Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) is the name given to inflammation of the male urethra (water passage) when gonorrhoea is not the cause.

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

It is possible to get non-specific urethritis and other sexually transmitted infections 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 non-specific urethritis are caused by having sex and you do not need to have lots of sexual partners.

You cannot get non-specific urethritis from kissing, hugging, sharing baths or towels etc.

The following measures will help protect you from non-specific urethritis and most other sexually transmitted infections including HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia. If you have a sexually transmitted infection they will also help prevent you from 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.
• Another way to help protect yourself against non-specific urethritis is to avoid putting objects, lotions or creams into your urethra.

Men will usually notice:

• A discharge from the tip of the penis
• Aburning 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 infection, 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

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

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

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