STI Series
HealthLinkBC File #08b, October 2011
Urethritis
- What is urethritis?
- How is it spread?
- What are the symptoms?
- What are the complications?
- What is the treatment?
- Should I be tested for other sexually transmitted infections?
- Ways to reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection
EnglishWhat is Nongonococcal Urethritis?
Urethritis is an infection of the male urethra, or the tube in the penis that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
To find out if you have urethritis, you must be examined by a doctor or nurse and have lab tests completed.
Urethritis is most commonly caused by a bacterial infection, but it may also be caused by a virus. Two of the bacterial causes, gonorrhea and chlamydia, can lead to complications in men and women. For more information, see HealthLink BC Files #08a Gonorrhea and #08l Chlamydia
How is it spread?
Urethritis can be spread by having sex without a condom with someone who has a viral or bacterial infection that is able to cause urethritis.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms in men may include a burning feeling when urinating, itching inside the urethra, or a clear to creamy yellow coloured fluid discharge from the urethra.
Some men with urethritis may not notice symptoms.
What are the complications?
Urethritis that is caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is not treated can lead to pain and swelling in one or both testicles and may cause infertility.
Some of potential complications of untreated urethritis include:
- Swelling and pain of one or both testicles, also known as Epididymitis
- Infertility
- Reactive Arthritis
In addition, when a male sexual partner has urethritis, the bacteria or virus that causes the infection may also lead to complications in women.
What is the treatment?
When urethritis is caused by bacteria it may be treated with antibiotic pills. You must take all of your antibiotic pills as directed. Follow the instructions for taking the treatment carefully and finish all the pills. It is important that your sexual partners receive treatment as well. To prevent re-infection, do not have sex until after you and your partners have finished taking all of the medication.
Should I be tested for other sexually transmitted infections?
If you have different sexual partners or if your partner has different partners, you should be tested for other sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV. The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of getting an STI. You should also consider getting vaccine shots to help prevent hepatitis B infection, which is also transmitted sexually and through sharing needles or drug-using equipment.
Ways to reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection
- The more partners you have, the more likely you are to be exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.
- To help protect yourself and your partner(s) from a sexually transmitted infection (STI), use a condom during any vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
- Latex and polyurethane male and female condoms help prevent the spread of many sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
- A new condom must be used each time you have sex.
- If a condom breaks, a pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection may occur. If a condom breaks during sex and you are concerned, talk to your health care provider.
- Use only water-based lubricants with male latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, lotion or baby oil, can weaken and destroy latex.
- Store latex condoms at room temperature (not too hot and not too cold) and check the expiry date on the condom package.
- Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 (N-9) may increase the risk of infection/transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and it is not recommended to prevent HIV or these infections.
- The more partners you have, the more likely you are to be exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.
- To help protect yourself and your partner(s) from a sexually transmitted infection (STI), use a condom during any vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
- Latex and polyurethane male and female condoms help prevent the spread of many sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
- A new condom must be used each time you have sex.
- If a condom breaks, a pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection may occur. If a condom breaks during sex and you are concerned, talk to your health care provider.
- Use only water-based lubricants with male latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, lotion or baby oil, can weaken and destroy latex.
- Store latex condoms at room temperature (not too hot and not too cold) and check the expiry date on the condom package.
- Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 (N-9) may increase the risk of infection/transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and it is not recommended to prevent HIV or these infections.
For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #08o Condoms Help Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
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