Penis of a patient with a periurethral abscess. An abscess is a painful pus-filled swelling caused by an infection. This abscess is next to the urethra, the tune that carries urine out of the body. A periurethral abscess may be due to an infection of, obstruction to, or trauma to, the urethra. They are most often associated with sexually transmitted infections, particularly gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Treatment is with drainage of the abscess and antibiotics. If not treated promptly periurethral abscess can lead to sepsis, which can be life-threatening.