A simple and quick test that reveals potential causes of infertility
A urethral swab is one of the most important tests in proving lower urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and HPV.
Genital tract infections are one of the leading causes of infertility today.
It is about taking a urinary tract swab , which is then sent for microbiological analysis.
It is used to prove the presence of fungal, bacterial and viral agents in the urethra.
The most important pathogens that can be tested for are:
Infections of the genital system that occur as a result of infection with these pathogens represent a serious social, financial and health problem.
In the United States, 2.5 million outpatient visits are recorded annually due to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is caused by chlamydia.
Most infected people in the early stages have no symptoms, in fact, some of the above causative agents can be dormant in the body of the carrier in a latent state.
This means that you may not have any signs of illness, but you can pass the microorganism on to a partner who may become ill.
If the infection persists for a long time, chronic conditions can occur that cause infertility of one or both partners.
The good news is that most diseases that occur as a result of infection with these pathogens are very successfully treated with antibiotic therapy.
Sometimes patients postpone going for testing because of discomfort or fear. You may have heard from friends and acquaintances that they were uncomfortable or that the test was painful.
However, the value of the test greatly outweighs the short-term discomfort of only a few seconds that it takes to take a swab.
A urethral swab is one of the main diagnostic methods of proving chlamydia, gonorrhea and HPV viruses that can have serious consequences for your and your partner’s health.
A urethral swab is performed using a thin, sterile elastic swab with a cotton swab on top. A cotton ball at the tip of the swab is first moistened to facilitate entry into the urinary tract.
During the examination, the patient lies on his back and should be calm. The beginning of the urethra is cleaned with saline or water, then a swab is taken.
A sterile swab is inserted into the urethra to a depth of about 2 centimeters and rotated slightly. After that, it is placed on a transport medium that is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Due to the anatomical position of the urethra and the presence of a large number of nerve endings in the mentioned area, taking a urethral swab brings with it a relative discomfort. However, the procedure of taking a urethral swab takes only a few seconds.
Despite the short-term discomfort, a urethral swab is a well-tolerated test. It has great diagnostic value in detecting urinary infections and sexually transmitted diseases.
Taking a urethral swab does not carry excessive risks. The test is safe, if it is performed in suitable antiseptic conditions, it does not cause complications. It is possible to feel a burning sensation during the first urination after a urethral swab due to irritation of the area.
The results of the urethral swab are ready in 2 to 10 days, depending on the causative agent that the swab is intended to detect. You can expect the results of a swab for bacterial agents in 2 to 4 days, for fungal in 6 days, and for HPV in 10 days.
2 to 4 hours before going for a urethral swab, it is necessary to avoid urination. Urine can partially wash away bacteria that are trying to detect themselves in the urethra.
In addition to this physical preparation, we always try to give our patients as much information as possible about performing the test itself in order to reduce the discomfort and fear caused by ignorance.
A urethral swab certainly carries some discomfort because it is a sensitive area. We recommend that you come to the test prepared for the fact that there will be discomfort, but that it will last for a very short time.
It is also advisable to listen carefully to the instructions of the laboratory technician and find out as much information as possible about how to perform a urethral swab so that there are as few surprises as possible during the procedure.
At the Center for Venereal Diseases of the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic, we use the most modern methods for the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
The causes of the problems are various and a thorough examination is needed in order to make a diagnosis and start with the right treatment.
We stand out for our collaborative approach and teamwork that combines experience, knowledge and cutting-edge technology to meet the specific needs of each patient.
Our goal is successful diagnosis, treatment, patient monitoring, and positive and long-term results.
In men, a urethral swab is the main diagnostic method in detecting sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infections.
In men, the urethra or urethra conducts seminal fluid and pre-ejaculate in addition to urine. A urethral swab proves the presence of any fungal or bacterial pathogen in the urethra.
A urethral swab is part of a routine urethral examination and is also used to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases such as HPV, chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Every sexually active person is exposed to potential HPV infection, regardless of gender and sexual habits. The HPV virus rarely causes symptoms to the carrier, so it is easy to spread the infection.
In men infected with HPV, it often persists throughout their lives. It is usually located under the foreskin (foreskin), along the edge of the genitals, or in the urethra.
Long-term HPV infection in men poses a risk of developing various types of tumors, most notably cancer of the penis and anus.
Chlamydial infection is a sexually transmitted disease with the largest number of infected people in our country, as well as in Europe. In men , chlamydial infections are asymptomatic in 50% to 70% of cases.
Chlamydia most often causes nonspecific inflammation of the urethra in men. Prolonged infection can lead to chronic inflammation of the urinary tract, epididymis and infertility.
Gonorrhea is one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases. In men, it causes discharge from the penis with pain and frequent urination, usually 2 to 5 days after sexual intercourse with an infected person.
In the absence of therapeutic procedures, gonorrhea eventually turns into a chronic form and can affect the prostate, testicles and epididymes and cause infertility.
A urethral swab as a diagnostic method of detecting bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens is extremely important because most of these diseases and infections are successfully treated with antibiotics, antifungals and vaccines.
Although a urethral swab is a test that is more often used in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infections in men, it is also of great importance in detecting sexually transmitted diseases in women.
A urethral swab in women plays a prominent role in the diagnosis of HPV infection. HPV or human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection that affects a large number of women and men.
Most people who are infected with the HPV virus do not know that they are carriers of this pathogen, so they can inadvertently transmit it to their partners.
An additional difficulty is that the HPV virus does not cause recognizable symptoms, so it is not only easily transmitted, but can also cause serious health consequences for the carrier in the long run.
Infection with certain, high-risk types of HPV can lead to the development of cancer of the cervix, external genitals, vagina, and anus.
Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. According to the latest data from the Croatian Institute of Public Health, cervical cancer is the 4th cancer site of women aged 30 to 39.
HPV infection, as well as the diseases that occur due to it, can be completely prevented by using the HPV vaccine.
In addition to the above, a urethral swab in women is used to prove fungal and bacterial pathogens of infection such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chlamydia infection is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection in the U.S.
Chlamydia is especially dangerous for women because it has the most negative effect on the health of the reproductive system of all sexually transmitted agents. It causes inflammation of the cervix, inflammation of the urinary tract and rectum.
In the long term, chlamydia can lead to inflammation of the pelvic area, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
Gonorrhea is another common sexually transmitted disease in the general population, and it is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Gonorrhea infection occurs during sexual intercourse, during which there is contact between the mucous membranes. The so-called vertical transmission of the disease from mother to child is also possible when passing through an infected birth canal.
Gonorrhea in women most often causes inflammation of the urinary tract and inflammation of the cervix. It is characterized by the appearance of increased vaginal discharge, a feeling of pain and burning when urinating, redness and swelling of the cervix.
Urological problems plague both men and women. The causes of the problems are various and treatment requires a thorough urological examination in order to make a good diagnosis and choose the appropriate therapeutic procedure.
Let us listen to you, examine you and do all the necessary diagnostics to find out the cause of the interference and eliminate or alleviate it.
We are especially proud of our team of doctors and nurture the collaborative principle of work that unites experience, knowledge and cutting-edge technology.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
