Urethritis is inflammation of the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body (urethra). It can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection (like some sexually transmitted diseases), irritation from soap or spermicide, or injury.

Symptoms of urethritis can include:

When urethritis is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic medicine is used to treat it.

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerAvery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
Last RevisedMay 16, 2011

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