Urethra - Urethra In Women

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Urethra in women

The urethra (urethra) is an elastic tube that carries urine out of the bladder. In women it is much shorter and wider than in men (3-4 cm long and 1.5 cm wide versus 16-22 cm and 8 mm, respectively). The internal opening of the urethra departs from the bladder, and the canal, passing through the urogenital diaphragm, ends on the eve of the vagina with the external opening of the urethra. The hole is rounded. It is surrounded by hard, roller-like edges. The urethra fuses with the anterior wall of the vagina and runs parallel to it. At the external entrance, the opening of the urethra is narrowed, and at the internal one, it is expanded and has a funnel-shaped shape.

Around the canal there is connective tissue, the density of which is different (in the lower parts it is most dense). The wall of the urethra itself consists of muscular and mucous membranes. The muscular layer is made up of the outer, circular layers of smooth muscles and elastic fibers. The mucous membrane is covered with epithelium, which has several layers.

The condition of the urethra can be assessed by a gynecologist during an examination.

Diseases of the urethra in women

The most common disease of the urethra in women is urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). It manifests itself as burning, itching, cramps and pain in the urethra during urination or without connection with it.

The disease can affect any woman if she is exposed to a number of dangerous factors. Among them, hypothermia, sexual hyperactivity leading to microtraumas of the urethra, malnutrition (excessive consumption of spicy, sour, fried foods and alcohol), disorders of the vaginal microflora and gynecological diseases, kidney disease (urolithiasis), weak immunity, mechanical damage in medical procedures (catheterization, smear), the pathogenic effect of toxic agents and radiation factors.

Female urethritis develops, starting with temporary exacerbations of the disease. Manifestations can be of different strength - from mild discomfort to severe cutting pains. Usually, a long time passes between exacerbations, and women are in no hurry to see a doctor. But this is a huge mistake, because after a while the pain and burning sensation will come more and more often, and the effect of antibiotics will become less effective. The most difficult stage of female urethritis is constant pain in the urethra.

What causes this unpleasant and dangerous disease? Most often these are any gynecological diseases associated with a violation of the vaginal microflora. This disorder (dysbiosis) can be caused by genital infections, among which the most common are chlamydia, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis, etc. But, in addition to them, the disease can develop under the influence of streptococci, staphylococci and other bacteria.

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Urethritis can lead to various complications: during the transition of inflammation to the bladder, cystitis develops, and if the infection continues, it can also affect the kidneys, provoking pyelonephritis. Chronic urethritis often causes deformation of the urethra, which prevents the normal excretion of urine.

Treatment of the urethra in women

Treatment of inflammation of the urethra in women involves therapy to restore the properties of the urethral wall, normal vaginal microflora and strengthen the immune system. For this, antibiotics, immunomodulators and vitamins are used.

Urethritis is difficult to treat, but the preventive measures to help prevent this disease are quite simple. It is necessary to avoid severe hypothermia, dress for the weather, observe the rules of intimate hygiene and use contraceptives. It is also important to eat right and on time, to prevent constipation in every possible way and avoid stress.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".