Non-specific urethritis - meaning and definition
AlsoNSUnon-gonococcal urethritisNGUurethritisnonspecific urethritis
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
Non-specific urethritis is inflammation of the urethra that is not caused by gonorrhoea; it is often linked to other STIs but sometimes has no identified cause.
At a glance
- NSU is inflammation of the urethra not caused by gonorrhoea.
- It can cause stinging when urinating, discharge or irritation.
- Chlamydia and Mycoplasma genitalium are frequent causes.
- Non-infectious causes, such as irritation from soaps, are also possible.
- It is usually treated with antibiotics, and partners may be advised to have treatment too.
In detail
The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body. When it becomes inflamed, it can cause stinging when urinating, discharge or irritation, most commonly noticed in people with a penis.
Chlamydia and Mycoplasma genitalium are frequent causes, but irritation from soaps and other non-infectious causes are possible. It is usually treated with antibiotics, and partners may be advised to have treatment too.
In a sentence
- The clinic diagnosed non-specific urethritis and gave him a course of antibiotics.
- The nurse said NSU sometimes has no single identified cause.
Not to be confused with
- Urinary tract infection
A UTI affects the bladder or kidneys and is usually caused by gut bacteria.
Common questions
Is non-specific urethritis an STI?
Often, but not always. It is frequently linked to STIs such as chlamydia or Mycoplasma genitalium, but it can also have non-infectious causes. A sexual health clinic or doctor can advise on your own situation.
Do partners need treatment for NSU?
Partners may be advised to have treatment too, to prevent the infection passing back and forth. The clinic will advise based on the likely cause.