What are the signs and symptoms of urethritis?

Updated: Dec 12, 2018
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The clinician should specifically address the following manifestations:



  • Dysuria: Dysuria is usually localized to the meatus or distal penis, worst during the first morning void, and made worse by alcohol consumption. Urinary frequency and urgency are typically absent. If present, either should suggest prostatitis or cystitis.


  • Orchalgia: Men sometimes complain of heaviness in the genitals. Associated pain in the testicles should suggest epididymitis, orchitis, or both.



Systemic symptoms

Systemic symptoms (eg, fever, chills, sweats, nausea) are typically absent but, if present, may suggest disseminated gonococcemia, pyelonephritis, arthritis, conjunctivitis, proctitis, prostatitis, epididymitis or orchitis, pneumonia, otitis media, or reactive arthritis (eg, low back pain, iritis, or rash [characteristically involving the palms of hands and soles of feet]).

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