Non-gonococcal urethritis

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Non-gonococcal urethritis
Specialty	Urology

Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is inflammation of the urethra that is not caused by gonorrheal infection.^[1]

For treatment purposes, doctors usually classify infectious urethritis in two categories: gonococcal urethritis, caused by gonorrhea, and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU).^[2]

Symptoms and signs

The symptoms of urethritis can include

NGU is transmitted by touching the mouth, penis, vagina or anus by penis, vagina or anus of a person who has NGU.

NGU is more common in men than women. Men may have a discharge (strange liquid) from the penis, pain when urinating, and itching, irritation or tenderness around the opening of the penis. Women might not have any symptoms and may not know they have NGU until severe problems occur. Women might have discharge from the vagina, burning or pain when urinating, pain in the abdominal (stomach) area, or bleeding from the vagina that is not from a monthly period. (This may be an sign that NGU has become worse and turned into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID).

Causes

There are many causes of NGU. This is in part due to the large variety of organisms living in the urinary tract. Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma genitalium are some of the culprits.^{[clarification needed]} NGU is also associated with reactive arthritis, in which the triad of arthritis, conjunctivitis, and urethritis is seen.

Bacterial

The most common bacterial cause of NGU is

Viral

Fungi

Parasitic

Parasitic causes include Trichomonas vaginalis (rare).^{[citation needed]}

Noninfectious

Urethritis can be caused by mechanical injury (from a urinary catheter or a

However, the term NSU is sometimes distinguished and used to mean that both gonorrhea and chlamydia have been ruled out.[6] Thus, depending on the sense, chlamydia can either be the most likely cause or have been ruled out, and frequently detected organisms are Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis.

However, in 20-50% of cases, a specific cause for urethritis can't be identified, in which case a diagnosis of idiopathic urethritis is a diagnosis of exclusion.^[4]

Treatment

Treatment is based on the prescription and use of the proper

Because of its multi-causative nature, initial treatment strategies involve using a broad range antibiotic that is effective against chlamydia (such as doxycycline).^{[medical citation needed]} It is imperative that both the patient and any sexual contacts be treated. Women 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.

According to a study, tinidazole used with doxycycline or azithromycin may cure NGU better than when doxycycline or azithromycin is used alone.^[8]

If left untreated, complications include epididymitis and infertility. Consistent and correct use of latex condoms during sexual activity greatly reduces the likelihood of infection.^[9]

See also

• Bacterial vaginosis

References