PATHOGENESIS OF THE URETHRAL SYNDROME IN WOMEN AND ITS DIAGNOSIS IN GENERAL PRACTICE

Women with the urethral syndrome have been studied in general practice. When Kass's criterion was applied 67 (49%) of 138 women with symptoms had significant bacteriuria, but 66% of the remaining 71 had bacteriuria which was not significant, compared with only 9% of a control series. These organisms are probably related to the patients' symptoms and should not be thought of as contaminants. Sexual intercourse, the menopause, cold weather, emotional stress, catheterisation, allergy, and menstruation may alter the urethral defence mechanisms and enable urinary pathogens to become established.