If you’ve been diagnosed with urethritis but are still struggling with ongoing pain or discomfort, you’re not alone—and there’s a good chance that the pain after urethritis diagnosis you’re feeling might not be from an infection at all. While urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) is often initially caused by infection, persistent symptoms even after treatment could be rooted in something different altogether: your pelvic floor muscles.
Let’s break this down and explore what might really be going on, especially if your test results came back clear, the antibiotics didn’t help, and you’re left wondering, “Why am I still in pain?”
What Is Urethritis?
The term urethritis combines “urethra” (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) with “-itis” (meaning inflammation). So urethritis refers to inflammation of the urethra. It can affect both men and women, but in this context, we’re focusing on men—particularly those who have persistent pain after an initial urethritis diagnosis.
Common symptoms include:
- Burning with urination
- Pain or aching in the penis
- Sensation of nerve pain
- Discomfort in the scrotum, rectum, or even testicles
If this sounds like you and nothing obvious was found through urological exams or tests, your pelvic muscles might be the hidden culprit.
The Anatomy You Should Know
Before diving deeper, let’s go over a bit of essential anatomy.
Imagine your pelvis as a bowl made of bones: your spine at the back, your hip bones on the sides, and your pubic bone in front. Lining this bowl are muscles known as the pelvic floor—a group of about 14 interconnected muscles.
These muscles:
- Stretch from your pubic bone to your tailbone
- Provide support to your bladder, rectum, prostate, and sexual organs
- Are engaged when you urinate, have a bowel movement, or engage in sexual activity
Now here’s the twist: if these muscles develop tightness or spasms—what are called trigger points—they can refer pain to other parts of the body. That includes the penis, testicles, bladder, and even the rectum. So even if the muscles themselves don’t feel painful, they can cause pain elsewhere.
Why Would These Muscles Become a Problem?
1. Muscle Tension and Trigger Points
Trigger points are tight, knotted areas in muscle tissue that can cause both local and referred pain. You’ve probably felt one before in your shoulder or neck. The same thing can happen in the pelvic floor.
When these knots form in the pelvic floor muscles, they can:
- Irritate surrounding nerves
- Cause referred pain in the penis, perineum, or groin
- Lead to sensations that mimic an infection or urethritis
2. Postural Imbalances
Your posture can have a surprising impact on your pelvic muscles. Sitting at a desk all day, old sports injuries, poor core strength, or even past ankle sprains can throw off your body’s alignment. This can cause strain on the muscles in the pelvis.
Since the pelvic floor is interconnected with your lower back, hips, and inner thighs, imbalances in any of these areas can cause the pelvic floor to compensate and eventually tighten.
3. Stress and Emotional Tension
Stress doesn’t just affect your mind—it often causes your body to tense up. The pelvic floor is especially sensitive to stress and emotional tension. Many men experiencing chronic pelvic pain report that symptoms worsen with stress or anxiety.
4. Aftermath of an Infection
Even if you had a legitimate infection that was treated with antibiotics, the inflammation might have left its mark. The body sometimes reacts to infections by tightening nearby muscles in a protective reflex, and if those muscles don’t relax afterward, the pain can linger.
Why Your Urologist May Not Have the Full Answer
Many urologists do an excellent job checking for infections, blockages, and structural abnormalities. But if all the tests come back normal and you’re still in pain, they might label it “non-specific urethritis” or even suggest that it’s in your head.
In reality, it may be a musculoskeletal issue. Unfortunately, pelvic floor dysfunction in men is still underdiagnosed and underrecognized. That’s why many patients are left in limbo after antibiotics and standard treatments fail.
Common Symptoms Linked to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
If your pain doesn’t go away after urethritis treatment, and any of the following also sounds familiar, pelvic floor dysfunction could be the missing piece:
- Pain that shifts from penis to testicles, or rectum
- Pain when sitting, especially on hard surfaces
- Discomfort or urgency with urination, even without infection
- A feeling of tightness in the lower pelvis or inner thighs
- Sexual dysfunction (painful arousal or ejaculation)
- Constipation or incomplete bowel movements
How Do These Muscles Heal?
Here’s the good news: if your pain is muscular in nature, there are ways to address it.
1. Restore Muscle Balance
The first step is to balance the surrounding muscles—not just the pelvic floor, but also the muscles of your lower back, hips, and thighs. Remember: the pelvic floor is part of a team. If one part is overworking or restricted, the whole system can get out of sync.
Restoring balance can:
- Reduce or eliminate trigger points
- Improve blood flow
- Allow tissues to heal naturally
- Decrease nerve irritation
2. Relaxation and Stress Reduction
Deep breathing, meditation, and other relaxation strategies help calm the nervous system. Since stress fuels the muscle tightness cycle, learning to regulate it can be crucial.
3. Movement and Gentle Stretching
Specific stretches and gentle exercises can:
- Release tension in pelvic and surrounding muscles
- Improve circulation
- Reduce inflammation
- Help retrain your body to move without triggering pain
4. Manual Therapy
If you’re able to visit a pelvic health specialist, hands-on treatment to release the trigger points in the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles can be a game changer. Some physical therapists are trained to do this internally and externally.
Final Thoughts: Still in Pain After Urethritis Diagnosis? – You’re Not Alone
One of the most frustrating parts of this condition is how isolating it feels. Many men believe they’re the only ones dealing with chronic pelvic or penile pain—especially after a urethritis diagnosis that didn’t lead to real relief.
The truth is, you’re not alone. And more importantly, it’s not all in your head. If your pain continues after your infection has cleared and your test results are clean, it may be time to look at the issue from a different angle.
Persistent pelvic pain is often a sign that your muscles are trying to tell you something. Listening to your body—and finding the right help to release and rebalance those muscles—could be the missing piece to finally feeling better.
Also Read: Why You Still Have Pain After Endometriosis Surgery
I’m Hina Sheth. I have been treating complex orthopedics, sports and pelvic floor physical problems for over 25 years with amazing results. Now I want to bring my knowledge to the global community so I can spread my knowledge to you.
Our bodies are complex systems of 600 muscles and organs intertwined in a fascial system that all work together. Imbalances in this system such as trigger points, visceral and myofascial restrictions can lead to joint, pelvic, and organ issues.
Factors like nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress play a crucial role. Unfortunately, our current healthcare model does not look at our bodies as a whole and oftentimes compartmentalize musculoskeletal injuries and dysfunctions.
At Rebalance, our goal is to holistically treat this complex system to restore harmony in the body. By addressing these imbalances, we help clients improve their overall health and well-being. Our vision is to empower individuals to create a healthier lifestyle for themselves.
