A doctor may carry out tests, such as urine flow testing and ultrasound imaging, to determine the position and severity of the stricture. For minor strictures, a doctor may suggest a wait-and-see approach. For moderate or severe cases, they may recommend a surgical technique called dilation, which involves stretching the area of stricture.
They may need to remove the stricture and remodel part of the urethra. Obstructive uropathy is a condition in which urine is unable to flow through the urinary tract due to a blockage in part of the urinary system.
This blockage causes urine to flow backward through the system, possibly damaging one or both kidneys. Causes of a blockage within the urinary tract include: When a person's urine contains too little water and excess waste, the waste products can clump together to form kidney stones. A very small kidney stone may move through the urinary tract without causing symptoms, but larger kidney stones can cause: The best treatment for a kidney stone depends on several factors, including its size, the severity of symptoms, and whether it is blocking the urinary tract.
A doctor may request blood, urine, and imaging tests to determine the best course of treatment. If the stones are small, a doctor may advise taking a pain-relieving medication and drinking plenty of fluids to dilute the urine and flush the stones out. Pelvic inflammatory disease PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs. PID occurs when a bacterial infection that starts in the vagina or cervix moves up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Sometimes, the bacteria responsible enter via the urethra, which may cause urethral pain.
PID can cause scarring of the reproductive organs. Without treatment, it may cause long-term problems, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. A doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics for PID.
In some cases, a person may need surgery to remove abscesses resulting from the infection. Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which is a male reproductive organ that sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The prostate gland produces a fluid that contributes to semen. A person can have acute or chronic prostatitis. Acute prostatitis may result from a bacterial infection that initially developed in the bladder or urethra.
Symptoms include: The epididymis is a coiled tube within the testicle where the sperm mature. Epididymitis is inflammation of this tube with subsequent swelling and pain. People often describe urethral pain as a burning sensation, and urinating can sometimes be excruciating. Urethral pain can occur in all genders. Common causes include:. In addition, in people with a prostate, prostatitis can result in urethral pain. For those with a vagina, menopause can sometimes lead to vaginal dryness, contributing to urethral pain.
Diagnostic tests may include:. Treatment depends on the specific cause. If an STD is the culprit, treating a person's partner is also critical. This article explains the causes, diagnosis, complications, and treatment of urethral pain. The urethra is the tube running from the bladder to the outside of the body. Depending on a person's anatomy, there are differences in the structure and function of the urethra.
These differences can play a role in the different conditions that lead to urethral pain. Conditions that irritate the urethra can cause urethral pain. The major causes are discussed below. Urethritis is a medical term that means "inflammation of the urethra. Possible STDs that can cause urethritis include:. Reactive arthritis Reiter's syndrome is another potential cause of urethral pain.
Infections of the eyes, urinary tract, and genitals often accompany this type of joint pain and inflammation. These co-infections can include:. Reactive arthritis can be associated with:. UTIs often cause urethral pain, but they are much more common in people with a vagina due to the short length of the urethra. In addition to urethral pain, people may experience:. Interstitial cystitis is a somewhat poorly understood condition.
The severe urethral pain mimics a bad UTI, but urine cultures don't show an infection. It's thought by some to be a systemic body-wide condition rather than a localized infection. It is often associated with other conditions such as fibromyalgia. Anything that blocks the urethra can lead to the buildup of urine. This buildup stretches the tissues, causing significant urethral pain. There are many potential causes of obstruction, including:.
Some medications, such as Procardia nifedipine , can irritate the urethra and cause pain. Radiation therapy may also result in chronic pain radiation cystitis. There are some bladder-irritating foods, as well, that may irritate the urethra and cause pain. Common culprits include:. Damage to the urethra can lead to pain. Examples of trauma include:. Some noninfectious skin conditions, when present near the opening of the urethra, may cause pain.
A few of these include psoriasis and lichen sclerosis. As noted, benign prostate hyperplasia can occur in people with a prostate. It can lead to narrowing of the urethra and cause pain. Other conditions that may result in urethral pain in people with a penis include:. Urethral irritation that leads to pain is common in people with a vagina.
This irritation may be due to:. Yeast infections are another common cause. These fungal infections can cause significant discomfort and itching.
Bacterial vaginosis is yet another cause related to the vagina. This infection can be very frustrating due to its often chronic nature. Symptoms include vaginal discharge and a fishy odor. In those who are menopausal, vaginal atrophy can lead to urethral pain and vaginal pain, and dryness. When severe, the urethra can push out of the urethral opening urethral prolapse. Vaginal atrophy can also increase the risk of UTIs. There are many things that can cause urethral pain. Some causes are specific to the anatomy of the prostate and penis or vagina.
Diagnosis of urethritis starts with a careful medical history. Your healthcare provider will ask you about any possible risk factors for STDs, such as a new sexual partner or unprotected sex. They will also ask about any urological problems you have had in the past. Your doctor will then perform a physical exam.
They will pay special attention to the presence of urethral discharge, ulcers, enlarged inguinal lymph nodes lymph nodes in the groin. Additionally, they may gently "milk" the penis by pulling down the shaft to check for discharge. Your doctor may also examine other areas, such as the scrotum, cervix, anus, and throat, for signs of inflammation.
Depending on the results, they may order further tests or recommend a referral to a urologist. Lab tests to evaluate urethral pain include a urinalysis. A cotton swab is inserted into the vagina. This test lets the provider look for problems in the urinary tract. The test uses a thin, flexible telescope called a cystoscope with a light and camera attached. The scope is put into the urethra. This lets the healthcare provider see a detailed image of the inside of your pelvis.
Ultrasound will not show if you have urethritis. But it may show other signs of STIs that can also cause urethritis. Nucleic acid test NAT. This can tell if you have a virus or bacteria. It may be done instead of a culture because it allows for a faster diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the cause of urethritis. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about your treatment options. In the meantime, your symptoms can be treated. To relieve pain and swelling, anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, may be given. Untreated, symptoms may get worse.
It can also cause scar tissue to form in the urethra, causing it to narrow. And it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Fever of Any sexual contact with the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth can spread an STI. The only sure way to prevent STIs is not to have sex abstinence.
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