What is Nongonococcal urethritis?
Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an inflammatory condition affecting the urethra, the tube that runs through the penis and carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The term itself functions as a medical classification. It signifies that while there is clear evidence of urethritis, laboratory tests have specifically ruled out the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea.
Essentially, NGU is an umbrella diagnosis for urethritis triggered by a variety of other pathogens. The condition involves irritation of the lining of the urinary passage, which can result in a noticeable discharge and pain when urinating. Unlike a simple urinary tract infection (UTI), which typically involves the bladder, NGU is precisely localized to the urethra itself.
Causes:- Chlamydia trachomatis Bacterium: This sexually transmitted bacterium is the single most frequent identifiable cause, responsible for a substantial portion of all NGU diagnoses.
- Mycoplasma genitalium Infection: A different type of sexually transmitted bacterium has been recognized as another primary cause, known for its capacity to induce persistent urethral inflammation.
- Trichomonas vaginalis Parasite: This microscopic protozoan, the agent that causes the STI trichomoniasis, can infect the male urethra and provoke the inflammatory response of NGU.
- Non-Infectious Irritation: Occasionally, the condition is not caused by an organism but results from physical irritation from a urinary catheter or a chemical reaction to ingredients in certain soaps or spermicides.
- Having Multiple Sexual Partners: Engaging in sexual activity with more than one partner elevates risk, as each new partner represents a potential new exposure to the various microbes that can cause NGU.
- Inconsistent Condom Use: Failing to use condoms correctly and consistently during sexual encounters removes the most effective physical barrier that prevents the transmission of infectious agents between partners.
- Being a Younger, Sexually Active Man: Diagnoses of NGU are statistically most frequent in men under the age of 25, a demographic that often correlates with higher rates of partner change and exposure.
- A Previous History of STIs: An individual who has previously been treated for any sexually transmitted infection may have a higher risk for future infections, including NGU, often due to established behavioral patterns.
