Introduction:
The urethra is a thin tube through which urine is ejected from the bladder and body. If born male, the urethra enters the penis through the prostate. If born female, the urethra is much shorter. It flows from the bladder to the opening in front of the vagina. The urethra is part of the urinary system. This system consists of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. The kidneys filter the blood and produce urine, a waste product. Two ureters carry urine from both kidneys to the bladder, where it is stored until emptied. Urine exits the body through a hole at the end of the urethra. This hole from the inside to the outside is called the urethral meatus.
What Is Urethrorrhagia?
Urethrorrhagia is the name for irritation and bleeding in the urethra (the passage through which urine comes out), most commonly seen in adolescent boys. The person will usually pass clear yellow color urine, followed by a few drops of bright red color at the end of the urine stream. Urethrorrhagia is a clinical condition defined as continuous or intermittent active bleeding from the external urethra unrelated to voiding and is therefore distinguished from hematuria. Associated symptoms may include burning urine or urinary retention.
How Common Is Urethrorrhagia?
Urethral bleeding can occur due to various reasons like trauma, infection, or any underlying medical condition. Its prevalence depends on its underlying cause. If individuals are experiencing the symptoms of urethrorrhagia, reaching out to healthcare professionals for urethrorrhagia treatment may be beneficial.
What Are the Causes of Urethrorrhagia?
1. In prepubertal boys, urethral bleeding is generally a benign, self-limiting phenomenon that often does not require further investigation unless it is persistent or recurrent.
2. In adults, there are multiple possible causes. Most are benign, but some are malignant, so diagnosis is very important. The causes of urethrorrhagia are listed below:
- Urethral papilloma (benign lesion on the lower part of the urinary tract).
- Benign urethral polyps (irregular growth in the urethra).
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland).
- Carcinomas of the urethra (cancer involving the urethra).
- Prostate (a gland in men that help make semen).
- Bladder neck (constriction that connects the bladder to urethra).
- Carcinomas of the urethra (in older women with vaginal atrophy).
What Are the Symptoms of Urethrorrhagia?
Urethral blood leakage can also occur during urination, with the urine initially appearing bloody, but halfway through, it becomes clear. Only 60 percent of the urine tests give a positive blood test. Another important occasional complaint is dysuria (painful urination). Gross hematuria (blood in urine) causes the urine to appear pink, red, or brown. The color difference is visibly noticed, but even a tiny amount of blood in the urine can change the color. In most cases, blood in the urine does not cause pain or other symptoms. However, bladder and back pain may occur if blood clots are present in the urine. Blood clots can cause pain when urinating or when they block the flow of urine. Microscopic hematuria is usually asymptomatic and does not change the color of the urine.
When to Get Help for Urethrorrhagia?
Immediate medical help should be sought if a person sees blood in their urine. The red color in urine is not always caused by red blood cells. Some medicines can make the urine red, such as Phenazopyridine, which relieves urinary tract symptoms. Certain foods, such as beets and rhubarb, can make the urine red. It may be difficult to tell if a change in urine color is due to blood. So it's always best to check out. Painful urination is also a sign of an underlying urinary tract condition.
How Is Urethrorrhagia Diagnosed?
A medical professional uses a medical history, physical examination, and National Institute of Health (NIH) external link urinalysis to diagnose hematuria and determine its cause. As part of the physical examination, the doctor may do a digital rectal exam in men and a pelvic exam in women.
The doctor may also order additional tests, such as:
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Blood tests are used to check for kidney problems or to detect signs of autoimmune diseases such as lupus or other diseases such as prostate cancer.
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A computed tomography (CT) scan combines X-ray and computer technology to create an image of the urinary tract.
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Cystoscopy is done to look inside the urethra and bladder using a cystoscope (a long, thin instrument with a camera attached).
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A kidney biopsy is performed in which a healthcare practitioner removes one or more small pieces of tissue from the kidney, and a pathologist studies the tissue samples under a microscope to diagnose any signs of kidney damage or disease.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of internal organs, such as the bladder and kidneys, without the use of X-rays.
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Ultrasound involves sound waves instead of X-rays to create images of internal organs such as the kidneys.
What Is the Treatment of Urethrorrhagia?
Urethrorrhagia is most often a condition that does not require specific treatment. The treatment of the underlying cause of urethrorrhagia is essential. Doctors usually advise patients to drink plenty of water to keep their urine diluted (clear to very pale yellow). This helps minimize irritation of the urethral lining. This condition is self-limiting and usually resolves on its own. In case of a reduced urine flow, the patient is advised to visit the doctor.
What Are the Complications of Urethrorrhagia?
Treatments for causes of urethrorrhagia, including medications and procedures, may each have side effects. These vary by the type of treatment. However, untreated urethrorrhagia could lead to bigger problems, especially if the cause is more severe than vigorous exercise. A healthcare provider should immediately treat any condition that causes blood in the urine. In the case of cancer or kidney disease, early detection leads to early treatment. Timely and effective management leads to better outcomes.
Conclusion
There are many things that can cause blood in the urine, including infections, strenuous exercise, and kidney disease. However, hematuria (blood in the urine) should not be ignored. Urethrorrhagia refers to urethral bleeding associated with dysuria (painful urination) and blood staining of underwear. The condition often occurs in prepubertal boys at intervals of several months over many years and has a benign, self-limiting course. Treatment in some cases requires both radiographic and endoscopic procedures, thus reducing recurrent or persistent bleeding.
