Urethral syndrome
| Urethral syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | N34.3 |
| ICD-9 | 597.81 |
| eMedicine | med/3081 |
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This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2007) |
Urethral syndrome is defined as symptoms suggestive of a lower urinary tract infection but in the absence of significant bacteriuria with a conventional pathogen.[1] There are other non-infective causes that should be considered such as trauma, allergies, anatomical features such as diverticula, and post-surgical scarring.
Contents |
Presentation [edit]
Most women will give a history of chronic recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) but the cultures seem to not show any conventional bacterial growth,[2] and pyuria (more than 5 white blood cells per High Power Field) is absent. There may also be a history of these episodes often being related to sexual intercourse.
Some physicians believe that urethral syndrome may be due to a low grade infection of the Skene's glands on the sides and bottom of the urethra.[citation needed] The Skene's glands are embryologically related to the prostate gland in the male, thus urethral syndrome may share a comparable etiology with chronic prostatitis.[citation needed]
Treatment [edit]
Treatment of acute urethral syndrome is antibiotics.[vague][citation needed] For chronic urethral syndrome, a long term, low dose antibiotic treatment is given on a continuous basis or after intercourse each time if intercourse appears to trigger symptoms.[citation needed]
As a hormonal imbalance may also be considered a source for urethral syndrome, hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptive pill (birth-control pills) are also used to treat the symptoms of this condition.[3]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Hamilton-Miller JM (May 1994). "The urethral syndrome and its management". J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 33. Suppl A: 63–73. PMID 7928838.
- ^ Brumfitt W, Hamilton-Miller JM, Gillespie WA (July 1991). "The mysterious "urethral syndrome"". BMJ 303 (6793): 1–2. doi:10.1136/bmj.303.6793.1. PMC 1670265. PMID 1859947.
- ^ "eMedicine - Urethral Syndrome : Article by Martha K Terris". Retrieved 2008-09-25.
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