Why might a male experience an itchy urethra with no discharge?

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 you're experiencing persistent symptoms like these, you can use our free AI symptom checker to better understand what might be causing your discomfort and whether you should seek medical care.