Urethral syndrome is also known as urethritis or non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). Urethral syndrome can occur in men and women. However, today’s article will focus on female urethral syndrome.
Please click on the following link if you are interest in learning more about male urethral syndrome. Male urethral syndrome information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001475/
According to the Cleveland Clinic, ʺThe urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. In women, the urethra is about 1½ inches long and is just above the vagina.ʺ
When your urethra becomes inflamed and swollen, you may be suffering from urethral syndrome.
A virus or bacteria can cause urethral syndrome. Also, a sensitivity of certain contraceptives (spermicides) or injury to the urethra can cause urethral syndrome.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine said ʺThe same bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (E. coli) and some sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea) can lead to urethritis. Viral causes of urethritis include herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus.ʺ
Urethral syndrome can cause permanent damage to your urethra.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine website stated symptoms of urethral syndrome may include:
• Fever and chills
• Frequent or urgent urination
• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pain
• Burning pain while urinating
• Vaginal discharge
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM), acute urethral syndrome can be caused by other reasons so has also been called noninfectious cystitis. The UMM stated, ʺNoninfectious cystitis is irritation of the bladder that is not caused by a urinary tract infection.ʺ
Mostly women of childbearing age may suffer from this type of syndrome. For more information on acute urethral syndrome you can visit the following link: http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000514all.htm/
Tests to diagnose urethral syndrome include an abdominal and pelvic exam. As a precaution, your doctor may request one of the following tests:
• Urinalysis and urine cultures
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Pelvic ultrasound
• C-reactive protein test
• Tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other sexually transmitted diseases
• Pregnancy test
Treatment for female urethral syndrome includes antibiotics if you have an infection.
If you are being treated for urethral syndrome you should avoid sex, condom use, and use of spermicides. Also, your sexual partner will need to be treated if your urethral syndrome is caused by an infection.
Also, there is chronic urethral syndrome. This type of syndrome generally lasts for over six weeks. The U.S. National Library of Medicine stated, ʺChronic urethral syndrome also does not clear up after antibiotic treatment.ʺ Your doctor may have to prescribe other types of antibiotics to treat chronic urethral syndrome.
References:
Cystitis - noninfectious. University of Maryland Medical Center | Home. Retrieved November 17, 2011, from
http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000514all.htm.
Urethral Cancer. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved November 17, 2011, from http://www.my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/urethral_cancer/hic_urethral_cancer.aspx.
Urethritis - PubMed Health. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved November 17, 2011, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001475/.
Reviewed November 17, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith