Where is urethra pain

It is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Sometimes, the urethra can become inflamed and painful.

In this article, we outline the possible causes of urethra pain and provide information on treatment options. A urinary tract infection UTI can affect any part of the urinary system, which includes:. Usually, a UTI occurs when bacteria from the colon or rectum enter the urethra.

Here, they may cause inflammation as the pain in the tries to fight off the infection. Once inside the urethra, bacteria may multiply and travel up to the bladder.

Doctors sometimes refer to this as bacterial cystitis. In most cases, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat a UTI. To learn more about home remedies for UTIs, click here. Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra. It usually results from a bacterial or viral infection. There are two types of urethritis, which are called gonococcal urethritis GU and nongonococcal urethritis NGU.

The same bacteria that cause gonorrhea are responsible for GU, while NGU usually occurs due to chlamydia. Other causes of NGU include:. Antibiotics are the standard treatment for bacterial causes of urethritis. If the underlying cause is a sexually transmitted infection , people should avoid having sex until they and any affected partners have completed antibiotic treatment.

Doctors will advise people with urethral syndrome to avoid suspected irritants. Treatment options may include pain-relieving medications and antispasmodics to reduce bladder spasms. A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra, which can restrict urine flow from the bladder. It usually involves scar tissue formation, which typically occurs due to an infection, other inflammation, or injury. A doctor may carry out tests, such as urine flow testing and ultrasound imaging, to determine the position and severity of the stricture.

For minor strictures, a doctor may suggest a wait-and-see approach. For moderate or severe cases, they may recommend a surgical technique called dilation, which involves stretching the area of stricture.

Obstructive uropathy is a condition in which urine is unable to flow through the urinary tract due to a blockage in part of the urinary system. This blockage causes urine to flow backward through the system, possibly damaging one or both kidneys.

A very small kidney stone may move through the urinary tract without causing symptoms, but larger kidney stones can cause:.

The best treatment for a kidney stone depends on several factors, including its size, the severity of symptoms, and whether it is blocking the urinary tract. A doctor may request blood, urine, and imaging tests to determine the best course of treatment. If the stones are small, a doctor may advise taking a pain-relieving medication and drinking plenty of fluids to dilute the urine and flush the stones out.

Pelvic inflammatory disease PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs. PID occurs when a bacterial infection that starts in the vagina or cervix moves up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. PID can cause scarring of the reproductive organs. Bacteria are the most common causes. The same bacteria that can cause bladder and kidney infections can also infect the lining of the urethra.

Bacteria found naturally in the genital area may also cause urethritis if they enter the urinary tract. Pathogens are the biological agents that cause illness. The same pathogens that cause STIs can also cause urethritis. These include the bacteria that cause gonorrhea and chlamydia and the parasite that causes trichomoniasis.

There are also viruses that can lead to the development of urethritis. There are different types of urethritis, classified by the cause of the inflammation. They are gonococcal urethritis and nongonococcal urethritis. Gonococcal urethritis is caused by the same bacterium that causes the STI gonorrhea.

It accounts for 20 percent of cases of urethritis. Nongonococcal urethritis is urethritis caused by other infections that are not gonorrhea. Chlamydia is a common cause of nongonococcal urethritis, with other STIs also being a probable culprit. It is possible, however, for irritation unrelated to STIs to occur. These causes can include injury, such as from a catheter , or other kinds of genital trauma.

This is especially true in women. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. This can help them to make a diagnosis. They may order tests to analyze a urine sample or a swab taken from the urethra or vaginal area.

If the doctor suspects a specific STI, there will likely be a test that can allow the doctor to confirm or rule out that potential diagnosis. Depending on your doctor and their lab, you can get test results back in as soon as a few days. This allows them to start you on treatment as soon as possible, and to let you know whether your partner needs to be tested and treated, too. Treatment for urethritis typically includes a course of either antibiotics or antiviral medication.

Some common treatments for urethritis include:. This prevents the spread of the STI and reinfection. You may see improvement in your symptoms just a few days after beginning treatment. You should still finish out your prescription as recommended by your doctor, or the infection could come become worse. Those with urethritis should wait one week once they are completely finished with their prescription and their partner has finished treatment before resuming sexual activity.

Medication can often treat urethritis quickly. If the infection goes untreated, however, the effects can be lasting and quite serious. For example, the infection may spread to other parts of the urinary tract, including the ureters, kidneys, and bladder.

These infections can be painful on their own. While they can be treated with more intensive rounds of antibiotics, they can cause damage to the organs if left untreated for too long. It was hard to understand. It didn't answer any of my questions.

I still don't know what to do next. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. Patient Education. Urethritis in Women Urethritis occurs when the urethra is red and swollen inflamed.

What causes urethritis? How is urethritis diagnosed? You may also have 1 or more of the following tests: Urine test. Urine samples are taken and checked for problems. Blood test. A blood sample is taken and checked for problems. How is urethritis treated?

When to call your healthcare provider Call the healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following: Fever of Yes No. Tell us more. Last question: How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself? Not at all A little Somewhat Quite a bit Extremely.