What drugs to treat urethritis in women

How can female urethritis be cured?

Contrary to popular belief, urethritis is not just a male disease. It is equally widespread in both sexes, but in men it is diagnosed more often, along with prostatitis. This is due to the fact that in women the symptoms are mild or completely absent. Unfortunately, this aggravates the disease, since strong symptoms are already observed in a rather neglected, most often chronic stage. Urethritis is almost always associated with some disease of the genitourinary system of an inflammatory and infectious nature. Of course, it is best to consult a doctor at the slightest suspicion and discomfort.

When urethritis, the walls of the urethra (urethra) become inflamed. In women, it is only 1 or 2 centimeters long, but quite wide. You can look at a schematic photo on the Internet to better represent its appearance. The anatomical structure determines the ease of penetration of pathogens into the bladder and the absence of urinary outflow disturbances with a significant edema of the urethral mucosa. The disease occurs in the immediate vicinity of the rectal passage, which can cause the spread of infections and the occurrence of intestinal diseases.

Of course, urethritis is not a fatal disease, but it delivers very unpleasant sensations that interfere with comfortable life. It is also dangerous with health complications. In women, 2 diseases often occur in parallel - cystitis and urethritis. Cystitis is the simplest complication of urethritis. Therefore, its treatment should be complete and timely - if you start the inflammatory process, then an infection may develop, the complications of which are difficult to treat and extremely dangerous.

Medicines for urethritis in women should have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. It is not recommended to independently choose a means of therapy, because improper treatment will cause irreparable harm in the form of the development of resistance of pathogens to the drug. In addition, it is impossible to independently guess the causative agent of inflammation, which caused urethritis. Doctors, knowing the features of the clinical course of the disease, rely on the result of urine tests. Only after them can you select effective pills for urethritis in women.

Anti-inflammatory properties have:

The doctor may prescribe the drug in the form of vaginal suppositories, tablets, solution for application and ointment. The choice of medicine depends on the type of disease and the severity of clinical manifestations.

How is an antibiotic chosen?

The group of these agents includes natural substances (waste products of plants, bacteria and animals) and their synthetic analogues that kill or break the resistance of infectious particles. The results of sensitivity and flora analyzes are obtained in about a week. At this time, the doctor needs to prescribe a drug that will alleviate the patient's condition. A broad-spectrum antibiotic is usually prescribed, which affects several types of infections at once.

Such drugs include:

• Tetracycline and analogues;
• cephalosporins;
• macrolides.

The names of drug classes are related to their chemical structure. Aminocephalosporin acid serves as the basis for the synthesis of cephalosporins. They have a strong effect, as they inhibit the enzymes that develop resistance to penicillin. Cephalosporins are divided into four generations according to the breadth of their involvement. Among the drugs in this group there are narrowly targeted drugs that kill staphylococci:

Antibiotics that act on a diverse flora, including Proteus, Streptococcus and Gonococcus - third and fourth generation cephalosporins:

• Ceftriaxone;
• Cefixime;
• Ceftazidime;
• Cefotaxime;
• Cefoperazone;
• Cefepim;
• Ceftibuten;
• Cefpir.

The tetracycline group contains antibiotics that can suppress protein production in a microbial cell. This action of drugs is called bacteriostatic. They stop the metabolic processes in the microbe, which then weakens the pathogenic properties and gradually dies out. Urethral pathogens streptococci, staphylococci are sensitive to this, but they do not affect enterococci and proteus. The most well-known tools are:

• Doxycycline;
• Tetracycline hydrochloride

The following products are available in creams and gels:

Doctors have combination preparations of antifungal agents and antibiotics at their disposal. The combination of cephalosporins and tetracyclines reduces their effectiveness. Possessing a bacteriostatic effect, macrolides inhibit the reproduction of microorganisms. They destroy specific pathogens:

Chlamydia; ureaplasma; mycoplasmas; spirochetes.The group of azalides (macrolides) includes:

• Josamycin;
• Azithromycin;
• Erythromycin;
• Clarithromycin.

Almost all of these drugs are contraindicated for use during pregnancy and lactation, as they have a toxic effect on the formation of the child and fetus. It is not easy for a specialist to choose a drug. You also need to consider that antibiotics do not combine well with alcohol, which significantly reduces their activity.

Other anti-inflammatory drugs

Sulfanilamides were used before antibiotics. These drugs are synthesized on the basis of white streptocide (sulfonic acid) and act on chlamydia, bacteria and other microorganisms. With urethritis, drugs are prescribed that are excreted in the urine and are less toxic to the kidneys. These tools include:

Bactrim will create a concentration in the urine sufficient for a therapeutic effect. In practice, combined drugs are more often used, such as:

• Co-trimoxazole (Biseptol, Bactrim), which contains Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim;
• Sulfatone, which consists of Trimethoprim + Sulfamonometoxin;

The combination of drugs provides a wider and more effective action.

A group of nitrofurans blocks the enzymes of microorganisms responsible for respiration. They are used as topical treatments (douches, washes, baths and vaginal tampons). Easy to use:

• Furacilin (Nitrofural);
• Furazolidone;
• Furazidin (Furagin).

Solutions do not lose activity with purulent discharge from the urethra. Furagin and Furadonin are often used for urinary tract infections. They are excreted together with urine and due to this they create a large concentration of the drug in the urethra. They also have negative side effects - they cause vomiting and nausea. Also, doctors sometimes advise injecting sea buckthorn or rosehip oil into the affected urethra.

Fluoroquinolones block DNA synthesis in a microbial cell. The maximum effect is exerted on gram-negative bacteria. They are used with a positive result in urethritis that is resistant to other drugs. New means have increased activity:

• Ciprofloxacin;
• Pefloxacin;
• Ofloxacin;
• Fleroxacin;
• Norfloxacin;
• Lomefloxacin.

The group of fluoroquinolones also includes such drugs as:

• Nevigramon;
• Gramurin;
• Negro;
• oxolinic acid.

Treatment of specific urethritis

If the patient has pathogens that are specific (gonococci, fungi, chlamydia, mycoplasmas, Trichomonas) and obtained sexually, then special means are used, such as:

For urethritis of gonorrheal etiology, certain types of antibiotics are effective. To get rid of Trichomonas are assigned:

Chlamydia is treated with a combination of corticosteroids and an antibacterial drug such as prednisolone and dexamethasone. Only such treatment can prevent recurrence of the infection. With herpetic urethritis, the patient is treated with antiviral drugs:

• Famciclovir;
• Aciclovir;
• Valacyclovir.

In choosing the treatment of urethritis, one has to observe the clinical course, inflammation of the urethra and vagina. It is important to take medications and injections for severe symptoms. It is also necessary to apply local forms of therapy, such as douching with a special disinfectant solution, vaginal suppositories and baths.

Suppositories for urethritis for women:

• antibacterial drugs such as Nystatin and Hexicon;
• means that activate local immunity: Viferon and Genferon;
• probiotics that restore the bacterial flora: Gynoflor and Acyclat.

Antiseptics differ from synthetic drugs in that they spread throughout the body with the bloodstream to “hit” pathogenic cells and act exclusively on the surface of the vagina and urethra. Urologists recommend the following drugs for the treatment of urethritis in women, produced in the form of solutions:

Folk remedies

Treatment of female urethritis using folk recipes enhances the effect of anti-inflammatory drugs and is recommended by doctors during recovery and after the elimination of acute symptoms of the disease, to consolidate the therapeutic effect. However, as an independent tool, it is ineffective.

The most recognized way is decoctions of plants, which are added to boiled water for douching, baths and wetting tampons. The raw material is brewed in a thermos overnight and consumed during the day after filtration. Herbs that are used for urethritis have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Some berries and plants are natural diuretics.They "cleanse" the woman's urethra and carry out microorganisms with urine. Consider the well-known tools:

Parsley has a selective effect on the urinary tract. In addition to diuretic, it has an antimicrobial effect on pathogenic pathogens. Fresh juice of leaves, rhizomes is suitable for treatment. It is recommended to cook the broth in milk, and not in water, or to simmer in the oven. This will eliminate the irritating effect on the stomach. Cranberry is a wonderful natural healer, contains active ingredients in large quantities, which contribute to the fight against foreign microorganisms. According to the composition of vitamins, cranberries are indispensable in restoring immunity. It is perfectly stored fresh and does not lose its properties when frozen. Has a diuretic effect. With urethritis, cranberries are consumed in the form of berries, juice, fruit drinks, and together with mdom. Linden is one of the most powerful natural antiseptics. Neutralizes toxins and bacterial products. Some doctors consider it equal to St. John's wort for its therapeutic effect. For a woman's body, it is doubly useful, since linden flower extract contains plant estrogens. Brewed like tea. It is recommended to drink 5 glasses every day. You can add MD to taste. All of the examples of natural remedies given require priming for at least a week, preferably ten days. You can also use:

• corn silk;
• thuja shoots;
• black currant, lingonberry and mint leaves.

Cranberry is a wonderful natural healer, contains active ingredients in large quantities, which contribute to the fight against foreign microorganisms. According to the composition of vitamins, cranberries are indispensable in restoring immunity. It is perfectly stored fresh and does not lose its properties when frozen. Has a diuretic effect. With urethritis, cranberries are consumed in the form of berries, juice, fruit drinks, and together with mdom. Linden is one of the most powerful natural antiseptics. Neutralizes toxins and bacterial products. Some doctors consider it equal to St. John's wort for its therapeutic effect. For a woman's body, it is doubly useful, since linden flower extract contains plant estrogens. Brewed like tea. It is recommended to drink 5 glasses every day. You can add MD to taste. All of the examples of natural remedies given require priming for at least a week, preferably ten days. You can also use:

• corn silk;
• thuja shoots;
• black currant, lingonberry and mint leaves.

Treatment of female urethritis greatly complicates pregnancy. Antibacterial agents have many contraindications. Especially carefully it is necessary to control the urinary tract in the first trimester. Obstetricians use local treatments and herbal anti-inflammatory drugs. The list of funds, patterns of use and prices for them is quite wide. Specific medications must be prescribed by a doctor. The drugs listed in the article are tested and recommended by doctors, they have excellent reviews.

A woman at any age needs to monitor her health. Susceptibility to infection by pathogenic flora during menopause requires immune support and prevention with the help of home folk remedies. Only under this condition will you achieve a complete cure. The doctor will tell you the most suitable protection options. On the forums you can find useful recipes and see reviews of various drugs.

Symptoms of urethritis in women, treatment and complications of the disease

A disease such as urethritis is heard by most people, but many people unfairly believe that the disease affects only men. In fact, the prevalence of the disease is equally high among both sexes, but diagnostic urethritis is detected more often and earlier in men than in women.

The fact is that with a disease such as urethritis in women, the symptoms may be mild or completely absent. This feature of the course of most female urethritis is a prognostically unfavorable circumstance, since the prolongation of the disease does not lead to anything other than chronicization of the process.

As noted above, urethritis is a disease with a high prevalence and is almost always associated with some kind of infectious and inflammatory disease of the genitourinary system. Any, even the most serious disease, is easier to cure at the initial stage of development. This rule also applies to urethritis. At the slightest suspicion of this disease, a woman should immediately consult a doctor.

The concept of urethritis

The basis of urethritis is inflammation of the walls of the urethra (urethra), caused by some causative factor. The female urethra has a short length of about 1-2 cm and is quite wide.The anatomical structure of the urethra in women determines the ease of penetration of pathogens into the bladder, as well as the absence of a violation of the outflow of urine, even with significant swelling of the urethral mucosa.

Urethritis, of course, is not a life-threatening disease, but it delivers very unpleasant sensations that deprive you of comfortable life, and is also dangerous for its complications for women's health.

In women, two diseases very often occur in parallel - urethritis and cystitis, and cystitis is the simplest complication of urethritis (see cystitis in women - symptoms, treatment). That is why the treatment of urethritis should be timely and complete - if this inflammatory process is started, an ascending infection may develop, the complications of which are dangerous and difficult to treat.

Causes of urethritis in women

The leading role in the occurrence of this inflammatory process of the urethra is played by various infections, less important in the development of urethritis is irritation of the urethra by non-infectious factors. As a result, urethritis is classified into non-infectious and infectious. The latter, in turn, is divided into specific and nonspecific infectious urethritis.

Nonspecific urethritis is a classic purulent inflammation. Symptoms are similar regardless of which microorganism caused the inflammatory process. Most often, streptococci, staphylococci and E. coli act as causative agents of such urethritis.

Specific infectious urethritis occurs due to infections transmitted to a woman sexually. In this case, the symptoms of urethritis will vary depending on the infectious agent.

Specific infectious urethritis can be caused by gonococci (gonorrheal), trichomonads (trichomonas), candida fungi (candida), chlamydia (chlamydia), mycoplasmas (mycoplasma).

There is also a viral infectious urethritis, the main causative agents of which are herpes viruses and genital warts.

Non-infectious urethritis can be caused by several reasons:

• Urolithiasis, in which small stones pass through the urethra and damage the mucous layer with sharp edges;
• malignant tumors of the urethra, which are accompanied by inflammatory reactions;
• urethral injury after cystoscopy, catheterization, due to deliberate irritation of the urethra with various objects;
• allergic diseases;
• gynecological diseases;
• venous congestion in the vessels of the pelvis;
• First intercourse.

There are 2 ways of infection with urethritis of infectious origin: sexual or hematogenous. The sexual route of transmission is realized during unprotected proximity with a sick person, hematogenous - when the pathogen enters the bloodstream or lymph from the focus of local chronic inflammation (carious teeth, chronic sinusitis, tonsillitis, tuberculosis, etc.).

Factors contributing to the development of urethritis are:

• Decrease in protective capabilities due to serious illnesses, malnutrition, diets, beriberi;
• Low hygiene culture, non-compliance with the rules of individual hygiene;
• The presence of chronic inflammatory processes;
• Diseases of the genitourinary system;
• Injuries to the genital organs;
• Hypothermia;
• Alcoholism;
• Stress, psycho-emotional overload;
• The period of pregnancy, when the immune system is weakened, and the body undergoes serious hormonal changes.

General symptoms of urethritis

Urethritis in women very rarely occurs with vivid symptoms. As with many diseases, urethritis is characterized by an incubation period lasting from several minutes to one or two months, when no manifestations of the disease are observed. However, even after this latent period, urethritis can develop without the development of any specific manifestations - about half of the cases of female urethritis are asymptomatic. This kind of chronic urethritis in women does not give symptoms, but at the same time it is contagious and easily transmitted during sexual intercourse, and it is also dangerous with complications that occur against the background of seemingly complete health.

Read also on the topic:

Specific and nonspecific urethritis differs in clinical picture.

There are common signs characteristic of acute urethritis, both specific and nonspecific:

• itching and various kinds of discomfort during urination (pulling, squeezing feeling);
• periodic aching pain, pain in the pubic area;
• discharge of various nature from the urethra, up to purulent;
• blood in the urine;
• Sensation of "glued" urethra in the morning.

The listed symptoms are not necessarily present at the same time, rather, some of them will prevail over others in severity. Another distinctive feature of the course of urethritis is the absence of general symptoms, such as hyperthermia (fever), weakness, etc.

The chronic course of urethritis is characterized by the absence of any signs, and only with an exacerbation of the process do certain manifestations of the pathology occur.

Specific symptoms depending on the causative agent of urethritis

Specific infectious urethritis caused by one or another infectious agent has a number of symptoms, the manifestation of which makes it possible to suspect the presence of a specific etiological agent in the body.

Based on the foregoing, it becomes clear that even specific infectious urethritis does not differ in any violent symptoms, and differential diagnosis between the described infections is carried out only by doctors.

Diagnosis of urethritis

During the examination by a doctor, hyperemia of the external opening of the urethra and adjacent tissues, pain on palpation and discharge from the urethra can be detected. It is mandatory to assign:

• General examination of urine and blood.
• And also an extended study of urine according to Nichiporenko.
• Bacteriological examination of urine allows you to accurately determine the etiological pathogen of urethritis; in parallel, a sensitivity test of the identified infectious agent to antibiotics is carried out.
• The study of biological material (scraping from the urethra) by PCR is the most accurate diagnostic technique, since the biopsy is taken directly from the affected area.
• Urine test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (result expected within 10-12 weeks)

Urethrocystoscopy (a type of ureteroscopy) examines the urethra and bladder. Ultrasound diagnostics of the pelvic organs allows you to fully assess the condition of the organs of the genitourinary system.

Complications of urethritis

Complications of urethritis most often develop with a long, latent course of the disease or in the absence of treatment. The primary complication of urethritis is most often cystitis. Vaginitis and vulvovaginitis are often diagnosed. More serious inflammatory processes in the female genital area, such as colpitis, adnexitis (see inflammation of the appendages, symptoms, treatment), endometritis, occur when the infectious process spreads through the genital tract in an ascending way. The most unfavorable outcome of urethritis is female infertility (see upland uterus for infertility).

Treatment of acute urethritis

Treatment of uncomplicated urethritis does not require hospitalization and takes place at home. A woman needs to clearly follow the doctor's prescriptions and periodically visit the clinic to monitor the progress of treatment.

The main and most effective method of treating urethritis in women and men is antibiotic therapy (with the exception of diseases with viral and fungal etiology). The choice of antibiotic is very important for the effectiveness and usefulness of treatment - the identified causative agent of urethritis must be highly sensitive to the selected drug.

In case of urethritis, antibacterial drugs with a wide spectrum of action are initially prescribed. This is done in order not to waste time and not start an infection, since bacteriological examination and setting the sensitivity of bacteria take some time.

Antibiotics can be given as:

• oral tablets in 81.3% of cases of acute urethritis
• Intravenous injections 0.2% and intramuscular injections 18.5%
• intravaginal suppositories and installations - infusion of an antibiotic into the urethra through a catheter
• monotherapy i.e. use of 1 antibiotic in 41% of cases
• combination of 2 drugs in 41%
• 3 antibiotics in 13%
• 4 drugs in 5% of cases

The most commonly used drugs for acute urethritis in women, which are prescribed depending on the causative agent of the disease, are presented in the table.

Gonococcal + atypical pathogens (mixed urethritis)

What drugs to treat urethritis in women - suppositories, tablets

Urethritis is an inflammatory process of the urethra, in women it is milder and almost asymptomatic. But it poses a significant danger to the health and performance of organs.

Drugs that help in the treatment of urethritis in women should have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic effects. You should not choose a medicine for treatment on your own, as you can cause significant harm to yourself by developing resistance to medications in pathogenic organisms.

Yes, and it is impossible to determine the causative agent of the inflammatory process that caused urethritis in a woman.Specialists who understand its clinical features have high hopes for laboratory tests. After studying them, you can start a selection of the most effective medicines.

Basic treatment

Having decided on the diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe a therapeutic course for the patient. Antibiotics are prescribed to help destroy pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the pathogen.

Antibacterial drugs

Often, some type of bacteria can become the causative agent of the disease. For this reason, the main place in the treatment is given to antibacterial drugs, as they can eliminate the infection in the urethra. They are prescribed after examining the indications of laboratory tests.

Self-treatment associated with taking antibiotics is dangerous, and the reason for this is the different effects of drugs on pathogenic bacteria. Yes, and side effects are possible from drugs in this group.

Immunomodulators

The main negative effect of antibiotics on the body is the weakening of the immune system. To prevent this and support the body, the doctor prescribes an immunomodulator. The drug of this group has a local effect and can be used internally. Basically, doctors recommend:

Homeopathic remedies

If there are contraindications or side effects are created when using antibiotics, experts recommend an alternative treatment option. It consists in taking homeopathic medicines.

If the dosage is calculated correctly, then such drugs can quickly get rid of the disease. Western thuja, cuttlefish ink, Kopaiva, Argentum nitricum, Kanta are very popular

Often, patients believe that the use of such ingredients is absolutely safe, and accept them by their own decision. But this attitude to the treatment process only exacerbates the course of the disease. For this reason, to start taking the medicine, it is necessary to consult with your doctor.

Herbal preparations

Plants of the medicinal group and their collections can be prescribed as an additional remedy to the main treatment course. Their main purpose is to reduce the inflammatory process and eliminate symptoms.

The currant leaf helps a lot. To prepare a decoction, you need to take two tablespoons of a dry and crushed leaf, pour a couple of glasses of boiling water, soak for about half an hour. The infusion prepared in this way is drunk in one day.

Another remedy is dried linden flowers. They are brewed, kept for about fifteen minutes, they drink one or two glasses at night. A good effect is created by herbal preparations from horsetail, plantain or wheatgrass.

Pills for the treatment of certain types of urethritis

When the identified pathogens are specific forms and are obtained as a result of infection of the genital organs, special medicinal formulations should be used.

Fungal urethritis is treated with Nystatin, Lamisil, Fluconazole.

If the disease has a gonorrheal etiology, then the effect can be achieved with some types of antibiotics.

Trichopolum, Tiberal, Flagyl and Tinidazole can be prescribed for Trichomonas.

Chlamydia should be treated with a combination of an antibiotic and a corticosteroid. Only this form of treatment will help prevent infectious relapse.

The most popular drugs in therapy

In the treatment of urethritis, several types of medicines can be used.

Today, two types of vaginal preparations are known - tablets and suppositories. Both medicinal compositions have a good effect on the disease, perfectly eliminate its symptoms.

However, the main difference is that the tablets are much more difficult to enter and dissolve slowly. For this reason, most women prefer suppositories.

Suppositories for urethritis in women

They are divided into several types:

Today there are candles that create a combined type of impact. They contain all the necessary components, so there is no need to simultaneously take several types of tablets or suppositories. According to the method of administration, suppositories are divided into rectal and vaginal. Only after determining the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes this or that medicine.

Medicines of the vaginal group have already proved to be effective means. They have some distinctive features:

Treatment with candles perfectly helps to get rid of the disease. Fixed assets include:

Hexicon. It functions on the basis of chlorhexidine. It has no contraindications, it has an excellent therapeutic and antibacterial effect in the initial stages of the disease, it destroys fungal bacteria. May be given to pregnant women. The recommended dosage is twice a day. The course of treatment is from five to fifteen days. Macmirror.Its active ingredients are nystatin and nifuratel. Excellent help in the treatment of urethritis, does not create a toxic effect. It is allowed to take within one to one and a half weeks. Polygynax. Contains nystatin and neomycin. It has an excellent antibacterial effect, but it is forbidden to take it at an early stage of pregnancy or nursing mothers. Diclofenac. It perfectly destroys various bacteria, it is not recommended for stomach ulcers, heart or kidney diseases. It is prescribed for pregnant women in the first and last three months. Palin. It is used very rarely. The drug has an excellent antibacterial effect. For pregnant women, the drug is contraindicated. Pills for the disease The main way to treat urethritis is to take pills. Ofloxacin is considered the most effective and used agent. Tablets have an effect on almost all bacteria, the first results of improvement can be felt a couple of hours after taking. No more than two tablets are prescribed per day.

Another remedy is Lomefloxacin. This drug is based on the suspension of the development and spread of bacteria. One tablet should be consumed daily.

Ointments for women

When using ointments in the treatment, certain rules should be followed in order to give the therapeutic course maximum effectiveness.

As a supplement, homeopathic medicines and herbal remedies can be prescribed. It is not necessary to use them, but they create a certain effect.