NGU:
Quick facts
- Non-gonococcal urethritis – or NGU – is an infection of the urethra caused by pathogens (germs) other than gonorrhea.
- Various types of germs can cause NGU, such as trichomonas vaginalis or mycoplasma genitalium, but the most common cause is chlamydia.
- There are also non-sexual causes of NGU, such as a urinary tract infection or catheterization.
- NGU is diagnosed more often in men than in women.
How is NGU transmitted?
Sexual
Most germs that cause NGU can be transmitted during sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) that involves direct mucosal contact with an infected person. These germs can be transmitted even if the penis or tongue does not go all the way into the vagina, mouth or rectum, even if no bodily fluids are exchanged.
Non-sexual
- Urinary tract infections.
- Inflammation of the prostate gland due to bacteria (bacterial prostatitis).
- Narrowing or closing of the tube in the penis (urethral stricture).
- Tightening of the foreskin so that it cannot be pulled back from the head of the penis (phimosa).
- The result of a procedure such as inserting a tube into the penis (catheterization).
Perinatal
At birth, infants may be exposed to the germs that cause NGU in transit through the birth canal. This can cause the baby to get infections in:
- eyes (conjunctivitis)
- ears
- lungs (pneumonia)
What are the symptoms?
For people with a penis (urinary tract infection)
- Discharge from the penis
- Burning or pain when urinating (urinating)
- Itching, irritation or sensitivity
- Underwear stain
For people with sinus (vaginal/urethral infection)
The germs that cause NGU in men can cause other infections in people with sinuses. These may include vaginitis or mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC). The infection can also be asymptomatic (have no symptoms). Symptoms of NGU may include:
- Vaginal discharge
- Burning or pain when urinating (urinating)
- Abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding. This may be a sign that the infection has progressed to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Infections of the anus or mouth
An infection of the anus can cause rectal itching, discharge, or pain during defecation. Oral infection may occur. Most (90%) are asymptomatic, but some people may have a sore throat.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of NGU is made when a man has urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), but gonorrhea is ruled out because he has a negative gonorrhea culture and/or gram stain. Other tests include a chlamydia culture or urinalysis (sometimes, but rarely).
In women, it can be diagnosed by chlamydia culture. A gonorrhea culture may be done to rule out gonorrhea.
How is NGU treated?
NGU is treated with antibiotics. Some treatments are not suitable for someone who is pregnant, so someone who is pregnant or thinks they might be should tell their healthcare provider.
Some general treatment guidelines:
- Take all the medicine – even if you start to feel better before you finish the bottle.
- Deal with all partners.
- Notify all partners.
- Abstain from sex until all partners are treated.
- Return for evaluation by a health care provider if symptoms persist or if symptoms return after taking all of the prescribed medication.
What does it mean for my health?
If left untreated, the germs that cause NGU—especially chlamydia—can lead to complications:
People with penises
- Epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis, the elongated structure along the back border of the testicles) which can lead to infertility if left untreated.
- Reiter’s syndrome (arthritis)
- Conjunctivitis
- Skin lesions
- Exempt
People with a uterus
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.
- Recurrent PID can lead to infertility.
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Urethritis
- Vaginitis
- Mucosuppurative cervicitis (MPC)
- Failure
Infections caused by anal sex can lead to severe proctitis (inflammation of the rectum).
How do I tell my partner?
If you’ve been told you have NGU, talk to your partner(s) and let them know so they can get tested and treated. The most common cause of NGU is chlamydia, and it is easy to pass from an infected partner to an uninfected one.
All sexual partners of someone diagnosed with NGU should be treated because:
- They may have an infection and not know it.
- It prevents them from spreading the infection back to you or others.
- It prevents them from suffering possible complications.
/*! elementor – v3.19.0 – 28-02-2024 */ .elementor-widget-divider{–divider-border-style:none;–divider-border-width:1px;–divider-color:#0c0d0e;- -divider-icon-size:20px;–divider-element-space:10px;–divider-pattern-height:24px;–divider-pattern-size:20px;–divider-pattern-url:none;- -divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max -width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(–divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font- size:var(–divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon . elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after, .elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–view- line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:””;border-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start:var(–divider-border-width) var (–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of -type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element -align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{ flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align- right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow :0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-start .elementor -divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow: 0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider–element-align-end .elementor- divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line_icon) .elementor-divider -separator{border-block-start:var(–divider-border-width) var(–divider-border-style) var(–divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type- pattern{–divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider–view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider- -separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget -divider–view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider–separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider–view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(–divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask- size:var(–divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(–divider-pattern-repeat);background- color:var(–divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(–divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider –no-spacing{–divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider–bg-round{–divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text {direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(–container-widget-width,100%);–flex -grow:var(–container-widget-flex-grow)}
More to explore
Could microplastics be behind the drop in sperm count?
A new study has found that the testicles of human men contained tiny bits of plastic, raising concerns about the impact of our environment on reproduction.
New option for home STI testing: FDA approves new self-collection test
For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration has cleared at-home tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Could monkey behavior explain why men masturbate?
A new paper suggests there are biological and evolutionary reasons why we masturbate, and looks to our ape ancestors for evidence. There is evidence beginning about 40 million years ago that the ancestors of all monkeys and apes did masturbate.
Young men who have sex with men are driving progress in HIV prevention and treatment, but disparities remain
While the CDC reported a decline in overall new HIV infections, disparities in HIV prevention and treatment remain.
June is men’s health month
Every year in June we put special emphasis on the health needs of boys and men. Sexual health is important throughout life and involves more than just sex! Body image, relationships, understanding sexual anatomy (and staying healthy) are all big
FDA lifts restrictions on blood donations for men who have sex with men
In a long-overdue policy change, the FDA told blood banks they could begin accepting donations from gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships without requiring a period of abstinence before donating.
The post NGU, or non-gonococcal urethritis appeared first on American Sexual Health Association.
