Non-Specific Urethritis

Non-specific urethritis (NSU), also referred to as non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) spread via unprotected sex, causing the urethra to become inflamed. The urethra is the tube that urine passes through from the bladder, causing you to urinate. Non-specific urethritis can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, such as pain during urination, white discharge and pain around the pelvis.

Studies have shown that, in 50% of cases, chlamydia is the underlying cause of non-specific urethritis. It can also be carried by other organisms, including the human papilloma virus (HPV), the herpes simplex virus and Trichomonas vaginalis. Unprotected sex is the main risk factor with all of these infections.

For NSU, the organisms that cause the inflammation of the urethra are passed on during unprotected sex. This means that non-specific urethritis is usually brought about after unprotected sex, whether it is vaginal, anal or oral.

Most people who are infected with non-specific urethritis will not realise that this is the case because there are not usually any visible NSU symptoms.

Male symptoms

Men who are infected with NSU may notice burning when they urinate, and the tip of their penis may be sore, red and raw. A white penile discharge may also appear, along with a more frequent urge to urinate. Symptoms aren't always visible and are usually mild in nature, hence why it's important to get tested for STIs regularly, along with your sexual partners.

Female symptoms

Women usually do not notice any NSU symptoms until the infection arrives at the urethra, Fallopian tubes and womb, which may lead to discomfort and pain. The spreading NSU infection can cause an unusual vaginal discharge, vomiting, a high temperature, bleeding between periods and pain in the stomach and pelvis, as well as a painful urethra.

NSU can lead to serious medical problems if it is left untreated. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to take an STI test if you have had unprotected sex, especially as non-specific urethritis is often asymptomatic. Untreated NSU in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Men are at risk of permanent damage to their fertility levels and testicle infections.

Both men and women are at risk of recurrent urethritis, epididymo-orchitis and Reiter's Syndrome if they do not seek NSU treatment.

The only way to successfully treat this sexually transmitted infection is by taking a course of prescription antibiotics. The treatment options we offer at euroClinix for non-specific urethritis are four 500mg tablets of Azithromycin or 100mg capsules of Doxycycline, taken in a single dose. You should continue to take these medications even if symptoms begin to disappear, as a treatment course should be completed fully to ensure that you are effectively treated.

It is possible to prevent non-specific urethritis (NSU) by following the methods of prevention listed below:

• Always use condoms (male or female) during sex
• Minimise the amount of sexual partners you have
• Avoid sharing sex toys unless they are cleaned thoroughly before use an covered with a fresh condom
• Get tested regularly for STIs along with your partner at an STI clinic to prevent the infection from getting passed on
• Use additional barrier contraceptives, such as dental dams during oral sex

Non-specific urethritis (NSU) treatments are available to buy online at euroClinix. The prescription medications we offer for this condition are Azithromycin and Doxycycline, which can effectively treat the infection and quickly relieve any uncomfortable or painful symptoms.

To determine your suitability for one of these treatments, we simply need you to fill out a brief online consultation form, which is completely free. This online consultation will then be reviewed by a UK qualified doctor who will prescribe an NSU treatment if it is safe for you to use. This prescription will then be dispensed by our UK pharmacy, and the medication will be sent straight to you in discreet packaging via our free next day delivery service.