Understanding Urethritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention

2023-06-09 09:25:27

Urethritis is a common female disease, and it can cause complications such as hematuria and nephritis. “TOPick Consultation Room” invited Hong Kong Adventist Hospital-Stubbs Road Urology Consultant Dr. Wang Minghao to dismantle the symptoms and risk factors of urethritis.

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Causes of urethritis

Dr. Wang said that UTI generally refers to inflammation of the urinary system, most of which are caused by bacteria entering the body through the urethra. Among them, lower urinary tract infection is the most common, including urethritis and cystitis.

He continued that women are more likely to suffer from urethritis than men, because men’s urethras are about 10 to 15 centimeters long, while women’s urethras are shorter, only about 4 centimeters, and bacteria can easily enter the urethra and bladder.

He said that women of any age are likely to suffer from urethritis, among menopausal women, due to the decrease of female hormones, the natural barrier of the lower body is weakened, and bacteria are more likely to enter the urethra, increasing the risk of infection.

Urethritis Symptoms

Dr. Wang pointed out that if a patient is infected with urethritis, there may be symptoms of painful urination, frequent urination, and urgency, which may lead to hematuria in severe cases. If the bacteria enter the kidney along the ureter, it can lead to nephritis, and the patient will have high fever, waist pain, loss of appetite and other symptoms. He continued that urethritis can recur, and if there are more than 3 episodes within a year, one should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Hong Kong mother was infected 4 times in 1 year and developed nephritis

In clinical practice, Dr. Wang once encountered a patient aged about 30 to 40 who was often infected with urethritis after childbirth. The episodes occurred 4 to 5 times a year. Later, he developed nephritis and developed high fever and other symptoms. He needed to be admitted to the hospital for examination. After understanding, it was found that the patient did not drink enough water, liked to drink soda, ate spicy and irritating food, and was usually busy taking care of children, and often resisted urination. These factors all increased the risk of urethritis infection.

Dr. Wang said that if the condition is mild, the patient can relieve the condition by drinking plenty of water or taking anti-inflammatory drugs; if the condition is more serious, the patient should receive antibiotic treatment. The above-mentioned case was more fortunate. The patient did not need to take preventive antibiotics. Through changes in life and eating habits, the situation has been greatly improved.

Risk factors for urethritis infection

Dr. Wang pointed out that to prevent urethritis, we can start with living habits, and the following five major traps will increase the risk of infection. He reminded women to pay more attention and make improvements.

  • often hold back urine
  • Drinking less water, it is recommended to drink 8 glasses of water a day, a total of about 2 liters
  • Wipe from back to front after going to the toilet, it is easy for bacteria from the anus to enter the urethra; the correct way is to wipe from front to back
  • Not passing urine after sex
  • Eating unclean food, such as improperly handled sashimi, salad, undercooked pork, E. coli may enter the urinary system through the blood, leading to infection

As for the common saying that “drinking cranberry juice can effectively prevent urethritis”, Dr. Wang said that there is no strong medical basis, “but if all the preventive methods are ineffective, I have no objection to trying, but pay attention to some cranberry juice The sugar content is high, and diabetic patients may not be suitable for consumption.”


Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road Urology Consultant Wang Minghao. (Photo by Wen Zijian)

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Reporter: Shen Peishan

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