Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) : Signs and Symptoms

Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an infection of the urethra that can occur without symptoms in nearly 50% of cases. It is commonly caused by Chlamydia or other sexually transmitted infections. Symptoms may include discharge or burning during urination. Treatment involves antibiotics, and partners also need treatment to prevent reinfection. Practicing safe sex through condom use can help prevent NGU.

Uploaded by

Ikhfa Yusril Bahari

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

0% found this document useful (0 votes)

79 views2 pages

Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) : Signs and Symptoms

Uploaded by

Ikhfa Yusril Bahari

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

You are on page 1/ 2

Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

Urethritis is an infection of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that runs from the bladder to the outside through
which the urine is passed. Urine and ejaculate fluid ("cum") in men both pass through this tube. Non-gonococcal
urethritis (NGU) most commonly means there is an infection in the urethra.

Sometimes the cause of the infection can be found but often is not proven, though it is mostly due to a sexually
transmissible infection (STI). About half of all NGU in Australia is due to Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia).
Several other bacteria including E.Coli can also cause NGU.

Signs and Symptoms:

NGU may be present without people knowing it with nearly 50% of men with NGU not having any noticeable
symptoms. If you are sexually active, under 35 years of age, changed partners recently, have unprotected sex,
you are more at risk of getting NGU. Symptoms may include discharge from the urethra (this might only be
noticeable when your penis is squeezed), burning or stinging when passing urine in both men and women,
irritation of the penis, testicular pain or swollen testes, or wanting to pass urine more frequently than usual.

Treatment:

Specimens of urine and, where a discharge is present, swabs of the urethra can be tested to see if there is
urethritis and/or if the cause can be identified. Tests for other STIs may also be done. NGU can be treated with
antibiotics; usually treatments effective in treating chlamydia are used.

To ensure the infection has been cured: it is important to finish your course of treatment and not have
unprotected sex until you and your partner have finished treatment and you both have returned to your doctor or
clinic for a follow-up appointment. The doctor will test your urine again to see if you have completely cleared the
infection.

If you find out that you have NGU, anyone you have had sex with in the past few months will also need to be
treated. This is to make sure that they are cleared of the infection and to prevent you from being re-infected. If
you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about telling your partner or partners, a member of your health care team
can assist by contacting them for you. This is a confidential process and your name will not be mentioned. It is
very important for your health, for that of your partner or partners and for the health of other people with whom
they have sex that the tracing of contacts occurs.

Symptoms of NGU can persist after treatment. However, if you and your partner have been treated
simultaneously, and safe sex is practised, there should be no chance of re-infection. If symptoms persist, see
your doctor or clinic for follow-up.

Prevention:

NGU is mostly passed from person to person through sexual contact. You can get NGU through vaginal, anal or
oral sex.

Practise safe sex. Always using condoms with water-based lubricant when you have vaginal or anal sex is the
best way to avoid getting NGU. This reduces the risk of the condom breaking. Oil based lubricants should not be
used as they weaken the condom and may cause it to break. If you are giving a man or woman oral sex (their
genitals in your mouth) then the man should wear a condom or the woman should place a dental dam over her
genitals to avoid genital fluids (semen or vaginal fluids) from entering your mouth (although the risk of
transmission due to oral sex is minimal). If you put your mouth in contact with your partner's anus you should use
a dental dam.

If you suspect that you have any of the above symptoms you should visit your GP, Sexual Health Clinic or a

URL: http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/188/102/non-gonococcal-urethritis-ngu
Version number: 5
Date published: 11/10/2017
Date generated: 7/01/2019
Genitourinary (Sexual Health) Specialist.

Health outcome:

NGU can persist for months if it is not treated. If not treated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women
which can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain and risk of tubal pregnancy. In men, it can also cause inflammation
of the testicles and infertility.

Other resources:

Queensland Sexual Health (https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/sexual-health/index.html)

Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) : Signs and Symptoms

Uploaded by

Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU) : Signs and Symptoms

Uploaded by

Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (NGU)

You might also like