The urethra is a vital part of the urinary tract. Its main job is to carry urine out of the body. In men, this channel also carries semen from the reproductive tract. Most people won't have problems with the urethra, but a few of us may suffer from benign no cancer urethral lesions. The urethra is a tube-like organ that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
In males, the urethra starts at the bladder and runs through the prostate gland, perineum the space between the scrotum and the anus , and the penis. In women, the urethra is much shorter: it runs from the bladder to just in front of the vagina and opens outside the body.
Normal urine flow is painless and can be controlled. The stream is strong and the urine is clear with no visible blood. A lesion is a damaged part of an organ or tissue. The defect keeps the organ from working the way it should. Lesions can be caused by an accident, infection, or the way the organ grows. Some causes are:. Non-cancerous growths in men are linked to warts on the penis shaft.
These lesions are often caused by the human papilloma virus HPV. See More See Less. Lichen sclerosis is a lasting skin problem of the penis end that doesn't have a known cause. LS is marked by pale, shiny, whitish skin around the outlet of the urethra. This skin can turn into a scar over time.
This is thought to start in early childhood and progress through adulthood. The scar can make the urethra thinner urethral stricture. This can make it harder to pee. Other symptoms are soreness, itching, and cracking skin, sometimes with ulcerations and bleeding. Uncircumcised men with this problem can have trouble pulling back the penis foreskin.
A urethral stricture is when part of the urethra narrows. This can be caused by scar tissue forming in the urethra. This disease is described in the Urethral Stricture section on this website. The symptoms of urethral stricture disease are:. Your urologist mostly finds urethral strictures by testing a urine sample, using an x-ray test retrograde urethrography , and looking inside your body with a long, thin telescope with a light at the end cystoscope.
A urethral polyp is a rare, irregular growth that most often appears at birth. It's most common in females. This polyp is often made up of fibrous tissue. It may also include some smooth muscle, small cysts, or nerve tissue, all covered with a thin protective layer of tissue. Urethral polyps are found with a cystoscope. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. Wearing loose garments and breathable cotton underwear helps remove extra moisture.
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Human body Female urethra Female Urethra Overview. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Anatomy and function Diagram Female urethra conditions Symptoms of a urethral condition Health tips What is the female urethra? Anatomy and function of the female urethra. Explore the interactive 3-D diagram below to learn more about the female urethra. Female urethra conditions. Urethritis Urethritis refers to inflammation of the urethra.
This can cause a range of symptoms, including: increased urge to urinate burning sensation while urinating releasing small amounts of urine at a time cloudy or foul-smelling urine blood in urine pelvic pain Urethritis sometimes develops in response to a recent urinary procedure or placement of a catheter.
How to find your urethra? Here are some steps to take to easily find your urethra:. Wash your hands. Get a mirror. Use a flashlight. Do not mistake your vagina as the urethra. What is UTI? Symptoms of UTI include:. Cloudy, dark, bloody, foul-smelling urine Frequent urination with small volumes Painful, burning sensation while urinating Pain in the center of the pelvis. Higher UTI risk in women is due to two factors: female urethras are around 4 cm , which is significantly shorter than male urethras, which are around 20 cm , making it easier for germs to reach the bladder.
Always wash your hands. Use pre-lubricated, non-touch catheters optional. Clean your urethral opening with an antiseptic wipe. Ensure complete drainage. Other tips for self-catheterization. Do not force the catheter. In males, the urethra is much longer, about 20 cm 7 to 8 inches in length, and transports both urine and semen. The first part, next to the urinary bladder, passes through the prostate gland and is called the prostatic urethra.
The second part, a short region that penetrates the pelvic floor and enters the penis , is called the membranous urethra.
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