Urine Pain & Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)

Having Urine Pain (Dysuria)? Burning sensation while passing urine? Abnormal vaginal discharge? Lower abdominal pain? Please read on.

What is Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)?

Urethritis is inflammation (pain, redness and/or swelling) of the urethra (tube where urine comes out).

It is called non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) when the cause is not yet known and the sexual infection gonorrhoea (which can cause inflammation) has been ruled out.

Hence, Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is due to causes other than gonorrhoea.

This used to be called nonspecific urethritis (NSU).

What are the types of Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)?

Possible types of NGU includes:

• Chlamydia
• Mycoplasma genitalium
• Trichomonas vaginalis
• Ureaplasma urealyticum
• Herpes simplex viruses

Bacteria that cause infection in the urinary tract (kidneys, bladder and urethra) can lead to inflammation of the urethra.

If your partner is a female, a vaginal infection in your partner, such as yeast infection (thrush) or bacterial vaginosis, may trigger NGU in you!

 

In some cases of NGU, no infection is found on tests and the cause is unclear.

How do you get NGU?

You can catch NGU when you have sex with someone who already has the infection. This can be by vaginal sex, oral sex or anal sex.

Not all cases of non-specific urethritis are caused by having sex.

Even if you have had NGU before, you can still catch it again

Non-gonococcal urethritis NGU cannot be caught by kissing, from swimming pools, by sharing towels, saunas or from toilet seats.

What are the symptoms of NGU?

Women will usually not notice anything wrong.

However the NGU infection is caused by chlamydia you may notice

• pain when passing urine, urine pain
• Lower abdominal pain
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain or bleeding after sex

Learn more about symptoms of other Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

Do I need any tests?

Yes, a sample from the genital area is needed to make the diagnosis

Firstly, Your doctor will do an internal examination of your vagina and cervix (entrance to the womb ).

Subsequently ,Your doctor will take a swab from the vagina or cervix (neck of the womb) and send it to a laboratory where it will be tested.

Urine test may also be used.

If you have NGU, you should also be tested for other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, as you can have more than one infection at the same time.

What is the treatment for NGU?

Treatment is simple.

NGU is treated with antibiotic tablets..

(Do tell the doctor or nurse if you’re pregnant, or think you might be, or you’re breastfeeding. This may affect the type of antibiotic that you’re given.)

 

Should I have sex if I have Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)?

You should avoid any sex, even with a condom, until after both you and your partner have finished all your treatment and you are reviewed by your doctor .

What are the possible complications of NGU?

If left untreated, some causes of NGU can have long-term consequences, although these are uncommon.

NGU caused by chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can cause abdominal and pelvic pain.

It can also lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).

Do I need to tell my partner?

Yes. If your sexual partner is infected and not treated, the infection can be passed back to you.

Any person you have had sex with in the last four weeks should be tested for infection, even if they do not have any symptoms.

If you have NGU without any symptoms then you may have had it for some time. In this situation, any sexual partners within the previous six months should be tested and treated.

(This article is written by Our Guest writer Dr Mastura Shahrum)

Take care gals!

Dr. Mastura Shahrum