Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Symptoms include pain or burning during urination, discharge, and abdominal pain. Antibiotics are used to treat it, and prevention includes wearing condoms and limiting sexual partners. Untreated NGU can lead to serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an infection that occurs in the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine. It can also be referred to as nonspecific urethritis (NSU). A man or a woman can get this sexually transmitted disease (STD) most commonly from the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. Other types of bacteria that can cause nongonococcal urethritis include Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Antibiotics are used to treat this infection.
A patient may be infected with nongonococcal urethritis for one to three weeks before noticing symptoms. Men and women may notice spots in their underwear and pain or burning when urinating. A man will experience a milky discharge from the penis, while women will experience vaginal discharge. Itching, tenderness, or irritation may also occur. Women who experience abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding unrelated to menstruation may also have a complication of nongonococcal urethritis, called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
While this infection is a sexually transmitted disease that can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, it can also be transmitted non-sexually. It can occur due to bacterial prostatitis, which leads to an inflamed prostate gland, or due to a urinary tract infection. A patient can also get this condition after being catheterized or due to a urethral stricture, which is a narrowing of the urethra.
If nongonococcal urethritis is left untreated, serious complications can develop. Women can develop PID, which can potentially cause an ectopic pregnancy and can even lead to infertility if it’s chronic. They may also suffer from miscarriage in pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, or vaginitis. Some complications that can develop in males include skin lesions and Reiter’s syndrome, which is a type of arthritis. They can also develop conjunctivitis, also called pink eye.
After diagnosing a patient with nongonococcal urethritis, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics. The most common antibiotics used include tetracycline, doxycycline and azithromycin. Patients should inform their doctors if they have any allergies to any medications, including antibiotics. They must also avoid sexual contact while they have an active infection. The doctor can let the patient know when it is safe to engage in sexual activity.
Nongonococcal urethritis and other STDs are preventable. People should wear condoms when engaging in any sexual activity. Before using a condom, they should check the expiration date and make sure it hasn’t been compromised. For example, leaving a condom in a wallet can wear down the material. A person can also reduce their risk of getting an STD by limiting the number of sexual partners.
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