Chlamydial urethritis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the urethra. In males, the urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis to allow it to leave the body.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis
People can contract chlamydia by not using a condom during anal, oral, or vaginal intercourse with someone who has this STI.
Risk factors that may increase a person’s chances of contracting chlamydia include:
- becoming sexually active before the age of 25 years
- having multiple sexual partners
- engaging in sex without a condom
- having a history of previous STIs
In this article, we explain the symptoms and complications of male chlamydial urethritis. We also cover diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Share on Pinterest Symptoms of chlamydia in men include painful urination and ejaculation.
Many males who have chlamydia do not have any symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they typically present within 1 to 3 weeks of contracting the STI.
Symptoms that may indicate chlamydial urethritis include:
- thick, milky, or clear penile discharge
- painful or difficult urination, also known as dysuria
- painful ejaculation
- itching or swelling of the penis
- pain or swelling of the testicles
- soreness or irritation of the tip of the penis
Without treatment, chlamydial urethritis can lead to severe health complications.
Men who have a history of chlamydial infection or other STIs have a considerably higher risk of contracting HIV.
Chlamydial infections can progress from the urethra to the epididymis, which sits behind each testicle. It is a tube that stores sperm and carries it from the testicles to the vas deferens. The vas deferens is a duct that transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
If the infection spreads to the epididymis, it can cause inflammation in this area and lead to a condition called epididymitis. People who have epididymitis typically experience discomfort or pain in their scrotum or testicle.
Another possible complication of chlamydial urethritis is reactive arthritis, a condition that was formerly known as Reiter’s syndrome. Reactive arthritis causes swelling and pain in the body’s joints and usually results from a bacterial infection, such as chlamydia.
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, C. trachomatis
Reactive arthritis typically affects the knees and ankles, but people can also experience symptoms in their toes, fingers, and lower back.
The symptoms of reactive arthritis include:
- redness, swelling, and pain in and around the affected joints
- pain in the lower back
- pain in the heels
- inflammation of the urinary tract
- inflammation in the eyes or eyelids
- fever
- weight loss