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The urethra is a tube that is the last segment of the urinary system and ends with its mouth. The anatomical structure of the coil is slightly different for men and women. As a result, it shows various susceptibility to particular diseases depending on gender. However, the conditions that directly affect the urethra are similar in both cases.
Urethra in women and men – differences
The main differences in structure of the urethra in women and men it is its length and functions. In women, the urethra is only 3–5 cm, is wider and diverts urine outside the body. In the case of men, the length of the urethra is 15 to 20 cm and has an additional task – it connects to the reproductive system, because it is through which the semen passes.
Another issue is obviously arising from anatomy course of the coil channel. In women, it extends from the bladder to the opening in the vestibule of the vagina, on the nipple. In men, the urethral pathway is longer – from the bottom of the bladder, through the prostate gland, the urogenital diaphragm, to the glans. It is because of the anatomical differences that the urethra of men and women with varying probability may be infected or injured.
Urethritis
Urethritis occurs equally often in men and women, although it is difficult to provide more accurate statistics. This is due to the frequent asymptomatic course of the disease in the case of chlamydial infection. It is the bacterial infections that lead to the inflammation of the urethra. In addition to chlamydia, the culprits may be gonorrhea, trichomoniasis or mycoplasma.
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The cause of urethritis there are sexual contacts, sometimes complications of urinary tract infections, insertion of a catheter or foreign bodies into the urethra. Symptoms of inflammation are usually urethral discharge, burning and pain when urinating, and reddening of the urethra.
Urethritis is classified into:
- Gonococcal urethritis – this is one of the forms of gonorrhea, an infectious disease that is almost exclusively sexually transmitted. In addition to urethritis, gonorrhea can cause inflammation of the throat or anus.
- non-gonococcal urethritis – a sexually transmitted disease caused by chlamydia, trichomoniasis and yeast. It is more often observed in women due to the shorter urethra than in men. Symptoms are similar to those appearing in gonorrhea, so tests are the basis for certainty as to the type of infection.
Do you want to get a diagnosis of the infections causing the symptoms of urethritis? Perform a mail-order urine analysis for U. urealyticum or U. parvum bacterial infection of the genitourinary system. You can also make a wider urogenital package in the form of shipping, additionally taking into account, inter alia, bacteria of the genus Mycoplasma, chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Urethral injuries
Apart from inflammation, the urethra is exposed to physical injuries. They are very rare in women, because the long length of this tube is covered by the pelvis, and only its tip may be damaged in exceptional circumstances. Common causes are incorrect catheterization or medical interventions, for example on the occasion of childbirth.
The male urinary system is more prone to external injuries, such as wounds, as well as blunt injuries, such as contusions. Pelvic fractures and catheterization can also be damaged by this duct leading to the bladder. Common symptoms caused by urethral damage include pain, blood or blood in the urine. Edema, fever, or difficulty urinating usually indicate complications. In men, in the event of an injury the rear section of the coil erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are possible.
Urethral cancer
Urethral neoplastic diseases are more common in women than in men. Bleeding and painful or difficult urination are uncharacteristic symptoms, but may indicate the presence of a urethral tumor. If it occurs, surgery is most often required, and sometimes radiation or chemotherapy is required.
It is sometimes associated with neoplastic changes narrowing of the urethramanifested by disturbances in urination. You should be aware that such a narrowing is sometimes also caused by inflammation, trauma or urolithiasis. It can lead to serious complications, including kidney damage.