Urethritis

Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra, the urine passage inside the penis.

The most common cause is infection with chlamydia, gonorrhoea or mycoplasma genitalium. There are other causes including viral infections and non-infectious causes.

Some cases of urethritis have no identifiable cause.

Symptoms may include:

• discomfort passing urine
• itching, tingling, burning or irritation inside the penis
• discharge from the penis
• redness in the urethral opening

Urethritis is diagnosed by examination by your doctor or nurse and can be confirmed by a urine or swab test.

Urethritis may be treated with antibiotics.

Sexual partners should be tested for STIs.

• Symptoms may take some time to get better but if your symptoms persist or get worse, please contact your sexual health clinic or local doctor.