Which STIs are most associated with urethritis in men?

• A. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis
• B. HPV and HSV
• C. Treponema pallidum
• D. Ureaplasma urealyticum

Answer: (A)

Urethritis in men is most strongly linked to infection by the two most common sexually transmitted bacteria that inflame the urethra: Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. These organisms are the classic culprits behind urethral discharge and dysuria, and they account for the majority of infectious urethritis cases. Gonorrhea often presents with a noticeable purulent discharge, while chlamydia can be milder or even asymptomatic but still causes urethral inflammation, and they frequently occur together.

In practice, testing for urethritis focuses on detecting both organisms because they are the primary drivers and because co-infection is common. Treatments are designed to cover both pathogens to effectively resolve symptoms and prevent complications. Other pathogens like Ureaplasma urealyticum can cause nongonococcal urethritis, and HPV or HSV and Treponema pallidum lead to other clinical presentations, but they are not the most associated with urethral inflammation in men.