Do Men Get Urethritis?

Yes, men can develop urethritis—the inflammation of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. While often associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, urethritis in males can also arise from non-infectious causes, including urinary tract instrumentation (e.g., catheterization or cystoscopy), chemical irritation (e.g., from soaps or spermicides), or autoimmune conditions.

Symptoms commonly include dysuria (painful or burning urination), urethral discharge—often purulent in bacterial cases—or urethral pruritus and meatal discomfort. Some men may experience only mild symptoms or remain asymptomatic, particularly in early-stage chlamydial infection, which underscores the importance of routine STI screening in at-risk populations.

Diagnosis typically involves nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) on first-void urine or urethral swab specimens to detect pathogens like *Chlamydia trachomatis*, *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, or *Mycoplasma genitalium*. Clinical evaluation—including assessment for epididymitis, prostatitis, or reactive arthritis—is essential, as untreated urethritis may lead to complications such as infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or disseminated gonococcal infection.

First-line treatment follows national guidelines: azithromycin or doxycycline for chlamydial urethritis; ceftriaxone for gonococcal infection; and tailored regimens for *M. genitalium* when resistance is suspected. Partner notification and treatment are critical components of management to prevent reinfection and community transmission.