Urethritis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Urethritis?
A primary care doctor can often check for urethritis. This is soreness and swelling of the tube that carries urine out of the body. You may also see a urologist, a doctor who treats the urinary tract, or visit a sexual health clinic. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is urethritis?
Urethritis is swelling and irritation of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the body.
Urethritis is often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which is an infection passed on through sex. It needs treatment with antibiotics, which are medicines that kill bacteria. Gonococcal urethritis is when the infection is caused by gonorrhea. Non-gonococcal urethritis is more common. It is when the infection is caused by something other than gonorrhea, such as chlamydia.
Symptoms
In men, symptoms can include:
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Burning pain while urinating, which doctors call dysuria.
- Discharge from the penis.
- Needing to pee often or in a hurry.
- Itching, tenderness, or swelling in the penis.
In women, symptoms can include:
- Belly pain.
- Burning pain while urinating.
- Fever and chills.
- Needing to pee often or in a hurry.
- Pelvic pain, which is pain low in the belly.
- Pain with sex.
- Vaginal discharge.
Urethritis does not always have symptoms. A person with urethritis and no symptoms can pass on the infection without realizing it.
Causes and who gets it
Bacteria and viruses may both cause urethritis. Some of the bacteria are E coli, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These bacteria also cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and some STIs. Viral causes are herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus.
Other causes include injury and sensitivity to the chemicals in spermicides, contraceptive jellies, or foams. Damage or irritation to the urethra can also cause it. One example is a urinary catheter, a thin tube that drains urine. Sometimes no cause can be found.
Things that raise the risk of urethritis include:
- Being female.
- Being male and aged 20 to 35.
- Having many sexual partners.
- Having had an STI before.
You can lower your chance by keeping the area around the opening of the urethra clean. Use a condom every time you have vaginal sex or anal sex.
How doctors diagnose it
The health care provider will examine you. In men, the exam includes the belly, bladder area, penis, and scrotum. A digital rectal exam is also done. Women have belly and pelvic exams.
Tests that may be done include:
- A swab test, where a cotton bud takes a sample from the urethra.
- A urine test. You may be asked not to pee for at least 2 hours before giving the sample. This can make the results more reliable.
- Tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other STIs.
Treatment
The goals of treatment are to get rid of the cause, improve symptoms, and stop the infection from spreading.
If you have a bacterial infection, you will be given antibiotics. It may take a week or two for your symptoms to disappear completely. You may take pain relievers for body pain and products for urinary tract pain, plus antibiotics.
People who are being treated should avoid sex, or use condoms during sex. Your sexual partner must also be treated if the condition is caused by an infection.
Urethritis caused by injury or chemical irritants is treated by avoiding the source of injury or irritation. Urethritis that lasts at least 6 weeks after antibiotic treatment is called chronic urethritis. Different antibiotics may be used to treat it.
You may be asked to come back in 1 to 2 weeks to check the treatment has worked.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of urethritis. See a doctor or go to a sexual health clinic if you think you might have urethritis or an STI. Treatment is important to avoid spreading the infection to other people.
In women, fever and chills, belly pain, and pelvic pain can be signs of urethritis. Tell your provider about them.
With the correct diagnosis and treatment, urethritis most often clears up without further problems. However, it can damage the urethra for a long time. It can cause scar tissue called a urethral stricture. In women, the infection could lead to fertility problems if it spreads to the pelvis.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can do a first evaluation and help arrange urine and swab tests. They can refer you to a urologist or sexual health clinic and follow your care over time.
Common questions
What is the difference between gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis?
Gonococcal urethritis is caused by gonorrhea. Non-gonococcal urethritis is caused by something else, such as chlamydia.
Can you have urethritis without symptoms?
Yes, urethritis does not always have symptoms. A person with no symptoms can still pass on the infection without realizing it.
Does my sexual partner need treatment for urethritis?
Yes, your sexual partner must also be treated if the urethritis is caused by an infection.
Can urethritis cause long-term problems?
Yes, it can, but this is not common. Urethritis can lead to long-term damage to the urethra and scar tissue called a urethral stricture.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
