What are the symptoms of urethritis in men?

Male urethritis refers to inflammation of the urethra—the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body—and sometimes also transports semen during ejaculation. Symptoms typically develop within days to a few weeks after exposure to an infectious agent, though some cases (especially those caused by *Chlamydia trachomatis* or *Mycoplasma genitalium*) may be asymptomatic or present with only mild, nonspecific signs.

Common symptomatic manifestations include dysuria (a burning or stinging sensation during urination), urethral discharge—which may be clear, mucoid, or purulent depending on the causative organism—and urethral pruritus or irritation. Patients may also report increased urinary frequency or urgency, and occasionally, mild suprapubic discomfort. In more severe or untreated cases, complications such as epididymitis, prostatitis, or reactive arthritis (e.g., Reiter’s syndrome) can arise.

It is important to distinguish between gonococcal urethritis (caused by *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, often presenting with copious, thick, yellow-green purulent discharge and pronounced dysuria) and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), which accounts for approximately 70–90% of cases and is most frequently associated with *Chlamydia trachomatis*, *Mycoplasma genitalium*, or other less common pathogens. Accurate diagnosis requires nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) on first-catch urine or urethral swab specimens, as clinical presentation alone is insufficient to determine etiology.

Timely evaluation and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are essential—not only to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications but also to interrupt transmission. Sexual partners should be evaluated and treated concurrently to reduce reinfection risk. Patients are advised to abstain from sexual activity until both they and their partners have completed treatment and are symptom-free.