If I have urethritis, does that mean I have an STD?

Sexual contact is one of the most common causes of urethritis, but not all cases are STDs. Besides bacteria and viruses, poor hygiene or excessive irritation can cause it. Identifying the exact cause and getting the right treatment is important.

My symptoms are gone — should I continue treatment?

Yes. Even after symptoms disappear, bacteria may remain. Stopping early can cause recurrence or antibiotic resistance, so take all prescribed medication to the end. Treating your sexual partner too helps prevent reinfection.

Can urethritis heal on its own?

Some mild cases do resolve on their own, but this is very rare. Left untreated, it can progress to prostatitis or infertility, which makes it dangerous. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is the safest approach.

Is it okay to have sex during treatment?

Avoid sex during treatment. Sex before the infection is fully cured can infect your partner or worsen your symptoms. It is safest to resume only after you are confirmed cured.

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AI CURATION

Briefly describe your symptoms
to the smart Goldman AI.

e.g. I urinate frequently and always feel residual urine
e.g. I feel a burning pain when I urinate
e.g. Itchy, stinging blisters on my genitals

Urethritis

Urethritis is the world's most common sexually transmitted disease.Treatment starts with identifying the causative organism.

Sudden frequent urination and pain
may be early symptoms of urethritis.

Urethritis explained by urology specialist Dr. Lee Min Chong, Goldman TV

VIEW

Urethritis is mainly caused by bacterial infection and can spread easily, especially through sexual contact.
Prompt, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are therefore essential.

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What is urethritis?

Urethritis is a condition in which the urethra becomes inflamed, and it is generally classified as a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Urethritis is divided into ‘gonococcal urethritis’, caused by gonorrhea bacteria, and ‘non-gonococcal urethritis’, caused by other bacteria. In particular, most cases of male urethritis are classified as non-gonococcal urethritis.

Gonococcal urethritis

· Caused by gonococcal infection via sexual contact

· Risk increases without circumcision
Non-gonococcal urethritis

· Caused by infection with a variety of organisms

· Usually asymptomatic in women, with clear symptoms in men

What causes urethritis?

Urethritis has many causes, but statistically the most common organism is chlamydia.
The main route of infection is sexual contact, and it can also be transmitted by carriers who have no symptoms.
In addition, newborns can become infected while passing through the birth canal during delivery, which may present as conjunctivitis or otitis media, so early detection is important.

Common causative organisms of non-gonococcal urethritis

chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, trichomonas,
candida, haemophilus, E. coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus,
herpes, adenovirus

Chlamydia
Myco
plasma
Candida
Haemophilus

Urethritis:
what symptoms come with it?

The main symptoms of non-gonococcal urethritis in men include discomfort or itching after sexual intercourse, a stinging sensation in the urethra when urinating, urethral pain, and urethral discharge.
Any infectious disease can lead to complications if it is not treated properly, and with non-gonococcal urethritis the complications also vary depending on the causative organism.

	Male	Female
Symptoms	· Pain or burning when urinating · Clear or sticky mucous discharge · Urethral itching · Prostatitis, with perineal and scrotal pain	· Pain or burning when urinating · Increased vaginal discharge · Itching and burning of the vulva · Lower abdominal pain and pain during sex
Complications	· Bacterial prostatitis · Epididymitis, which can cause infertility · Urethral stricture that causes difficulty urinating · Conjunctivitis and various skin conditions	· Inflammation of the cervix, endometrium, and fallopian tubes · Pelvic inflammatory disease · Ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage · Chronic pelvic pain, vaginitis, proctitis, and more

Could my symptoms be an STD too?

Don't leave even mild symptoms unattended.
You can check your health with a 1-minute self-assessment.

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Diagnosing urethritis:
what methods are used?

With urethritis, it is often difficult to pinpoint the causative organism from symptoms alone.
For an accurate diagnosis, we perform a range of tests, from checking for signs of inflammation to genetic testing.
Goldman selects and guides you to the most suitable diagnostic method based on your symptoms and stage of infection.

Urine inflammation test

Urethral discharge or urine is examined under a microscope to quickly confirm inflammatory cells.

For accuracy, first-morning urine or urine held at least 3 hours is best.

Special staining or bacterial culture

Beyond a simple inflammation test, we identify the specific organism.

Bacteria are hard to spot by microscopy alone, so we use special staining or bacterial culture.

Image representing genetic amplification (PCR) testing

Genetic amplification test (Multiplex PCR test)

Non-gonococcal urethritis is hard to diagnose by standard culture, so genetic amplification testing (PCR) is required.

Screening many organisms at once has recently improved cure rates.

The first step in diagnosis — check points of Goldman's Multi-PCR test

More accurate, sensitive, and faster than conventional bacterial culture.
Rapidly detects many pathogens, including HPV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma.
Beyond confirming infection, it identifies the bacteria type and any drug resistance.
As the first urology clinic to adopt PCR testing, Goldman draws on deep experience and varied cases for more precise diagnoses.

Treating urethritis: how does it work?

Urethritis is treated with antibiotics suited to the causative organism, and even once symptoms disappear,
it is important to complete the full course of treatment.
Your sexual partner must also be treated at the same time to prevent reinfection.
If treatment is ineffective or the infection recurs, the antibiotics are adjusted, and early treatment
is essential for preventing complications.

With urethritis prevention,
get back to a healthy everyday life.

Urethritis can spread easily, so personal hygiene and safe sexual practices are very important.
Prevent recurrence through regular testing and a stronger immune system, and maintain a healthy life.

Practice safe sex (condom use recommended)
Avoid sexual contact with multiple or unfamiliar partners
Keep the urethral area clean after urinating
Wear clean underwear and change it frequently
Avoid excessive vaginal douching (women)
Regular STD testing

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Have questions about urethritis? Get answers now.

Goldman's know-how gives clear answers to patients' questions.

Sexual contact is one of the most common causes of urethritis, but not all cases are STDs.Besides bacteria and viruses, poor hygiene or excessive irritation can cause it.Identifying the exact cause and getting the right treatment is important.
Yes.Even after symptoms disappear, bacteria may remain.Stopping early can cause recurrence or antibiotic resistance, so take all prescribed medication to the end.Treating your sexual partner too helps prevent reinfection.
Some mild cases do resolve on their own, but this is very rare.Left untreated, it can progress to prostatitis or infertility, which makes it dangerous.Prompt diagnosis and treatment is the safest approach.
Avoid sex during treatment.Sex before the infection is fully cured can infect your partner or worsen your symptoms.It is safest to resume only after you are confirmed cured.