What is URETHRITIS?
Urethritis is a condition in which the urethra, or tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, becomes irritated and inflamed. The male urethra also receives sperm.
Urinary pain and an increased desire to pee are common symptoms of urethritis. The most common cause of urethritis is bacterial infection.
Transmission
Most episodes of urethritis are caused by infection by bacteria that enter the urethra from the skin around the urethra's opening. Bacteria that commonly cause urethritis include:
- Gonococcus, which is sexually transmitted and causes gonorrhea.
- Chlamydia trachomatis, which is sexually transmitted and causes chlamydia.
- Bacteria in and around stool.
The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) can also cause urethritis. Trichomonas is another cause of urethritis. It is a single-celled organism that is sexually transmitted.
Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia are usually confined to the urethra. But they may extend into women's reproductive organs, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
In men, gonorrhea and chlamydia sometimes cause epididymitis, an infection of the epididymis, a tube on the outside of the testes. Both PID and epididymitis can lead to infertility.
Prevention
Many bacteria that cause urethritis can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. As a result, practicing safe sex is a critical preventative measure. The following suggestions can assist you in lowering your risk:
- Intercourse with many partners should be avoided.
- When you have sex, always use condoms
- Get tested on a regular basis.
- Others should be protected. If you find out you have a STI, tell people who could be at risk of contracting it.