The term "urethritis" refers to the inflammatory process localized in the urethra. It begins to develop against the background of vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms in the human body. Most often, the first signs of urethritis appear after unprotected sexual contact with barrier contraceptives. In most cases, the symptoms of the disease are also a manifestation of STDs. According to statistics, women are more prone to pathology. This is due to the anatomical structure of their urethra. However, signs of urethritis can appear in women and men, and even in young children. Without timely treatment, the ailment becomes chronic, extremely difficult to treat.
Causes
The development of the inflammatory process starts when the latter is infected. Urethritis may have a specific or non-specific form.
In the first case, the cause is the pathology that is transmitted through sexual contact:
- gonorrhea;
- trichomoniasis;
- herpes;
- urogenital mycoplasmosis;
- chlamydia.
The causative agents of nonspecific urethritis can be staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli and other bacteria.
These forms of the disease require various treatments. The treatment regimen for specific urethritis implies an individual approach. Treatment of a non-specific form is the same in all cases.
Signs of urethritis can also appear under the influence of various provoking factors:
- Genital injury, which usually occurs during sexual intercourse.
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Frequent change of sexual partners.
- Unbalanced diet.
- Staying long under stress.
- Constant overwork.
- Deficiency of vitamins and other vital substances.
Anatomically, the urethra is in close proximity to the anus. The latter is constantly a source of pathogenic microorganisms that can move freely. However, signs of urethritis do not always occur when microbes enter the urethra. An important condition for the development of pathology is a significant weakening of the body's defenses.
Normally, the immune system interferes with the functioning of bacteria and germs. Its weakening occurs under the influence of many different adverse factors. As a result, the protective system is not able to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, due to which women and men develop signs of urethritis.
Symptoms in adults
The first clinical manifestations make themselves felt a few hours or days after the onset of the inflammatory process. Symptoms and signs of urethritis in men and women are slightly different.
Representatives of the stronger sex are characterized by the following clinical manifestations:
- A burning sensation that appears during urination. Moreover, the severity of discomfort in men is stronger. This is due to anatomical features.
- Painful sensations that occur during urination.
- Adhesion of the edges of the external opening of the urethra. This usually happens in the morning.
- Discharge from the urethra. They may be purulent or contain blood particles. Most often, a symptom of urethritis (a photo of the foci of pathology is schematically presented below) is a discharge of yellow or blue-green. However, they have an extremely unpleasant odor.
Urethritis is an insidious disease. In some cases, the inflammatory process is asymptomatic. But at the same time, the disease progresses. As a result, involvement of nearby organs in the pathological process occurs. The main complications are: pyelonephritis, prostatitis, cystitis.
In women, the disease causes other symptoms. In this regard, they do not immediately understand what it is: cystitis, urethritis, or signs of pregnancy. However, it is worth noting that the gestation period is normally not accompanied by similar clinical manifestations.
Signs of urethritis in women:
- Discharges that differ from the usual color and smell. Hue may vary depending on the type of pathogen. Most often, the discharge is yellow-white and green. Often in them you can see streaks of blood. They also have an extremely unpleasant odor.
- Pain in the lower abdomen. They are permanent, but their severity is weak.
- Itching and burning in the area of the external opening of the urethra. In addition, it turns red in the presence of pathology.
During the period of hormonal surges (for example, with menopause) in women, the symptoms of urethritis are the same. As a rule, the first alarming signs appear, after a few days or even hours, after infection. Most likely they occur after unprotected sexual contact.
Regardless of the severity of symptoms, treatment of urethritis cannot be delayed. This is due to the fact that ignoring the problem can lead to the fact that adjacent organs will be involved in the pathological process. The most commonly diagnosed complications in women: cystitis, a violation of the vaginal microflora. The latter, in turn, is the cause of the development of various diseases.
Common signs and symptoms of urethritis:
- Painful sensations.
- Discharge other than normal.
- Itching and burning during urination.
In men with untimely treatment of urethritis, there are signs of prostatitis. In women, the Bartholin glands are involved in the pathological process. Against the background of the course of the disease, existing chronic diseases worsen.
Signs in children
It is extremely rare that urethritis is diagnosed in infants. The cause of the disease may be the following pathological conditions:
- Allergic reactions.
- Oncology.
- Urolithiasis disease.
- Installation of a catheter for the purpose of any medical procedures.
- Hyperplasia
In addition, in children signs of urethritis may appear against the background of insufficient hygiene, wearing tight underwear made of synthetic materials, improper washing, general hypothermia. Also, the cause is often cosmetics containing a large number of harmful components for babies.
Common symptoms of urethritis in children:
- Burning and itching in the genital area.
- Pain during urination.
- Elevated body temperature (this warning sign does not appear in all cases).
- Redness of the external outlet of the urethra.
Clinical manifestations of urethritis in boys:
- The presence of blood streaks in urine.
- Frequent urination.
- Purulent discharge from the urethra.
- Urine discoloration. Urine becomes dark and cloudy.
In girls, with the development of the inflammatory process, the following symptoms appear:
- Itching of the external genitalia.
- Frequent urination.
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Cramps in the urethra.
In adolescent children, the clinical manifestations are the same as in young children. However, the former tolerate the disease easier. Lethargy, fatigue and high body temperature in most cases disturb children only in the first years of life.
Regardless of the severity of symptoms, treatment of urethritis cannot be delayed. This threatens the development of various complications. A child who experiences pain during an act of urination begins to consciously refuse to drink, and also restrain urge. The most harmless consequence is incontinence.
Most often, in the absence of treatment or with incorrect therapy, urethritis in a short time passes into a chronic form. She is extremely difficult to treat and regularly reminds herself of painful sensations and other unpleasant symptoms. Other possible complications: vaginitis, cystitis, infertility, renal failure. In addition, against the background of the course of the inflammatory process, the sensitivity of the genitourinary system to infections is further reduced.
Signs of chronic urethritis
The transition to this form is very fast. The advanced stage is characterized by the presence of a persisting pathological process in which the urethra is involved. Due to the anatomical features, the signs of chronic urethritis in men are most intense.
The transition to the advanced stage occurs after about 1 month. Chronic urethritis is characterized by a constant alternation of stages of remissions and relapses. In the absence of treatment, adjacent organs begin to be involved in the pathological process. As a result, a person's quality of life is significantly impaired.
The disease proceeding in this form is insidious. In some people, the symptoms of chronic urethritis are so erased that patients begin to believe that they have recovered. In fact, pathology continues to progress and affect other internal organs.
In men, the chronic form of the disease has the following symptoms:
- Burning and itching.
- Pain during urination.
- The first portion of urine is very muddy.
- Isolation of mucous secretion from the urethra.
- Swelling of local tissues.
- Redness of the external outlet of the urethra.
- Feeling of heaviness in the genitals.
- Frequent and false urge to urinate.
- The presence of streaks of blood in the seminal fluid.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
During an exacerbation, a moderate amount of mucous secretion is secreted from the urethra. Sometimes pus begins to be squeezed out. The discharge feels like glue to the touch, and therefore they often contribute to the adhesion of the walls of the urethra.
The lack of treatment leads to phimosis, balatitis, epididymitis, vesiculitis, erectile dysfunction, prostatitis, and couperitis.
In women, the urethra is shorter and wider, and therefore their clinical manifestations are less pronounced than in men. In some cases, the chronic form is completely asymptomatic.
Signs of urethritis in women:
- Pain at rest.
- Purulent discharge.
- Burning, itching, and pain that occurs during urination.
- Redness of the external opening of the channel.
Ignoring the problem leads to the fact that the pathological process spreads to other organs. Most often, women are diagnosed with cystitis and pyelonephritis. In advanced cases, the urethra is deformed. The most dangerous complication is the transition of urethritis to a stage where even the most potent medicines are powerless.
Classification
Depending on the mechanism of development, the disease can be primary or secondary. In other words, the disease occurs directly in the urethra or pathogenic microorganisms enter it from the focus of the pathology located in another organ.
The inflammatory process can be localized on one wall. In such situations, doctors divide it into front and rear. If inflammation affects the entire urethra, it is customary to talk about total urethritis.
The specific form of the disease can have the following types: herpetic, gonorrheal, trichomonas, candidiasis, chlamydia.
Diagnostics
If you experience the first alarming symptoms, you must consult a urologist or gynecologist. The first assesses the severity of signs of urethritis in men. This specialist is also involved in his treatment. The gynecologist also prescribes a comprehensive examination for women. Based on their results, the doctor draws up the most effective treatment regimen.
Diagnosis of urethritis includes the following studies:
- Bacteriological smear culture. Using this laboratory analysis, it is possible to identify the pathogen and assess the degree of its sensitivity to antibiotics.
- PCR Biological material is also a urological smear. PCR is a modern diagnostic method that allows you to accurately and in a short time to establish the type of pathogenic microorganism.
- Analysis of urine. With the help of this study, it is possible to assess the degree of damage to the channel.
- Smear microscopy. In the process of analysis, biological material is studied at the cellular level.
- Urethroscopy This is an instrumental diagnostic method, the essence of which is to examine the walls of the channel under magnification. The study is not carried out in the acute period of the disease.
- Ultrasound Using this method, the doctor can assess the severity of the inflammatory process and assess the degree of its negative impact on adjacent organs.
- Urethrography This term refers to an X-ray examination. A series of images is taken after a contrast agent is introduced into the urethra.
Based on the diagnostic results, the doctor draws up the most effective treatment regimen.
Treatment
All activities aimed at getting rid of the disease are carried out at home. Hospitalization in a hospital is indicated only for seriously ill patients.
General principles for the treatment of urethritis:
- Temporary refusal of sexual contacts.
- Taking medications.
- Refusal to use alcohol-containing drinks.
- Exclusion from the diet of food that irritates the urethra (spicy and spicy foods).
- Reception of immunomodulators (if necessary).
- Local treatment.
Regardless of the severity of the symptoms, treatment of urethritis in women and men without fail involves taking antibiotics. The choice of drug is carried out by a doctor based on the results of laboratory diagnostics. An incorrectly selected remedy can provoke the development of complications. In addition, its reception will not lead to a positive result.
Antibiotics can be used in any form (rectal and vaginal suppositories, injections, tablets). It depends on the severity of the disease and the symptoms that are present. Drugs for the treatment of urethritis:
- Doxycycline.
- Ceftriaxone.
- "Erythromycin."
- Clarithromycin.
- "Tetracycline."
- Preparations of the sulfonamides and fluoroquinolones group.
Specific urethritis requires an individual approach to therapy. Most often, doctors prescribe the following antibiotics to treat this type of ailment:
- Oletetrin.
- Spiramycin.
- "Cefodizim."
- Doxycycline.
- "Erythromycin."
- Ceftriaxone.
- Cefotaxime.
- "Cefoxitin."
- "Rifampicin."
- Spectinomycin.
With gonorrhea urethritis , the following agents are effective:
- Miramistin.
- Tsidipol.
- "Nitazole."
- "Metronidazole".
- "Furazolidone."
- "Tinidazole".
- "Natamycin."
- "Chlorhexidine."
The following drugs are prescribed for the treatment of candidal urethritis :
- Amphotericin.
- “Levorin.
- "Nystatin."
- "Clotrimazole."
- "Natamycin."
The disease, the causative agent of which is chlamydia, is treated with Doxycycline, Chloramphenicol and fluoroquinolones. The presence of mycoplasma requires taking "Tetracycline." Urethritis caused by herpes is treated with Penciclovir, Acyclovir, Ganciclovir, and Ribavirin.
Therapy of urethritis in children also begins with determining the type of pathogen. Prior to its discovery and identification, the child is prescribed a Monural and a Hexicon. This is necessary to prevent the development of microbial infection.
The antibiotic for the treatment of specific urethritis is selected by the doctor strictly based on the diagnostic results. Therapy of a non-specific form in most cases involves taking Monural and using Miramistin. The first is a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
"Monural" is available in the form of a powder, before taking it must be diluted in water according to the attached instructions. The tool has shown a high degree of effectiveness in relation to both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogenic microorganisms. The active components of the drug are absorbed in the intestine, then they enter the urethra through the kidneys unchanged. Due to this, the product has a good therapeutic effect.
Miramistin is an antiseptic. The tool is sold in the form of a ready-made solution. It can be used for douching or to moisten tampons in it.
Folk methods
Regardless of the severity of the symptoms, treatment of urethritis in women and men cannot be delayed. It is permissible to use non-traditional methods, but their use does not exclude the need to seek qualified medical help. In addition, it is impossible to completely get rid of the disease using folk methods. Using recipes can only reduce the intensity of clinical manifestations and slightly improve the quality of life.
The most effective folk methods:
- Grind oak bark. Take 10 g of the product and pour 200 ml of boiling water over it. Close the container tightly, wrap it with a towel and let it brew for 1 hour. After the specified time, pour the product into the pan. Then the infusion must be brought to a boil. After that, you need to reduce the fire to a minimum and leave the product to languish for 15 minutes. Then the broth must be filtered. The resulting product can be used as lotions or added to the bath.
- Grind chamomile flowers. Take 10 g of the plant, pour it with 1 liter of boiling water. The container with the resulting liquid must be put in a water bath for 10 minutes. After this time, the broth must be filtered and then poured into the basin. Next, the product must be diluted with warm water. 20 . . , , , , .
- . Take 2 tbsp. l 200 . 3 . . .
- . Take 3 tbsp. l 200 . Let it brew for 1 hour. . . 30 .
- Pour some leaves of lingonberry with boiling water. Let it brew for several minutes. The resulting product is taken orally instead of tea. Lingonberry leaves are an effective treatment for chronic urethritis. Healing tea must be drunk even after the onset of a period of remission in order to prevent the occurrence of episodes of relapse.
When using alternative methods, it is important to inform the attending physician about this. This is necessary in order to exclude the likelihood of a decrease in the effectiveness of medications.
Prevention
Any disease is easier to prevent. In order to reduce the risk of developing an inflammatory process, it is necessary to follow some recommendations:
- Responsible for personal hygiene.
- Avoid casual sexual intercourse. If they occur, use a barrier contraceptive. Compliance with this rule will help prevent not only urethritis, but also genital infections.
- Make adjustments to the diet. It is recommended that you follow the principles of good nutrition. First of all, you need to abandon fried, sour, spicy, salty and smoked dishes. In addition, do not abuse alcohol-containing drinks. Better to abandon them altogether.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Timely treat identified diseases.
It is important to constantly maintain the immune system. To do this, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes proper nutrition and regular physical activity. The latter should not be highly intense. As a rule, in individuals whose body suffers from physical overstrain, the protective forces are weakened.
Finally
Urethritis is an inflammatory process that affects the urethra. The disease can be diagnosed in both adults and children. Pathology has several types, each of which is characterized by certain clinical manifestations.
If alarming symptoms occur, consult a urologist or gynecologist. The doctor will conduct diagnostic measures and, based on the results of the studies, draw up a treatment regimen.