If you are a woman, having the urge to urinate more frequently may also be a sign that you have urethritis. If you are a man, you may also find blood in the semen or urine if you have urethritis. [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Because urethritis is commonly caused by sexually transmitted diseases, you should also see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms in conjunction with signs of a sexually transmitted disease, such as genital warts, rash, or bumps.

In order for your doctor to make a proper diagnosis, it’s important that you are honest about your sexual history. Remember that your doctor is there to help, not to judge.

In some cases, your doctor may also use a cystoscopy to examine your bladder for additional signs of bacterial or viral infection. Your doctor may also perform a blood count test, c-reactive protein test, or a urine test to help them determine the cause of your urethritis. [5] X Research source If you are a woman, your doctor may also perform a pelvic exam to look for tenderness, redness, and any abnormal discharge from your cervix and vagina. [6] X Research source

There are 2 types of urethritis that are caused by sexually transmitted disease, gonococcal and non-gonococcal. Gonococcal is urethritis that is caused by gonorrhea, while non-gonococcal accounts for all other bacterial and viral causes. Both gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis are treated with antibiotics. If you’re only experiencing pain during urination (dysuria), you likely have a chlamydia infection, which can cause non-gonococcal urethritis.

Doxycycline and azithromycin are the most common antibiotics for non-gonococcal urethritis, which accounts for most urethritis cases. Tetracycline hydrochloride is commonly prescribed to treat gonococcal urethritis. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Because many people have gonorrhea and chlamydia at the same time, your doctor may prescribe you both an antibiotic for gonococcal urethritis and a different antibiotic for non-gonococcal urethritis.

Doxycycline is generally taken 2 times per day for 1 week. [9] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Azithromycin is generally taken in 1 single dose. [10] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Tetracycline hydrochloride is generally taken 4 times a day for 5 days. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Make sure that you complete that entire course of antibiotics. Even if you start to feel better, you’ll need to take the medication completely as directed to ensure that your urethritis is treated.

While it may be uncomfortable, informing your sexual partners is important not only to ensure their health, but to ensure that they don’t spread the sexually transmitted disease that caused your urethritis.

While sexual activity should be less painful after your urethritis has subsided, you may remain infectious for several months or years, even if you don’t have any symptoms. As a result, it is important that you talk to your partner(s) and use protection accordingly to avoid spreading an STD.

If you have currently or recently used a catheter or other urinary tract instrument, it is possible that the instrument injured your urethra and caused your urethritis. [14] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If you still need the instrument for medical reasons, your doctor can help you come up with an alternative plan based on your specific situation. Your urethritis may also have resulted from a sensitivity to a chemical substance commonly used in contraceptive jellies, soaps, creams, or spermicides. If this is the case, stop using the product immediately. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

In general, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for your urethritis to subside.

Make sure that you follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions when taking pain medication.