Urethritis

Mate pūaha mimi

Urethritis is inflammation of your urethra, the tube that you pass wee (urine) through. It can cause a discharge from the tip of your penis, pain on weeing and itching.

It's usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.

You'll need to do a urine test to be checked. Sometimes, you'll also need a swab test.

Urethritis is treated with antibiotics. Your sexual partner needs to be treated at the same time.

Even if you feel embarrassed, it's better to get a simple check than to have untreated urethritis.

HealthInfo recommends the following pages

Just the Facts – Urethritis
More information about urethritis.
NHS – Urethritis
Detailed information about the type of urethritis that isn't caused by a gonorrhoea infection.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed August 2022.

Sources

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Review key: HIPEH-223783