Reasons for Urethritis
The most prevalent cause of urethritis is an infection caused by bacteria that infiltrate the urethra through the skin surrounding its opening. Common urethritis-causing bacteria include: (7)
Gonococcus causes gonorrhoea and is transmitted sexually.
Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for sexually transmitted chlamydia.
Bacteria inhabit the stool and its environs.
Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) can also induce urethritis. Urethritis is also caused by Trichomonas. This unicellular organism is transmitted via sexual contact.
In terms of sexually transmitted infections, chlamydia and gonorrhoea are typically contained within the urethra. The inflammation may also spread to a woman’s reproductive organs, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Occasionally, gonorrhoea and chlamydia can induce epididymitis, an infection of the epididymis, the tube that encases the testicles. Both epididymitis and PID can lead to infertility.
Caused by a woman’s urethral discharge
A urethral discharge may be indicative of various conditions. Infections caused by bacteria transmitted through sexual contact, hormonal changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle, and dietary and drug allergies are among the most prevalent.
Typical causes include:
Infection caused by gonococcus bacteria and transmitted through sexual contact. The disease is called gonococcal urethritis.
Less frequent causes:
An infection of the urethra can also be caused by other organisms, which are typically acquired during anal, oral, or vaginal intercourse. This condition is also known as nonspecific urethritis or urethritis not caused by gonococci.
Chlamydia trachomatis infection is frequently associated with gonococcal urethritis.
Sexual activity transmits the parasitic organism Trichomonas vaginalis.
Herpes simplex is a sexually transmissible infection caused by a virus.
A yeast infection can spread from the vagina to the urethra. E. coli, which is present in faeces and is readily transmitted from the urethra to the rectum, can enter the rectum through the urethra.
Causes that occur least frequently:
cutaneous irritants
Clothing that is too snug irritates the epidermis.
A surfactant, detergent, lotion, spermicide, and other similar products.
An intense or vigorous sexual encounter.
Poor sanitation.
Changes in hormones due to monthly variations in oestrogen levels. At certain instances, the urethral lining is thinner, making it more susceptible to irritation and infection.
Catheterization may irritate or injure the urethra, allowing microorganisms to enter the mucous membranes.
A diverticulum of the urethra is a cavity or pocket that forms on the exterior of the urethra. These pouches are filled with urine, but they do not drain correctly, resulting in the growth of bacteria that causes urethritis symptoms.
This list contains no medical advice and may not accurately describe your condition.
Definition of male urethritis
Gonococcal urethritis is an infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is a condition induced by organisms other than Neisseria gonorrhoeae and non-infectious agents.
Recurrent or persistent urethritis is present in 10% to 20% of NGU cases.
Non-gonococcal urethritis causes
Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium are the most frequently implicated organisms. Chlamydia and Mycoplasma genitalium are more prevalent in younger patients with nongonococcal urethritis (although the association with M. genitalium is not as robust), as well as in patients with dysuria and/or urethral discharge.
Typically, both organisms do not coexist in the same individual with NGU, but up to 10% of men have been diagnosed with dual infections, according to some studies.
Men with urethral discharge have a higher prevalence of bacteria than those without.
Thirty to eighty percent of the time, neither C. trachomatis nor M. genitalium are detected in patients with NGU. The likelihood of pathogen-negative NGU increases with age and the absence of urethritis symptoms.
Trichomonas vaginalis appears to be uncommon in the United Kingdom and more prevalent among ethnic groups of colour. Men over the age of 30 are more likely to experience vaginalis isolation, which is not always symptomatic.
NGU has been inconclusively linked to ureaplasmas. In earlier investigations, Ureaplasma urealyticum (biovar 2) and Ureaplasma parvum (biovar 1) were not distinguished. It is becoming increasingly clear that only U. urealyticum (biovar 2) poses a significant hazard to men’s health, and not U. parvum. 5-10% of instances of acute NGU may be caused by U. urealyticum.
A solitary study suggests that the incidence of urinary tract infections may reach as high as 6.4%.
Approximately 2% to 4% of symptomatic patients have adenoviruses, which are frequently associated with conjunctivitis.
Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 are uncommon causes of NGU (2%-3%).
Neisseria meningitides, Epstein Barr virus, Candida, Haemophilus spp., urethral strictures, and foreign bodies have been reported in extremely rare cases and may account for a small proportion of NGUs.
The aetiology of NGU caused by organism-negative bacteria (also known as idiopathic urethritis) is unknown and was recently reviewed. There are almost certainly non-infectious cases, but there are currently no methods for distinguishing them.
Causes of recurrent or persistent urethritis
It is probable that causes are multifactorial, but not always identifiable. However, tetracycline-resistant U. urealyticum, M. genitalium (20%-40% of cases), and T. vaginalis may be present.
The study of epidemiology
In the United Kingdom, urethritis is the most prevalent genitourinary medicine (GUM) condition diagnosed and treated in men. More than 80,000 cases are diagnosed annually. Gonococcal urethritis is not as prevalent as NGU. The most prevalent age range for chlamydia is 15 to 24 years. It is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United Kingdom. In 2009, 217,570 new cases were identified in any clinical setting. The number increased by 7% compared to 2008. (8)
To have Gonorrhoea:
In 2013, according to GUM clinics in England, 29,291 cases of gonorrhoea were identified. This represents a 15% increase over 2012 levels. The prevalence of gonorrhoea has steadily increased over the past decade, particularly among males.
The number of men who have sexual relations with other men (MSM) has increased disproportionately. In 2013, MSM accounted for 63% of gonorrhoea diagnoses, a 26% increase from the previous year. It was believed that a combination of more males coming forward and an increase in sexually unsafe behaviour led to the increase in testing.
Using new diagnostic techniques, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for rectal and pharyngeal has also enhanced detection rates.
Gonorrhoea is more prevalent in adolescents. In 2013, 56% of gonorrhoea cases (8,122/14,647) involved heterosexual males aged 15 to 24.
