Causes and treatment of burning in the urethra in men

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Burning in the urethra

an unpleasant condition in the urethra. Such sensations bring not only discomfort, but also signal an unpleasant disease. Of course, the reason may be a simple allergic reaction to some substance. But this should not stop you from going to a specialist. For any unpleasant phenomenon in the urethra, you should urgently visit a urologist.

Such diseases can occur under the influence of harmful microorganisms. Most often this is associated with a sexually transmitted disease. And most of these diseases are transmitted directly through sexual contact, so pay serious attention to the health of your reproductive system.

Causes of burning in the urethra

If you feel a burning sensation in the genitals, first think about whether you have used new hygiene detergents. Perhaps this was the cause of a banal allergic reaction to a new soap, gel or even toilet paper. Just exclude this component from your use.

It is also worth thinking about the fact that the slightest injury during sexual intercourse will also cause itching. The fungus enters microscopic wounds and an infectious inflammation forms. It is possible that a person may have one of these diseases: urinary tract and microflora disorders associated with dysbacteriosis. Hormonal imbalances can also lead to such unpleasant sensations.

If the burning sensation continues for several days, then you should not postpone your visit to the doctor. This could be a sign of a very unpleasant sexually transmitted disease. The sooner the cause is determined, the sooner you will receive the necessary drug treatment. Qualified help is necessary for prolonged itching and any strange discharge from the reproductive system.

Itching in the urethra in men, the basis of the pathological disorder

The occurrence of unpleasant sensations of discomfort in the area of ​​the urinary duct is formed as a result of irritation of receptors present in the mucous tissue, which, transmitting a signal to brain cells, convert the reaction into the perception of itching.

The reasons that contribute to the appearance of a characteristic sign most often include the process of inflammation, which has the following nature of development:

• Urethritis
  . The condition characterizes the process of inflammation of the urogenital canal, which develops as a result of the protracted course of diseases of the male genitourinary system, against the background of weakening of the body’s immune parameters in the presence of an internal infectious focus.
• Candidiasis.
  Determines damage to the mucous surface by yeast-like fungi, which are present in a healthy state on internal tissues without showing pathological effects. But, the weakening of the body’s protective properties causes an impetus for their active growth, suppressing the vital activity of beneficial bacteria and disrupting the natural balance of the flora of the internal environment, provoking inflammation and the manifestation of signs of itching.
• Infections
  transmitted through the genital tract during unprotected sexual contact, which include chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis and others. Penetration of the pathogen into the tissue of the urogenital canal during its incubation does not have obvious manifestations of signs characterizing the development of pathology. After activation of the pathogenic activity of the infectious agent, the symptoms of the disease develop, characterizing a violation of the healthy state and having individual severity of symptoms, depending on the state of the body’s immunity.

Methods for diagnosing urological diseases:

• Calling a urologist to your home
• Diagnosis of kidney diseases
• Diagnosis of bladder diseases
• Diagnosis of prostate diseases
• Diagnosis of scrotal diseases
• Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections
• Urine tests
• Tests for STIs
• PSA tests
• Ultrasound at home
• Kidney ultrasound
• Ultrasound of the prostate
• Ultrasound of the bladder
• Urological ultrasound at home
• Urethral swab
• Ultrasound of the penis
• Transrectal ultrasound
• Prostate juice tests
• Ultrasound of the genitourinary system

Burning in the urethra: urethritis and cystitis

Cystitis is a disease of the human urinary system, in which the mucous membrane of the bladder becomes inflamed, and a characteristic burning sensation is formed in the urethra. The cause of the disease is quite simple - harmful microorganisms enter the bladder of the diuretic system, which begin to actively multiply inside the body. If you ignore the disease, then in the future you may encounter such an unpleasant disease as urinary incontinence.

When cystitis is detected at an early stage, treatment is carried out at home. In this case, the patient drinks a significant amount of liquid, most importantly warm. It is also necessary to refuse any manifestation of sexual intercourse. Dietary nutrition is also prescribed. Effective medications are prescribed as medications.

Urethritis is a disease that causes inflammation of the urethra. There is a burning sensation, but the patient rarely urinates. If the disease is started, inflammation will occur in the kidneys. In this case, the use of antibiotics cannot be avoided.

The structure of the male urethra

In order to understand the causes of such a phenomenon as itching in the male urethra, you need to know the anatomy. The male urethra or urethra is a thin, hollow canal with different lumen diameters, ranging in length from 16 to 24 centimeters. For comparison, a woman’s urethra is about 4 cm long. Therefore, men begin to feel any pathological processes in the urethra faster and more intensely.

The male urethra consists of three sections:

The prostatic or prostatic section is that part of the urethra that is located in the prostate gland. The length of this part of the canal is about 4 cm.

The membranous or membranous section is the narrowest, its length is about 2 cm. It begins behind the prostate and ends at the base of the penis.

Spongy or spongy, the only movable part of the urethra is the part that is located in the penis. It ends with the opening of the urethra, which is called the meatus.

Other causes of burning

Sexual intercourse without basic protection can cause unpleasant itching and burning in the urethra. This is the main sign that you have a sexually transmitted disease. With such a problem, you should contact a venereologist. Only he will prescribe competent treatment and save you from suffering. If, in addition to burning in the urethra, there are characteristic inflammatory processes in the prostate area, then a diagnosis of prostatitis is made. In this case, patients complain of aching pain in the perineum and discomfort in the rectum. A weakened erection is also a clear indicator.

Prostatitis appears due to irregularities in the regularity of sexual intercourse, bad habits and poor circulation in the rectal area. Do not ignore the signs of burning; otherwise, an advanced disease is quite difficult to treat. Only a doctor can prescribe competent treatment.

This article is posted for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.

Answers to questions on the topic: Burning in the urethra

Where to go for consultation?

The choice of a specialized institution with the ability to carry out all stages of medical care should be determined by medical centers that provide complex services, providing prompt and multifaceted diagnostics of the body with the provision of the necessary procedures.

You can carry out search activities through our Help Desk for private clinics in Moscow “Your Doctor”, which helps determine the characteristics of the selected center, the level of competence of the staff and makes it possible to instantly arrange a call to your home from a urologist.

Publication date: 2019-02-17

Useful information on the topic:

• Diagnosis of itching in the urethra
• Itching in the urethra and discharge
• Itching in the urethra in women
• Itching in the urethra in men
• Treatment of itching in the urethra

Candidiasis (thrush)

Candidiasis (thrush), which is accompanied by the presence of a whitish coating on the head, pain and pain when urinating, redness and itching of the penis, and the presence of mucous discharge from the urethra.

The disease occurs when the microflora changes (dysbiosis) and the immunity in a man’s body weakens (often after intensive therapy with strong antibacterial drugs); candidiasis develops much less often after sexual intercourse.

Nevertheless, it is this disease that often causes itching of the penis and a number of other concerns. Treatment of candidiasis is carried out with medications (orally and locally) and requires pedantry in following doctors’ recommendations, as well as repeated anti-relapse courses.

Balanitis and balanoposthitis

Balanitis and balanoposthitis are inflammation of the glans and foreskin, accompanied by redness and itching of the penis, swelling of the foreskin, pain, burning and irritation.

The disease is associated with the accumulation of smegma between the folds of the foreskin and its infection with microflora.

Its cause may be phimosis, but most often it occurs due to poor genital hygiene. The disease often provokes itching and burning in the penis, but it can be easily treated if left untreated.

Venereal diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, chlamydia and others). Patients may be bothered not only by itching of the penis, but also by pain, burning and pain when urinating, discharge from the urethra, discomfort during ejaculation and other symptoms.

The disease is treated comprehensively, using antibacterial drugs to which the sensitivity of the pathogenic microflora is determined, and at the same time treatment of sexual partners is carried out.

You need to be especially careful with sexually transmitted diseases, since in addition to rashes and itching on the penis, some other problems can develop. For example, among the dangerous complications of sexually transmitted diseases is infertility.

Athlete's inguinal

Inguinal athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin, often involving the skin of the penis, causing hyperemia and itching. The most common cause is a pronounced decrease in immunity (for example, with diabetes) and failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.

The disease is treated with special antifungal drugs, but is prone to recurrence. If you notice any discomfort such as red spots and itching on the penis, immediately get examined by a doctor.

Itching of the penis after sexual intercourse

Itching of the penis after sexual intercourse can also occur with high acidity of the vaginal secretion of the partner (including candidiasis, inflammatory diseases, etc.).

In this case, it is necessary for both partners to undergo a series of examinations to find out the cause of the itching of the penis in a man.

After diagnosis, the doctor will help you decide on therapy and prescribe appropriate treatment. The woman may also need to undergo treatment, since during subsequent sexual intercourse the disease may return to both partners and again cause itching of the penis.

Types of urethritis in men

Urethritis in men is usually classified as:

1. For reasons of occurrence: infectious and non-infectious. Infectious - gonococcal and non-gonococcal; non-infectious - allergic, traumatic, stagnant (cognitive).
2. By origin: primary - the infection develops in the urethra; secondary - the infection penetrates from the bladder and prostate gland.
3. According to the location of the inflammatory focus: anterior, posterior.
4. According to the duration of the disease: fresh, chronic.

Urethritis - symptoms and treatment

The recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the European Association of Urology are currently the most authoritative and regularly updated clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of urogenital tract infections [7][8].

Symptoms of urethritis may be similar to those of other diseases of the genitourinary system, so it is very important to carry out a differential diagnosis. A correctly and carefully collected anamnesis, patient complaints, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics help with this [3].

Initially, a standard examination and history taking . During the conversation, the doctor must find out what exactly is troubling the patient, when the first symptoms appeared, whether there has been unprotected sexual intercourse recently, whether treatment for STIs was previously prescribed, and whether there are chronic diseases.

After this, a gynecological examination in women to exclude inflammatory diseases of the genital area; in the absence of the latter, an examination by a urologist is performed. The doctor evaluates the condition of the urethra and identifies the presence of discharge (purulent or mucous). At the same time, the skin of the perineum and external genitalia are examined for the presence of hyperemia (redness), plaque and rashes. To confirm the diagnosis of dystopia of the external urethral meatus, all patients undergo a digital examination of the vagina. It allows us to identify urethro-hymenal adhesions, leading to intravaginal displacement and gaping of the external urethral opening during sexual intercourse, which contributes to re-infection of the lower urinary tract and mechanical trauma to the external urethral opening [9].

After examination, urethral smears are taken from both for microscopy and bacteriological examination in order to identify the causative agent of the disease [10]. They also examine a general urine test, as well as a Nechiporenko urine test for the presence of leukocytes, bacteria and salt crystals.

Carrying out a 3-glass urine sample allows you to indirectly determine the level of prevalence of the inflammatory process. The number of leukocytes in the field of view is assessed:

• in the first portion - corresponds to urethritis;
• in the second portion - cystitis, prostatitis (in men);
• in the third portion - inflammation of the upper urinary tract (pyelonephritis).

Bacteriological examination (culture) of discharge from the urethra allows us to identify pathogenic and opportunistic microflora, its titer (concentration) and sensitivity to antibiotics. The diagnostically significant titer in women is 10x4, in men - 10x3 CFU/ml.

Serological method - determination of antibodies (immunoglobulins of class G, M and A) in the patient’s venous blood to the most common pathogens of urethritis. Used as an auxiliary method.

PCR is a technique for studying discharge from the urethra, blood or urine, as well as other biological fluids using a polymerase chain reaction, in order to detect certain pathogens in them.

The advantage of the method is its high sensitivity. The chance of a false negative is negligible, and the chance of a false positive is less than 1%.

There are specially developed diagnostic complexes [11]. These include the “Androflor” studies in men and “Femoflor” in women, which include the most complete and comprehensive etiological diagnosis of acute and chronic diseases and assessment of the microbiocenosis of the urogenital tract.

Along with laboratory tests, specific studies such as urethrocystoscopy or urethrography . In the first case, a cystoscope is inserted into the urethra, with the help of which the mucous membrane of the urethra and bladder is visualized. With urethrography, diagnosis is carried out using a radiopaque substance and taking a series of images to assess the patency and presence of pathological processes in the urethra.

an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs and upper urinary tract (bladder, uterus, appendages, prostate and seminal vesicles, kidneys) is performed

Urethritis - what is it?

Urethra (Greek) - urethra or urethra, and urethritis - inflammation of the urethra. Urethritis affects both women and men, but in men the discomfort caused by the infection is more unpleasant, much more painful and can lead to serious complications. The structure of the human urinary system does not depend on gender; sexual dimorphism is clearly manifested by anatomical differences and the ratio of the length and diameter of the urethra: in women its length is no more than 4-5 cm, in an adult man it is 20-23 centimeters. Signs of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urethra are pain, pain and burning when urinating, and the appearance of pathological discharge from the urethra. Without timely treatment, the disease can lead to the development of cystitis, prostatitis, inflammation of the testicle and its appendages.

It is believed that urethritis does not affect the development of infertility in men.

Most experts believe that today urethritis is one of the most common genitourinary diseases.

Causes of itching accompanied by inflammation of the urethra

If the patient's itching is associated with inflammation of the urethra, as well as discomfort when urinating, the doctor first suspects inflammation of the urethra or prostate.

Most often, inflammation of the prostate gland occurs against the background of various diseases of the genitourinary system. Often the impetus for inflammation is repeated hypothermia, physical inactivity, irregular sex life and frequent colds.

In addition to burning, a patient with prostatitis also complains of frequent but unproductive (false) urination, intermittent flow of urine, pain in the lower abdomen and testicles, penis and anus, and erectile dysfunction.

Untreated prostatitis inevitably leads to dangerous consequences: complete erectile dysfunction, vesiculitis and pyelonephritis. In addition, advanced prostatitis can cause prostate cancer.

Inflammatory disease of the urethra is caused by various pathogenic flora: mycoplasmas, chlamydia, trichomonas, staphylococcus. Often develops against the background of an inflammatory process in other organs.

The burning and itching sensation typical of urethritis when urinating is associated with inflammation of the urethral mucosa. This discomfort may be accompanied by severe pain, irradiation of the head and groin of the penis, as well as an unpleasant odor of the discharge.

Often urethritis develops unnoticed, making itself felt only when the body's immune system is weakened. If the disease is not treated, then according to the increasing principle of spread, the inflammation moves from the scrotum to the scrotum, prostate, testicles and appendages.