Published on: 5/6/2025
An itchy urethra with no discharge in a man can be due to mild inflammation or irritation of the urethra that is not caused by a severe infection. Other possibilities include non-infectious irritants or differences in the natural bacteria living in the urethra that may cause symptoms without forming pus.
Sometimes a man might feel an itch in his urethra even if there is no noticeable discharge. This condition may be a form of urethritis, which means the tube that carries urine from the body is slightly inflamed. In many cases, this inflammation is not severe enough to produce a discharge. It can happen because of small irritations caused by chemicals in soaps, lotions, or even some fabrics. There may also be changes in the natural mix of bacteria (known as the urethral microbiota) that settle in the urethra. When these bacteria change, they can trigger an immune response that causes itching. In some cases, a very mild or early infection that does not yet cause extra fluid to be released might be the cause. This condition is sometimes called idiopathic urethritis, which basically means the cause is not clearly an infection by a known germ. If the symptom continues or worsens, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor for a closer look even when there is no discharge.
(References)
Information from your family doctor. Urethritis in men. Am Fam Physician. 2010 Apr 1;81(7):879. PMID: 20358658.
Dysuria: What You Should Know About Burning or Stinging with Urination. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Nov 1;92(9):Online. PMID: 26554482.
Plummer EL, Ratten LK, Vodstrcil LA, Murray GL, Danielewski JA, Fairley CK, Garland SM, Chow EPF, Bradshaw CS. The Urethral Microbiota of Men with and without Idiopathic Urethritis. mBio. 2022 Oct 26;13(5):e0221322. doi: 10.1128/mbio.02213-22. Epub 2022 Oct 3. PMID: 36190130; PMCID: PMC9600694.
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