Female urinary tract
Female urinary tract
Male urinary tract
Male urinary tract


Chronic urethritis

Alternative Names:
Urethral syndrome

Symptoms:
  • Urinary frequency/urgency (increased number of time voiding and sensation of the need to void)
  • Urination discomfort, burning, or stinging of the urethra or lower abdomen during urination (see painful urination)
  • Urethral discharge (if present, may stain underwear and appear either bloody or pus-like, and is often foul-smelling)

Note: Symptoms are long-standing (chronic).



Signs and tests:
  • A urinalysis may indicate potential infection or inflammation.
  • A urine culture (clean catch) is done to confirm infection and causative agent.
  • Urethral discharge culture or vaginal culture specimen(s) may be obtained to rule out sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Cystoscopy and urethroscopy may be performed to directly examine the urethra. These tests may reveal a urethral stricture (narrowing), a urethral diverticulum (out-pouching), or a mass (such as a urethral tumor).



Review Date: 6/4/2002
Reviewed By: Scott M. Gilbert, M.D., Department of Urology, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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