"Urethritis"

[Meg770]

I'm a 22 y.o F and so far in my life I have never had any real serious issues with my health, I'm a very healthy young adult. I have had a monogamous relationship with one boyfriend for nearly a decade now and he has no problems. However, at the end of April I got what I thought was a UTI and went as I normally would to see my Gynecologist for a test and antibiotics. She ruled out any reproductive infections and my urinalysis came back negative but she gave me Cipro to treat it anyway. Went a week on Cipro, no results so I met with a Urologist. He "diagnosed" me with Urethritis. No pelvic exams, no tests past a urinalysis (negative, however I was just finishing Cipro) in fact, he didn't touch me. But I trusted him, so I went two weeks on an month's supply of Macrodantin. Nothing happened. So I go back, finally does a pelvic exam, STILL says urethritis and gives me two weeks of Bactrim. AGAIN, nothing. It's not so much that it hurts to urinate, if anything that relieves my problem... it's just constant pressure and pain. Went back to check with gynecologist to rule ot vaginal infections since I was on antibiotic therapy so long I was worried I would pass infections back and forth. She said no, and did give me some probiotics and inserts to prevent vaginitis/yeast. I have since seen an ARNP at another Urologic office and it's been nearly 2 weeks again, and I was given OTC methods for urethritis and now all the pain, pressure, burning, urgency and discomfort are back on full force (they never went away, just learned to tolerate when pain wasn't optimum). Today makes 3 months I have been dealing with this "urethritis". I have never dealt with anything so frustrating in my life. I have abstained from sex, drank nothing but water, and done anything I can possible to relieve this mess, and it's taken a toll on my life and made me depressed and most of all I am absolutely terrified of permanent damage at this point. I'm so young, and now worried. I see the ARNP again on Wednesday, but I have honestly lost a lot of faith in ever getting well.

[AmorDeJay]

Hi Meg,

I'm going through exactly the same thing. Been to my gynecologist and urologist numerous times, three different antibiotics, negative for UTI or STDs. The urologist says its urethritis. It's been over a month now. I can't take it anymore. I was wondering if you found anything out? Thank you so much.

[Meg770]

Thank you for replying. They do not think it's urethritis anymore, but I'm having worse symptoms so they're going to do a CT scan and cystoscopy. Just hope they find something. I've never worried so much about anything before. Nothing I take has helped the pain.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to comment specifically on the situation. If the urine sample has turned out completely clear without any sign of inflammation residual urethritis is an unlikely possibility. Urethritis could be both STD/ non-STD related and in a few cases the actual symptoms may continue for a few weeks beyond the subsidence of actual infection. I would suggest taking plenty of fluids and a mild anti-inflammatory medications to ease the symptoms. If the symptoms continue beyond 4-6 weeks or get severe at anytime, a review with your treating urologist may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!