The infection can cause persistent bladder infections that may eventually result in bladder cancer. Urethritis Urethritis is an infection of the urethra, the channel that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Urethritis may be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. In women, the organisms generally travel to the urethra from the vagina. In most cases, the bacteria come from the lower intestine and reach the vagina from the anus.
Men are much less likely to develop urethritis.
When men do develop urethritis, the gonococcal organism is a very common cause. Although this organism may infect the urethra in women, the vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes are more likely to be infected. Chlamydia and the herpes simplex virus also can be transmitted sexually and can cause urethritis. In men, urethritis usually begins with a discharge from the urethra. The discharge contains pus when the gonococcal organism is involved or mucus when other organisms are involved.