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Urethral Syndrome - Urethral Syndrome symptom, treatment, causes

Symptoms of urinary frequency, constant discomfort in the urethra (which drains urine from the bladder!, and pain on urination. These symptoms are usually related to sex and are more common in women than men. The syndrome occurs when there is no evidence of infection - no bacteria or pus in urine, no temperature, no pain in the lower abdomen, and often little or no urgency to pass urine.

Urethral syndrome is the presence of symptoms of a urinary tract infection even though very few or no bacteria are found in the urine. There are other non-infective causes that should be considered such as trauma, allergies , and anatomical features like diverticula and post surgical scarring. Most women will give a history of chronic recurrent UTIs but the cultures seem to not show any conventional bacterial growth, and pyuria (more than 5 WBC per HPF) is absent. This refers to a primarily female syndrome in which women suffer from irritative bladder symptoms (urinary frequency, urgency, burning, and more) in the absence of any objective urologic findings. That is to say, when they under medical evaluation their physicians discover no specific findings to account for their symptoms. Urethral syndrome can be a very frustrating and upsetting disease. While this disease is not life-threatening, it can cause disrupting symptoms and be difficult to treat. An understanding physician can help significantly in the diagnosis and treatment of these problems.

Symptoms of Urethral Syndrome

Some common Symptoms of Urethral Syndrome :

• Difficulty urinating (especially after intercourse).
• Pain and/or burning while urinating.
• Urethral discharge.
• In women, pain around the vulvar region.
• Swelling and/or tenderness in the groin.
• Pain with sexual intercourse.
• A frequent urge to urinate.

Cause of the Urethral Syndrome

In men the Urethral Syndrome may follow severe or repeated attacks of URETHRITIS. In women the symptoms are likely to result from frictional trauma to the urethra by the thrusting of the penis during intercourse, most often when the vagina is dry because of insufficient sexual arousal or oestrogen deficiency. Sometimes urethral symptoms arise from the pressure of the rim of a con-traceptive diaphragm. Other causes of urethral irritation in women include vaginal and vulval inflammations; soap, bath salts and foams; talcum powder; 'feminine hygiene' products; pressure from a tampon in the wrong position; clothes too tight in the crotch; horse-riding or bicycle-riding; and mas turbation. Some people get urethral irritation a few hours after a spicy meal. The common Causes of Urethral Syndrome :

• Irritation of the urethra.
• There are other non-infective causes that should be considered such as trauma, allergies , and anatomical features like diverticula and post surgical scarring.
• The urethral stenosis diagnosis, along with the serial urethral dilations used historically to treat the condition, is appropriate in a very small minority of patients.
• Undetected bacterial or viral infection of the urethra
• Unfortunately, a unified alternative etiology for urethral syndrome has not been identified.
• The incidence of interstitial cystitis is much greater in females than in males.
• To accomplish a pregnancy, the intricate processes of ovulation and fertilization need to work just right.
• Structural problems, such as narrowing of the urethra.

Diagnosis and treament of the Urethral Syndrome

Thorough investigation is necessary to exclude other possible causes of the Urethral Syndrome, especially infection. Antibiotics will not help unless infection is present. The urethra settles down of its own accord after a couple of days without sex or whatever else is irritating it. The best way for women to overcome the after-sex urethral syndrome is to ensure proper arousal and lubrication before penetration. This will not always be easy if you are worried about the out-come or if the problem has put you right off sex. It can help to use a lubricating jelly until you become confident that you can enjoy sex without developing urinary symptoms.

• Avoidance of Irritants.
• Behavioral therapy, including biofeedback, meditation, and hypnosis, has been used with some success.
• Dietary therapy is geared primarily at increasing urinary pH.
• Surgery.
• Antibiotics given if your doctor thinks urethral syndrome may be due to an undetected infection. Phenazopyridine May be given by your doctor to ease discomfort while urinating.
• Urethral syndrome a long term, low dose antibiotic treatment is given on a continuous basis or after intercourse each time if that seems to be prominent in relationship to symptoms occurring.