Urethritis

[345medhelpFAN]

I am a 29 year old male, healthy, single.

3 years ago I came in contact with genital warts, went to my urologist and he didn't see anything.  Then I started to date someone else and she got warts.   Went back to the urologist and he didn't see anything but decided to look with a scope at my urethra.  He went all the way up to my bladder while he was there.  He said all was clear, but he did notice some "calcifications from a chronic urethritis"  He didn't make a big deal about it or even tell me to follow up.  Ironically, a month later I saw a bump, went to my dermatolgist, was treated a few times and was given the all clear.

Its always bugged me and I want to clear my mind.  My concern is that I have never had a urethritis that I am aware of.  I did have a kidney stone 5 years ago.  I have also had prostatitis, but never urethritis that I am aware of.

I do deal with anxiety that I try to manage via exercise, diet, etc.  I drink a lot of water ever since I had a kidney stone, so I do urinate frequently.  My doctor said frequent urination can also be part of anxiety if I don't really have to go.

So my questions are:

1) Can I have a low urethritis and not know it?
2) I read in some of your responses that you have never seen urethritis lead to a stricture, but do the calcifications mean trouble ahead for me?  Could they go away on their own over time?
3) I have no issues urinating, strong flow, etc ... but I am not sure if I am suppose to be concerned about possible stricture, if I am suppose to do something about calcifications, etc.

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No STD causes persistent urethritis for 3 years.  In any case, I cannot second guess a case like this, following advice from at least 2 doctors including a urologist.  This whole area is outside my expertise.  (We do not diagnose or treat such problems in my clinic, but refer to urologists.)

1) Since you apparently have no symptoms, I see no reason to be worried about persistent urethritis or any other cause for concern.

2) Gonorrhea is a form of urethritis that definitely can lead to stricture.  But I have never heard of urethral stricture resulting from NGU and certainly not from asymptomatic urethritis.

3) If you get a stricture, you will know it; it's hard to miss when you can't pee or if you develop reduced urine flow because of a stricture!  But if you remain concerned, speak with your primary care provider or a urologist about it.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[345medhelpFAN]

Meant to type low grade urethritis for question 1.

[guy1207]

Dr.

Didn't know any other way to get this to you.  But this article from Reuters might be helpful for people dealing with or wondering about how prevealent HPV is.  Thought you could use it for educational purposes.  Sorry to reply to a questions off the topic.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=healthNews&storyid=2007-02-27T213209Z_01_N27380525_RTRUKOC_0_US-HPV-WOMEN.xml&src=rss&rpc=22