Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra (the passage in the penis that urine and semen pass through). It can be caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea, although frequently the cause is not identified. If neither gonorrhoea nor chlamydia can be isolated, the condition is known as non-specific urethritis.
Non-specific urethritis (NSU) means any inflammation of a man’s urethra that is not caused by gonorrhoea (a sexually transmissible infection). It is sometimes called non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). The infection can easily be caught through vaginal sex. It can also be acquired through anal or oral sex, although this is less common. NSU can sometimes occur without being sexually transmitted.
Symptoms occur two to four weeks after infection
Symptoms of NSU occur two to four weeks after infection and include:
* A clear or white discharge from the penis
* A burning sensation while urinating. Sometimes the pain occurs without the discharge
* Pain and swelling in the testicles. This may be a sign of an advanced infection.
The symptoms of NSU can be very mild and may be overlooked.
Untreated NSU can have serious consequences
If left undetected and untreated, NSU can lead to:
* Spread of the infection into the prostate or testicles
* Infertility – this can occur in extreme cases
* Spread of the infection to a female partner who may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause infertility.
A number of different organisms cause NSU
Several organisms are known to cause NSU but, in many cases, the specific organism can’t be identified. About 50 per cent of cases are caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Treatment
NSU is treated with antibiotics.
Recurrences of NSU can occur
Although NSU is fairly easy to treat, in some cases it is difficult to get rid of and symptoms may recur. It will eventually clear up with the correct treatment.
Condom use effectively prevents NSU
The best way to prevent NSU is to always use condoms when you have sex. The rules for using condoms properly include:
* Open the packet carefully so that you don’t tear the condom.
* Pinch the tip of the condom before carefully rolling it down the entire shaft of the erect penis.
* Do not use spit, Vaseline, baby oil or other oil-based lubricants.
* Use water based lubricants such as KY, Muko or Wet Stuff.
* Withdraw the penis before the erection is lost, so that the condom does not fall off. Hold the base of the condom to prevent spills.
* Store condoms in a cool dry place and check the expiry date.
Where to get help
* Your doctor
* Melbourne Sexual Health Centre Tel. (03) 9347 0244 or 1800 032 017 or TTY 9347 8619
* Family Planning Victoria Tel. (03) 9257 0100
* Action Centre (for youth) Tel. (03) 9654 4766 or 1800 013 952
Things to remember
* NSU means any inflammation of the urethra not caused by gonorrhoea.
* NSU can cause infertility if left untreated.
* Use condoms as protection against NSU.
Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an inflammation of the urethra which is not caused by gonorrheal infection.
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Symptoms
* 2 Causes
* 3 Diagnosis
* 4 Treatment
* 5 External links
[edit] Symptoms
The symptoms of urethritis can include pain or a burning sensation upon urination (dysuria), a white/cloudy discharge and a feeling that one needs to pass urine frequently; however, there are often no symptoms.
[edit] Causes
Urethritis can be caused by a number of organisms, including Neisseria gonorrheae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, Herpes simplex virus, and Candida albicans, and by a number of non-infectious causes, including urethral stricture, foreign bodies, trauma, Reiter's syndrome, and various autoimmune and allergic conditions.
Of these many causes, the vast preponderance of cases are due to either gonorrhea or chlamydia. It is currently estimated that 50% of NGU cases are caused by chlamydia, with the remainder due to other causes.
[edit] Diagnosis
Historically, it has been easy to test for the presence of gonorrhea by viewing a Gram's stain of the urethral discharge under a microscope: the causative organism is distinctive in appearance. Thus, one of the major causes of urethritis can be identified by a simple common test, and the distinction between gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis arose historically for this reason.
Identifying chlamydia, the other major cause of urethritis, has required more sophisticated technology, but is now more widely available. These two tests combined identify the cause of most treatable forms of urethritis. If tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia are negative, and the cause of the urethritis has not been otherwise identified, the term non-specific urethritis (NSU) is used. The terms "NGU" and "NSU" are sometimes used inconsistently, but these are the most common meanings in the modern era of treatment.
[edit] Treatment
Treatment is based on the prescription and use of the proper antibiotics depending on the strain of the ureaplasma.
Because of its multi-causative nature, initial treatment strategies involve using a broad range antibiotic that is effective against chlamydia (such as doxycycline). It is imperative that both the patient and any sexual contacts are treated. Women who are infected with the organisms that cause NGU may develop pelvic inflammatory disease. If symptoms persist, follow-up with a urologist may be necessary to identify the cause.
If left untreated, complications include epididymitis and infertility. Consistent and correct use of latex condoms during sexual activity greatly reduces the likelihood of infection.