In men, urine passes through the urethra from the bladder to the opening of the penis. But sometimes, due to certain factors, the tube might develop inflammation and cause a condition known as Urethritis.
When this happens, affected individuals feel a frequent urge to urinate. But they also feel immense, sharp, and tingling pain as long as the process lasts. In this piece, we’ll explain what Urethritis is, and why it happens. Consult an online doctor if you have such symptoms.
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Are Urethritis and UTI the same?
While people generally believe so, that’s not the case. Urethritis is a condition that signifies the inflammation of the urethra; a tube that carries urine and semen to the opening of the penis. A urinary tract infection, on the other hand, means there’s an infection in the urinary tract. Yes, they do have similar symptoms, but the treatment plans for both conditions vary.
What are the Symptoms of Urethritis?
Although this condition affects women too, the symptoms are quite different. Where women have a frequent urge to urinate, men experience one or all of the following symptoms:
- Experiencing a burning sensation during urination
- An intense urge to itch due to burning near the penal opening.
- Discharging blood during an orgasm or urination
- A foul-smelling discharge from the opening of the reproductive organ
What Causes Urethritis?
CDC believes three types of bacteria affect the organ: they are Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia Trachomatis, and Mycoplasma Genitalium.
The major factor that causes Urethritis in men is either a bacterial or viral infection. These bacterial infections also affect the bladder and kidneys in addition to infecting the lining of the urethra. The bacteria that are found naturally in the genital area might cause Urethritis too. These bacteria and viruses also cause sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Some viruses, including the human papillomavirus, and herpes simplex virus often cause Urethritis too.
What Are the Types of Urethritis?
There are different types of Urethritis, including Gonococcal Urethritis and Non-gonococcal Urethritis. The former type is responsible for 20% of the cases of Urethritis, and also causes the purulent urethral discharge.
On the other hand, the latter type of Urethritis usually develops when unsuspecting individuals have intercourse with a person with a sexually transmitted disease (other than Gonorrhea). But Non-gonococcal Urethritis isn’t limited to sexual activities—injuries, phimosis, and catheterization might also cause the disease.
Forceful or frequent catheterization may also lead to Urethritis in men. This is more likely to happen when the catheter is made of latex, and is left inside for an extended period.
Are There Any Risk Factors?
While using your doctor’s prescription may help you with the condition, letting it go untreated might not be the best decision that you make. We say this because the infection might spread to other places and cause you even more pain and stress. The kidneys, bladder, and ureters, for instance, are the parts that are likely to get severe inflammation and suffer damage.
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Often, doctors prescribe antibiotics to help with the condition. They aim is to get rid of the infection ASAP because there’s a possibility that your sex drive will suffer due to pain and inflammation. In women, pelvic pain can also result in infertility and the development of pelvic inflammatory disease.
On the other hand, men are likely to have a prostate gland infection. For them, urination might turn even more painful due to the narrowing of the urethra.
Every year, around 4 million Americans develop Urethritis, but not all of them opt to get treatment. So, to put it in a nutshell, getting treatment for Urethritis is crucial before it becomes more painful than it already is—because, if you leave it untreated, it might lead to sepsis, which can become fatal. Sepsis affects the blood flow to vital organs, such as the brain, kidneys, and heart. While mild sepsis is treatable, the mortality rate for severe shock remains an alarming 40%.
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Get Help for Urethritis
To book an appointment with a virtual doctor, you need to visit TelMDCare’s website. Their healthcare professionals provide you with the treatment you deserve at an affordable cost. You might be too exhausted to visit a doctor in person, and that’s why online consultations offer convenience.
Get in touch with the urgent care doctors and telemedicine doctors at TelMDCare and discuss your medical condition with them today! They also offer treatment plans for STDs, erectile dysfunction, and urinary tract infection—call now!
About the Author
Brent A. is a certified medical professional, who has been helping patients with erectile dysfunction, sexually transmitted diseases, and vaginal yeast infection. He’s currently writing a book on debunking sexual health myths, set to release soon.
