Can Doxycycline Treat UTI? Everything You Need to Know

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health problem that affects millions of people every year. UTIs can cause a range of symptoms, including pain and discomfort during urination, frequent urination, and lower abdominal pain. If you suspect that you have a UTI, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent complications.

One of the antibiotics that is commonly used to treat UTIs is doxycycline. But can doxycycline really treat UTIs? In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about doxycycline and UTIs.

What is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline is a type of antibiotic that belongs to the tetracycline family. It is commonly used to treat a range of bacterial infections, including UTIs. Doxycycline works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria in the body.

Can Doxycycline Treat UTIs?

Yes, doxycycline can be an effective treatment for UTIs. However, it is not always the first choice of antibiotic for UTIs. Doxycycline is usually reserved for cases where other antibiotics have failed or are not suitable.

It’s important to note that not all UTIs are caused by the same type of bacteria. In some cases, the bacteria that cause UTIs may be resistant to doxycycline. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment for your UTI based on the type of bacteria causing the infection and other factors.

How is Doxycycline Taken?

Doxycycline is usually taken orally in the form of a tablet or capsule. It is important to take doxycycline exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking doxycycline even if you feel better, as this can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

What are the Side Effects of Doxycycline?

Like all antibiotics, doxycycline can cause side effects. Common side effects of doxycycline include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rash. More serious side effects are rare but can include liver damage, kidney damage, and an allergic reaction.

How Can Nao Medical Help You?

If you suspect that you have a UTI, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. At Nao Medical, we offer same-day appointments for UTIs and other urgent care needs. Our experienced healthcare providers can diagnose and treat your UTI quickly and effectively, using the most appropriate antibiotics for your specific case.

Our clinics are designed to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment, with minimal wait times and exceptional staff. We also offer a comprehensive app and extensive after-hours virtual care to ensure that you can access the care you need when you need it.

Conclusion

Doxycycline can be an effective treatment for UTIs, but it is not always the first choice of antibiotic. If you suspect that you have a UTI, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent complications. At Nao Medical, we offer same-day appointments and exceptional care for UTIs and other urgent care needs. Book an appointment with us today to get the best treatment for your UTI!

FAQs

Can doxycycline be used to treat all types of UTIs?

No, doxycycline is not always the first choice of antibiotic for UTIs. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment based on the type of bacteria causing the infection and other factors.

What are the common side effects of doxycycline?

Common side effects of doxycycline include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rash.

What should I do if I think I have a UTI?

If you suspect that you have a UTI, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Book an appointment with Nao Medical today to get the best treatment for your UTI!

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered, construed or interpreted as legal or professional advice, guidance or opinion.

Doxycycline: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings

Generic name: doxycycline [ DOX-i-SYE-kleen ]
Brand names: Acticlate, Adoxa CK, Adoxa Pak, Adoxa TT, Alodox,
. .. show all 18 brands
Avidoxy, Doryx, Mondoxyne NL, Monodox, Morgidox, Okebo, Oracea, Oraxyl, Periostat Targadox, Vibramycin calcium, Vibramycin Hyclate, Vibramycin monohydrate, Vibra-Tabs

Drug classes: Miscellaneous antimalarials, Tetracyclines

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Apr 5, 2023.

What is doxycycline?

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits bacterial growth and is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Doxycycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections including acne, urinary and respiratory tract infections, eye infections, gum disease, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. It can also be used prevent malaria and treat infections caused by mites, ticks, or lice.

Warnings

You should not take doxycycline if you are allergic to any tetracycline antibiotic.

Children younger than 8 years old should use doxycycline only in cases of severe or life-threatening conditions. This medicine can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children.

Using doxycycline during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby’s life.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics such as demeclocycline, minocycline, tetracycline, or tigecycline.

To make sure doxycycline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• asthma or sulfite allergy;

• increased pressure inside your skull; or

• if you also take isotretinoin, seizure medicine, or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

If you are using doxycycline to treat chlamydia, your doctor may test you to make sure you do not also have gonorrhea, another sexually transmitted disease.

Taking this medicine during pregnancy may affect tooth and bone development in the unborn baby. Taking doxycycline during the last half of pregnancy can cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby’s life. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while using this medicine.

Doxycycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Doxycycline can pass into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant. The extent of absorption is unknown. Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medicine.

Children should not use this medicine. Doxycycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old.

Children should use doxycycline only in cases of severe or life-threatening conditions such as anthrax or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The benefit of treating a serious condition may outweigh any risks to the child’s tooth development.

How should I take doxycycline?

Take doxycycline exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take doxycycline with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking this medicine.

Most brands of doxycyline may be taken with food or milk if the medicine upsets your stomach. Different brands of doxycycline may have different instructions about taking them with or without food.

Take Oracea on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

You may open a regular capsule or break up a regular tablet and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of cool water right away.

Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule or tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

You may need to split a doxycycline tablet to get the correct dose. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If you take doxycycline to prevent malaria: Start taking the medicine 1 or 2 days before entering an area where malaria is common. Continue taking the medicine every day during your stay and for at least 4 weeks after you leave the area. Use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.

Doxycycline is usually given by injection only if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth. A healthcare provider will give you this injection as an infusion into a vein.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Doxycycline will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using doxycycline.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat and light.

Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed. Using expired doxycycline can cause damage to your kidneys.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours before or after taking doxycycline.

Avoid taking any other antibiotics with doxycycline unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Doxycycline can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Doxycycline side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to doxycycline: (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may occur several weeks after you began using doxycycline.

Doxycycline may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• throat irritation, trouble swallowing;

• chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, feeling short of breath;

• little or no urination;

• low white blood cell counts – fever, chills, swollen glands, body aches, weakness, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;

• severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes;

• loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), tiredness, nausea or vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of doxycycline may include:

• nausea and vomiting;
• upset stomach;
• loss of appetite;
• mild diarrhea;
• skin rash or itching;
• darkened skin color;
• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect doxycycline?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may interact with doxycycline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Popular FAQ

Doxycycline is usually well tolerated and is considered safe for dogs. It is widely prescribed for a range of different conditions such as bacterial infections and oral gum disease. Continue reading

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Antibiotic therapy of urinary tract infections in family doctor practice

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Antibiotic therapy of urinary tract infections in the practice of a family doctor

Author:
V. Yu. Prikhodko

11/27/2016

PDF article.

May 19 was World Family Doctor Day. This memorable date was established by the World Organization of Family Physicians (WONCA) in 2011, and it has been celebrated in Ukraine since 2015. This year, the event has received a nationwide scale: a scientific and practical conference was held in Kiev, timed to coincide with the professional holiday of doctors in this specialty. The conference was attended not only by family doctors, but also by related specialists – infectious disease specialists, pediatricians, otorhinolaryngologists.

As part of the event , Professor of the Department of Therapy and Geriatrics of the National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education. P. L. Shupika (Kyiv), Doctor of Medical Sciences Viktoria Yurievna Prikhodko presented a report on the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the practice of a family doctor.

According to the classification given in the latest version of the recommendations for the management of patients with UTI of the European Urological Association, there are uncomplicated UTIs (mild and moderate) and complicated (mild, moderate and severe, complicated by organ dysfunction or multiple organ failure). Depending on the localization of the infection, urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, urosepsis, and lesions of the gonads are distinguished. In outpatient practice, a family doctor most often has to deal with mild and moderate uncomplicated UTIs.

Thus, at least once a year, 20-30% of adult women have uncomplicated acute cystitis. In 75-90% of cases, the cause of UTIs in sexually active women is sexual intercourse. 10% of women face the problem of chronic cystitis. Chronic UTIs are most susceptible to menopausal women, pregnant women, patients with diabetes mellitus, antibiotic resistance. The diagnosis of chronic cystitis can be established in the presence of ≥2 episodes of exacerbations in 6 months or ≥3 episodes in a year.

The main causative agent of uncomplicated UTI (acute cystitis) is Escherichia coli (76.7% of cases according to the ARESC study). Other pathogens are much less common: Staphylococcus saprophyticus (3.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.5%), Proteus mirabilis (3.5%), etc. regarding Escherichia coli.

Recommended treatment regimens for acute cystitis:
• ciprofloxacin 250 mg bid for 3 days
• levofloxacin 250 mg bid for 3 days
• norfloxacin 400 mg bid within 3 days
• cefpodoxime proxetil 100 mg bid for 3 days
• cefixime 400 mg bid for 3 days
• fosfomycin 3 g once
• nitrofurantoin 50 mg 6 r / day for 7 days

In the case of recurrent cystitis, treatment is extended until the exacerbation is relieved. To prevent recurrence, fosfomycin is administered orally at 3 g 1 r / day every 10 days for 3 months. After treatment, prophylactic administration of nitrofurantoin at a dose of 100 mg 1 r / day at night is continued for up to 3 months.

Pyelonephritis is a non-specific inflammatory disease of the kidneys of an infectious nature, which is characterized by damage to the renal pelvis (pyelitis), calyces and parenchyma of the kidney (mainly its interstitial tissue). This is the most common kidney disease in all age groups. Women also predominate among patients with pyelonephritis: they are 5 times more likely than men to be hospitalized for acute pyelonephritis. According to the results of autopsy, pyelonephritis, not diagnosed during life, is detected in approximately every 10-12th deceased, among the dead of elderly and senile age – in every 5th.

There are primary and secondary pyelonephritis, depending on the nature of the inflammation – serous, purulent and necrotic papillitis. Purulent nephritis can occur in the form of a kidney abscess, carbuncle or apostematous nephritis. Infectious agents enter the kidney in two ways: urogenic (ascending) and hematogenous. Enterobacteria penetrate the kidney ascending, and staphylococci penetrate hematogenously. The most common causative agent of community-acquired uncomplicated forms of pyelonephritis is Escherichia coli (about 80% of cases). In primary pyelonephritis and the hematogenous route of infection, the general symptoms of the disease are more pronounced, in secondary pyelonephritis and the urogenic route of infection, local manifestations come to the fore. In typical cases of acute pyelonephritis, a triad of symptoms is characteristic: chills with fever, dysuria and back pain (on both sides with bilateral and on one side with unilateral pyelonephritis).

Acute pyelonephritis is indicated by the following laboratory signs if the clinical picture is appropriate:
• bacteriuria ≥50-100 thousand microbial bodies in 1 ml of urine;
• leukocyturia (pyuria) – leukocytes cover all fields of vision or are found in clusters;
• erythrocyturia, mainly in the form of microhematuria, less often macrohematuria (with necrosis of the renal papillae, calculous pyelonephritis).

Proteinuria in acute pyelonephritis usually does not exceed 1.0 g/l (from traces of protein in urine to 1.0 g/l). Leukocyturia may be absent in cases where the pathological process is localized in the cortical substance of the kidney, as well as in case of obstruction of the ureter (blockage with a stone) in the case of a unilateral lesion.

In severe pyelonephritis, cylindruria is observed – granular and waxy casts are found in the urine. Impaired kidney function with an increase in the content of urea and creatinine in the blood is recorded in approximately one third of patients with severe bilateral kidney damage.

Chronic pyelonephritis results from untreated or undiagnosed acute pyelonephritis; the diagnosis is established if recovery does not occur within 3 months. The disease proceeds in the form of successive exacerbations and remissions. Clinically, the exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis is similar to the course of acute pyelonephritis and is accompanied by an increase in body temperature up to 38-39°C, pain in the lumbar region (on one or both sides), dysuric phenomena, deterioration in general condition, loss of appetite, headache, abdominal pain, sometimes nausea and vomiting. In contrast to an acute process, in a chronic process, patients may experience pallor of the skin due to anemia, puffiness of the face, pastosity or swelling of the eyelids (usually under the eyes) in the morning or after sleep. In such patients, Pasternatsky’s symptom is not always positive. Often there is moderate or severe polyuria with hypostenuria, nocturia.

With an appropriate clinical picture, the following laboratory signs may indicate chronic pyelonephritis:
• bacteriuria ≥50-100 thousand microbial bodies in 1 ml of urine;
• proteinuria, usually less than 1 g/l;
• leukocyturia – 5-20 leukocytes per field of view, less often – 50-100; active leukocytes are often found;
• in the general blood test, leukocytosis with a shift in the leukocyte formula, an increase in ESR, anemia are detected;
• in the blood proteinogram, especially during an exacerbation, hypoalbuminemia, hypo-α1- and hypo-α2-globulinemia, in the late stages of the disease – hypogammaglobulinemia.

In case of pyelonephritis with a latent course, pain in the lumbar region is insignificant, aching or pulling, and is of a non-permanent nature. Dysuric phenomena in most cases are absent or occur occasionally and are insignificant. Body temperature, as a rule, is normal and only sometimes (more often in the evenings) rises to subfebrile numbers.

Laboratory signs in latent pyelonephritis are also not very specific, which greatly complicates the diagnosis of the disease. Proteinuria and leukocyturia are minor and intermittent. The concentration of protein in urine ranges from traces to 0.033-0.099 g/l. The number of leukocytes in repeated urine tests does not exceed the norm or reaches 6-8, less often 10-15 in the field of view. Active leukocytes and bacteriuria are not detected in most cases. Moderate anemia, a slight increase in ESR are possible. Urinalysis according to Nechiporenko and analysis of daily urine for protein can serve as a guideline in the diagnosis of latent pyelonephritis. If the number of leukocytes in the study according to Nechiporenko exceeds 2.5 × 106 / l, and the protein content in the daily amount of urine is more than 70-100 mg, this may indicate the presence of pyelonephritis.

The following drugs are indicated for empiric antibiotic treatment of acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis in non-pregnant women.
• First line drugs:
– ciprofloxacin 500-750 mg bid 7-10 days
– levofloxacin 250-500 mg/day 7-10 days or 750 mg /day 5 days
• Alternative drugs:
– cefpodoxime proxetil 200 mg bid 10 days
– cefixime 400 mg/day 10 days
• Only in cases of known susceptibility (not for empirical therapy):
– sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim 160/800 mg bid for 14 days
– amoxicillin/clavulanate 0.5/0 .125 g/day 14 days

Fluoroquinolones are the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the US today. Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin account for 52% of all prescriptions for uncomplicated UTIs. The popularity of these drugs is associated with their high efficiency and ease of use. On the basis of our clinic, the domestic drug levofloxacin Leflok (Darnitsa) is widely used. It has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity, is produced in the form of a solution for infusion in polypropylene bottles with a eurocap and in the form of tablets. Therefore, Leflok is conveniently used for stepwise therapy in patients with acute and chronic pyelonephritis.

Antibiotic therapy for chronic pyelonephritis is carried out systematically and for a long time – the initial course of antibiotic treatment is 6-8 weeks. During this time, it is necessary to achieve suppression of the infectious agent in the kidney. After achieving remission, antibiotic treatment is continued with intermittent courses that last at least 10 days. For therapy, antibiotics are chosen, to which the sensitivity of the causative agent of the disease was previously detected, since there is no bacteriuria in the latent phase of inflammation and during remission. At the first stage of anti-relapse treatment, antibiotic therapy is carried out continuously with the possible replacement of an antibacterial drug with another every 10 days until the persistent disappearance of bacteriuria and leukocyturia occurs (for a period of at least 2 months). After that, for 4-5 months, intermittent treatment with antibacterial drugs is carried out for 10 days with intervals of 20 days between courses. In case of persistent long-term remission (after 6 months of treatment), it is possible not to prescribe antibacterial agents, but to recommend herbal medicines and anti-relapse courses of antibiotics as necessary to patients.

Domestic clinicians have accumulated impressive positive experience in the use of Leflok and Leflok-Darnitsa drugs in UTI therapy regimens. A wide spectrum of activity, high efficiency, ease of administration, good compliance – these advantages of levofloxacin make it one of the most effective tools in the medical arsenal.

Subject to adequate prescription and strict adherence to the recommendations for use, Leflok and Leflok-Darnitsa provide a good result in the treatment of patients with UTIs with a minimal likelihood of side effects.

Prepared by Maria Makovetskaya

• Number:
• Medical newspaper “Health of Ukraine 21 stories” No. 20 (393), date 2016

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In spite of the recent reach of early detection of localized cancer of the anterior lesion, the tactics of treating such ailments become super-smart. Although multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and targeted biopsy optimize the diagnosis of progressively progressive puffiness, the folding aspects of stratification risk all the same produce both to the supra-mundane, and to the lack of exuberance. To your respect, a short summary of the results of the 15th study of the English scientists F.S.Hamdi et al. (2023) Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment (ProtecT) and commentary by the faculty of Tulane Medical School, New Orleans (USA) O. Sartor.
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Urology and Andrology/History of the Formation of Neurourology

The article presents the designation of neurourology as a medical discipline; described the main diseases and injuries of the nervous system, with some causes neurogenic dysfunction of the lower sich channels (sich michur and urethra). The history of the formation of neurourology is discussed – in the development of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the lower sich channels, in the implementation of catheterization of the sich michur to the development of modern high-tech techniques and operations from the introduction or shortening of the functions of the sieve michur and urethra.
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ialities. A high level of stress, unfriendly factors of the environment, important minds and services negatively affect the state of human health, causing the development of hospitable and chronic diseases of various systems of the body, including the urogenital tract. To this very reason, the search for effective approaches to the relief of inflammation and pain becomes a brazen food for doctors in the minds of a military camp.
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Urethritis | Dikul Center

Urethritis is a disease in which there is inflammation and irritation of the urethra, which is the passageway for urine from the bladder. Sperm also passes through the urethra in men.

Urethritis usually presents with pain when urinating and an urge to urinate frequently. The leading cause of urethritis is infection of the urethra by various bacteria.

Urethritis – differs from urinary tract infection in that the inflammation and infection affects only the urethra locally. The symptoms of a UTI may be the same as those of urethritis, but treatment will vary depending on the cause of the urethritis.

Urethritis can develop in people of any age and occurs in both women and men. However, women are at a higher risk of developing urethritis than men because the urethra is much shorter in women, which increases the risk of bacteria entering the urethra.

In 80% of cases, urethritis has a non-gonococcal origin.

Symptoms

Symptoms in men

Men with urethritis may have the following symptoms:

• Burning urination
• itching or burning sensation near the opening of the urethra
• Blood in urine or semen
• discharge from the urethra

Symptoms in women

Women with urethritis may have the following symptoms:

• frequent urge to urinate
• urinary discomfort
• burning sensation or irritation in the region of the opening of the urethra
• possible abnormal vaginal discharge.

At the same time, urethritis may be asymptomatic in some people, especially in women. In men, urethritis can also occur without symptoms if caused by infections such as chlamydia or Trichomonas.

For this reason, testing for (STIs) is essential when infections are suspected.

Causes

Most cases of urethritis are caused by an infection: viruses or bacteria. The most common cause of urethritis is bacteria that can infect both the lining of the urethra and the bladder or kidneys. Bacteria that naturally live in the genital area can also cause urethritis if they enter the urinary tract.

Bacteria that can cause urethritis include:

• Neisseria gonorrhea
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Mycoplasma genitalium

Urethritis can also be caused by protozoa such as trichomoniasis.

In addition, some viruses (human papillomavirus, herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus) can also cause urethritis.

Types

There are different types of urethritis classified according to the genesis of the inflammation. These are gonococcal urethritis and non-gonococcal urethritis.

Gonococcal urethritis is caused by the bacterium gonorrhea. Such an infection is the cause of urethritis in 20 percent of cases.

Non-gonococcal urethritis – not caused by gonorrhea, but by other infections. Chlamydia is a common cause of non-gonococcal urethritis, and other STIs can also cause inflammation of the urethra.

However, urethral irritation not associated with STIs may occur. These causes may be trauma to the genitals or, for example, damage to the urethra after using the catheter.

Urethritis can have multiple causes, especially in women.

Diagnosis

After your doctor has taken your symptoms and history, your doctor will also examine your genital area for discharge, tenderness, sores, and other signs of an STI. This can help the doctor make a diagnosis.

Your doctor may also order a urine or swab test from the urethra or vaginal area. If a specific STI is suspected, other blood tests may be ordered to look for other STIs, such as HIV and syphilis.

Within a few days, the results of the tests will be ready, and the doctor can prescribe treatment. Often, the partner also has to undergo examination and treatment.

Treatment

Urethritis is usually treated with medication, such as antibiotics or antivirals. The most common drugs used to treat urethritis are:

• azithromycin, an antibiotic, usually given as a single dose
• doxycycline
• erythromycin
• ofloxacin
• levofloxacin

If urethritis is caused by an STI, it is essential that all sexual partners be evaluated and treated if necessary. This helps to prevent re-infection and eliminate the risk of spreading STIs.

Symptoms usually improve within a few days of starting treatment. However, it is necessary to complete the fully recommended course of treatment and resume sexual activity no earlier than one week after completion of treatment.

Potential adverse effects may occur with drug interactions used to treat urethritis when taken with:

• blood thinners
• cardiac drugs
• anticonvulsants

Complications

If timely prescribed, drugs can quickly get rid of urethritis. However, if the infection is left untreated, the consequences can be long-term and very serious. The infection can spread to other parts of the urinary tract, including the bladder, ureters, and kidneys. If the urinary tract is affected, treatment is longer, and if left untreated, complications can be long-term and cause organ damage. Infections can also spread through the blood and lead to sepsis, which can be fatal.

In addition, STIs, which often cause urethritis, can cause problems with the reproductive system. Women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause infertility, pain during sex, or persistent pelvic pain. Women with untreated STIs also have a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, which can be fatal.

In men, urethritis can lead to infection of the prostate or narrowing of the urethra due to scarring, resulting in painful urination. For these reasons, if you have any symptoms of urethritis, you should consult a doctor.

Prevention

Many of the bacteria that cause urethritis can be passed on to another person through sexual contact.