What Are the Common Causes of Pain in the Urethra?

There are several things that can cause pain in the urethra. One reason is a urethral stricture. This means the tube gets narrow because of scar tissue, which can happen after an injury or swelling. This process can be painful, especially when urine flows through the tight spot. Another cause is a urethral injury. This injury might happen because of accidents, trauma during sports, or even during certain medical procedures like catheter placement. When the urethra gets hurt, it can become swollen and painful. Infections or inflammation, whether from a urinary tract infection or other irritants, can also lead to pain in this area. Additionally, some people have what is called urethral pain syndrome. In this condition, there is ongoing pain without a clear injury or infection to explain the discomfort. Understanding the cause of the pain is important, and treatments usually target reducing the inflammation, treating an infection if it is there, or repairing the damage in cases of injury.