Urethritis is inflammation of the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body (urethra). It can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection (like some sexually transmitted infections), irritation from soap or spermicide, or injury.
Symptoms of urethritis can include:
- Pain or burning during urination (dysuria).
- An urgent need to urinate.
- A need to urinate more often than usual.
- A clear, yellow, or green discharge from the urethra.
When urethritis is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic medicine is used to treat it.
Current as of: April 9, 2025