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After years of hard work, it’s finally time to let loose and celebrate. But as fun as schoolies can be, it’s important that you stay safe, including when it comes to sex. Use condoms The easiest way to practice safe sex? Use condoms. Condoms act as a physical barrier, preventing […]
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Urethritis is inflammation of the penile urethra, the tube that carries urine (pee) from the bladder out of the body through the penis. It can cause pain, irritation, swelling, or discomfort when urinating.
Urethritis is not a specific sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is a symptom that is often caused by STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or mycoplasma genitalium (MGen). Sometimes, no specific cause of urethritis can be found.
Urethritis can also be called non-specific urethritis (NSU) or non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU).
The symptoms of urethritis can range from mild discomfort to being very painful.
Common symptoms include:
Urethritis can be caused by infections that are passed through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Common causes include STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and MGen.
Sometimes, no STI is found. In some cases, viruses such as the common cold can cause urethritis and symptoms normally resolve without treatment.
Less commonly, urethritis may be caused by irritation or injury to the urethra rather than infection. This can happen after exposure to certain soaps, lotions or other products that irritate the area.
Using condoms during vaginal, anal and oral sex can help reduce the risk of getting or passing on an infection that may cause urethritis.
If you have been diagnosed with urethritis, avoid having sex until you have completed treatment and your symptoms have gone away.
As urethritis can sometimes be caused by irritation rather than an infection, it may help to avoid products that can irritate the genital area, such as heavily scented soaps, lotions or sprays.
Urethritis is only diagnosed when you have symptoms. A urine test is done to check for STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or MGen. Because urethritis can be uncomfortable, you may be offered treatment on the same day, before test results are available.
Test results may show that the urethritis was caused by a specific STI. Other times, no STI is found. If symptoms do not go away after treatment, return to your doctor or clinic as soon as possible.
Use the STI Testing Locator tool to find a testing location near you or call the Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (free call) or chat online for help finding a service.
Urethritis can be treated with antibiotics. It is important to:
If your symptoms continue after treatment, return to your doctor or clinic for further advice.
Call Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 (free call) or visit their website.
