adequate fluid intake
Where is urethritis treated in Tashkent
For an accurate diagnosis, you need a laboratory with PCR diagnostics and culture, and in case of complications, ultrasound of the prostate and scrotum and the possibility of urological treatment.
In Tashkent, examination and treatment of urethritis, as well as its complications, including urethral stricture, are carried out at the UROLOGIC COMPLEX medical center and at the Tashkent Medical Park clinic.
Try to come to your appointment before you start taking any antibiotics and warn your partner about the need for examination - this is the key to a quick and permanent cure. Clinic contacts are below.
