There are several causes of urethral pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, the urinary system is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The urethra, which sits at the terminal end of the urinary system, is responsible for removing fluid from the body. The urethra differs in length between men and women. In both men and women, however, the flow of urine through the urethra is controlled by the external urethral sphincter.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia can cause urethral pain. According to 2009 information from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease or NIAID, chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection, or STI, among Americans. The NIAID estimates that about 2.8 million new cases of chlamydia develop each year in the United States. Chlamydia, which is curable, can lead to serious health complications, including epididymitis in men and pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women, if left untreated. Although many people with chlamydia may experience few or no symptoms, possible signs and symptoms include mucus or pus discharge from the vagina or penis, and pain with urination. According to the NIAID, chlamydia signs and symptoms usually manifest within one to three weeks following infection.
Urethritis
Urethritis can cause urethral pain. The National Institutes of Health, or NIH, states that urethritis is a general term that describes all types of urethra inflammation. Common causes of urethritis include bacterial and viral infections. Bacterial agents that can cause urethritis include E. coli and sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea. Viral agents that can cause urethritis include herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus. Certain individuals have a greater risk for urethritis than others including those who engage in high-risk sexual behavior, those with a history of sexually transmitted diseases, those with numerous sexual partners, males between the ages 20 and 35, and young women in their reproductive years. Some of the signs and symptoms of urethritis differ between men and women, while others are the same. Common signs and symptoms of urethritis in men include burning pain with urination, blood in the urine, penile discharge and pain with ejaculation. Common signs and symptoms in women include burning pain with urination, abdominal pain, pelvic pain and vaginal discharge.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones can cause urethral pain. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK, kidney stones can block the flow of urine in the urethra and cause severe pain. Kidney stones are solid concretions, or masses, comprised of urinary minerals. The NIDDK states that a stone may remain in the kidney or break free and move through the urinary system. Many kidney stones pass through the urinary tract without causing pain, although a larger stone can become lodged in a ureter, bladder or urethra. Obstruction of urinary flow at any of these points can cause excruciating pain. According to the NIDDK, there are several therapies that can remove a problem stone from the urinary tract, including shock wave therapy, tunnel surgery and the use of a uteroscope to locate a kidney stone and remove or destroy it.
