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Infections & STDs

Non-specific urethritis

Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra (tube where urine comes out). Sometimes it is called non-specific urethritis (often known as NSU) or non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). This means inflammation of the urethra when the cause is not yet known and gonorrhoea has been ruled out. It is possible for men and women to have NSU but it is more difficult to diagnose in women. There is also a variant of the condition in women known as urethral syndrome.

HOW DO YOU GET IT?

NSU is predominately sexually acquired; however the exact cause is unknown. Factors that might increase the risk for developing NSU include:

• Having another STI (Up to 50% of men who have inflammation of the urethra are found to have Chlamydia).
• Damage to the urethra caused by vigorous sex

Other causes such as HSV, mycoplasma infection , trichomonas and streptococcus infection all require specialist tests and investigation.

SYMPTOMS

If signs and symptoms do occur they usually show up within 2-4 weeks of contact with an infection, but they can sometimes appear within a day or two (depending on the cause of the inflammation). In mild cases, symptoms may not show up for several months. If you do get signs and symptoms you might notice:

• A white or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis, usually more noticeable first thing in the morning. Sometimes this discharge is seen only when massaged out of the penis.
• Difficulty, pain or a burning sensation when passing urine.
• The feeling that you need to pass urine frequently.
• Itching or irritation at the end of the urethra.

Depending on the cause of the inflammation there may also be other symptoms that are specific to particular infections.

If you have any of these symptoms, please contact 132 Healthwise to arrange a test.

DIAGNOSIS

The SH nurse will examine the penis for signs of NSU and may take a swab from urethra. A urine sample should be obtained and sent to the lab, as the cause of inflammation may be a urinary tract infection. In the case of testing for Chlamydia, mycoplasma and other bacteria , we need to test the first catch of urine which requires not passing urine 2 hours before the test.

It is important that you don't delay getting a test if you think you may have an infection. You can do a test even if you haven't got symptoms. It is possible to be tested for signs of inflammation within a few days of having sex, but it may be necessary to wait up to two weeks before you can do a test to check for infections such as Chlamydia.

If you think you need a test, please contact 132 Healthwise.