Urethra

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The urethra is a tube that allows urine to leave the body. It connects the bladder to the urinary meatus. The urethra is lined with mucus-secreting glands that protect it from urine.

The urethra is different for men and women:

• Men: The urethra is a long tube that passes through the prostate and into the penis. It also carries semen.
• Women: The urethra is much shorter and runs from the bladder to open in front of the vagina.

Urethral problems can occur due to: Aging, Illness, Injury.

Symptoms of urethral syndrome include:

• Blood in urine
• Difficulty urinating
• Frequent urination
• Painful urination

Some conditions that can cause urethral pain include:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Prostatitis
• Local irritation from soaps or spermicides
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Vaginal dryness from menopause