What is Non Specific Urethritis?
Non-specific Urethritis can also be referred to as non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) or non-specific genital infection (NSGI).
All of these terms mean that the urethra (the tube in the penis that the urine comes out of) is irritated.
How do I know I’ve got it?
You may have any of the following symptoms:
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Discharge from your penis
How do you get it?
- Through unprotected sex (having sex with no condom)
Where can I get tested?
NSU can really only be diagnosed using a microscope, and these are usually only used in some sexual health clinics. A soft cotton swab is used to take a sample from the end of the penis. It is important you try not to pass urine for 2 hours before this sample is taken.
What is the treatment?
Antibiotics will get rid of the infection.
Avoid having sex until 1 week after you and your partner(s) have been treated.
You don’t usually need a repeat test to ensure your infection is gone.
Sexual partners
It is essential that your sexual partner(s) are tested/ treated. You can discuss this with the health adviser who can help you tell/talk to your partner to get tested and treated.
How do I make sure I don’t get NSU again?
The best way to prevent all sexually transmitted infections is to practice safer sex. This means using a condom for vaginal, oral or anal sex.