From the Guidelines
Chronic irritation of the urethral meatus is most commonly caused by infectious or noninfectious urethritis, with symptoms including mucopurulent or purulent discharge, dysuria, and urethral pruritus, as stated in the 2024 European Association of Urology guidelines on urological infections 1.
Causes of Urethral Meatus Irritation
The causes of chronic urethral meatus irritation can be multifactorial, including:
- Infectious causes such as gonococcal urethritis (GU) and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) due to Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Trichomonas vaginalis 1
- Noninfectious causes such as chemical irritants, friction, and underlying skin conditions like lichen sclerosus (LS) 1
- Other factors such as tight clothing, soaps, bubble baths, and poor hygiene
Management and Prevention
To manage and prevent chronic urethral meatus irritation, it is essential to:
- Identify and remove the underlying cause of the irritation
- Maintain good hygiene by gently washing the area with warm water only and avoiding harsh products
- Apply barrier ointments like petroleum jelly or zinc oxide cream to protect the tissue and promote healing
- Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing that can cause friction
- Seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen, as prescription medications may be needed to treat underlying infections or conditions 1
From the Research
Causes of Chronic Irritation of the Urethral Meatus
- Intraurethral condyloma acuminata, which are warts of the genital and perianal region caused by various types of human papillomavirus (HPV), can cause chronic irritation of the urethral meatus 2.
- Urethral pain syndrome, a symptom complex including dysuria, urinary urgency and frequency, nocturia and persistent or intermittent urethral and/or pelvic pain in the absence of proven infection, can also cause chronic irritation of the urethral meatus 3.
- Postoperative indwelling catheters can cause urethral irritation, including urethral pain, urinary urgency, and perineal discomforts 4.
- Infections such as Ureaplasma urealyticum can cause acute urethral syndrome, which can lead to chronic irritation of the urethral meatus if left untreated or if treatment is delayed 5.
- Other possible causes of chronic irritation of the urethral meatus include:
- Urethral spasms
- Early interstitial cystitis
- Hypoestrogenism
- Squamous metaplasia
- Gynecological risk factors 3