Published on: 5/6/2025
An itchy urethra in men can be caused by infections or irritation, and it’s important to get checked by a doctor to know exactly why. You should talk to a healthcare professional if the itching continues, especially if you notice other symptoms.
An itchy urethra may be a sign of urethritis, which means the tube that carries urine out of your body is irritated. Sometimes infections like those from gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause this itch, and this is known as a sexually transmitted infection. Other times, the itch might come from non-infectious causes—for example, harsh soaps, chemicals in lotions, or even friction from clothing can irritate the skin. If you have an itchy urethra, it is very important to see a doctor. They might ask you questions about your symptoms and if you have had unprotected sex or noticed any unusual discharge. You might need a simple test, such as a urine test, to figure out if an infection is present. Once the cause is known, your doctor can suggest the right treatment, like antibiotics if there’s an infection. Until you get a clear answer, it’s a good idea to avoid sexual contact so you don’t risk spreading an infection. Remember, a proper check-up is the safest way to get healthy again.
(References)
Nayak AK, Anoop TV, Sacchidanand S. A clinico-etiological study of urethritis in men attending sexually transmitted disease clinic at a tertiary hospital. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2017 Jul-Dec;38(2):136-141. doi: 10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_98_15. PMID: 30148266; PMCID: PMC6085943.
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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