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Non Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

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NGU is inflammation of the male urethra (urine tube) which can occur due to various causes..

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Non Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

What is Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)?

NGU is the name given to inflammation of the male urethra (urine tube) when gonorrhoea is not the cause.

Most cases of NGU are caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of which chlamydia is the most common. In about one-third of cases, no infection can be found.

NGU can be passed on by having sex with someone who has an infection, but it can also occur spontaneously without any sexual contact, (such as after a heavy masturbation session when your urethra can become irritated).

How could I get NGU?

It is possible to get NGU and other STIs by having sex with someone who has an infection but has no symptoms.

During unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, organisms which can cause inflammation can pass into the urethra. Not all cases of NGU are caused by having sex and you do not need to have lots of sexual partners.

You cannot get NGU from kissing, hugging, sharing baths or towels etc.

How can I avoid getting NGU?

The following measures will help protect you from NGU and most other STIs, including HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia. If you have an STI, they will also help prevent you passing it on to your partner.

Use condoms or femidoms for vaginal or anal sex.
Avoid sharing sex toys. If you do share them, wash them or cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them.
Avoid putting objects, lotions or creams into your urethra.

What are the symptoms of NGU?

Men will usually notice:

A discharge from the tip of the penis
A burning pain when passing urine
Irritation or itching at the tip or opening of the penis

Women will usually not notice anything wrong. However, if their sexual partner’s NGU is caused by chlamydia and the woman also has chlamydia, she may notice:

Vaginal bleeding after sex or between periods
Pain in the lower tummy
An abnormal vaginal discharge
Pain or burning when passing urine

How do I get tested for NGU?

It is advisable to get tested at one of our nurse-led sexual health clinics if you have,or think you might have, symptoms

All of our services are free and confidential.

How is NGU treated?

Currently, the only effective and clinically approved way to successfully treat NGU is through the use of antibiotics.

We are here to support you, not to judge you.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition in which the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Genital Warts / HPV

Genital Warts (sometimes called anogenital warts) are a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by human papillomaviruses or HPVs.

Gonorrhoea & Drug Resistant Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which affects the liver. It can be passed on in various ways including sexually from some sex acts.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver and is caused by the hepatitis B virus which can be passed on sexually.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection affecting the liver. It has usually been associated with injecting drug use but we now know that it can be passed on sexually, particularly with certain sex practices.

Herpes

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause painful blisters on the genitals and the surrounding areas.

LGV (Lymphogranuloma Venereum)

Lymphogranuloma venereum, or LGV, is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium (a type of germ) from the chlamydia family.

Non Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

NGU is inflammation of the male urethra (water pipe) which can occur due to various causes hence the condition sometimes being called Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU).

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID is the name given to inflammation of female reproductive organs: the womb (or uterus) fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.

Pubic Lice (Crabs)

Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair.

Scabies

Scabies is a common and very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes Scabiei.

Shigella

Shigella is an infectious bacterial infection. It is often a cause of food poisoning but can easily be passed on during sex.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria.

Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV)

TV is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a protozoon called Trichomonas vaginalis, or ‘TV’. Protozoa are tiny germs similar to bacteria.

ABOUT STIs

Non Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

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Useful Information

Useful Links

Non Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

What is Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)?

How could I get NGU?

How can I avoid getting NGU?

What are the symptoms of NGU?

How do I get tested for NGU?

How is NGU treated?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition in which the balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted.

Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Genital Warts (sometimes called anogenital warts) are a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by human papillomaviruses or HPVs.

Gonorrhoea is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which affects the liver. It can be passed on in various ways including sexually from some sex acts.

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver and is caused by the hepatitis B virus which can be passed on sexually.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection affecting the liver. It has usually been associated with injecting drug use but we now know that it can be passed on sexually, particularly with certain sex practices.

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause painful blisters on the genitals and the surrounding areas.

Lymphogranuloma venereum, or LGV, is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium (a type of germ) from the chlamydia family.

NGU is inflammation of the male urethra (water pipe) which can occur due to various causes hence the condition sometimes being called Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU).

PID is the name given to inflammation of female reproductive organs: the womb (or uterus) fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.

Pubic lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on coarse human body hair, such as pubic hair.

Scabies is a common and very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite called Sarcoptes Scabiei.

Shigella is an infectious bacterial infection. It is often a cause of food poisoning but can easily be passed on during sex.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria.

TV is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a protozoon called Trichomonas vaginalis, or ‘TV’. Protozoa are tiny germs similar to bacteria.

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