Treating Non-Specific Urethritis

The definition of non-specific urethritis (NSU) in the Oxford dictionary is an inflammation of the urethra due to infection by chlamydia or other organisms (other than gonococci). Gonococci are diplococcic bacteria responsible for gonorrhoea.

Non-specific urethritis is the term that describes the inflammation of the urethra when the cause is unknown. Mycoplasma Genitalium and Ureaplasma Urealyticum are two of the main causes of NSU in both men and women. Along with these infections, the friction of masturbation or sex, allergic reactions to soap or detergent and too much alcohol consumption can cause symptoms of NSU.

Chlamydia is often a main cause of NSU. Like chlamydia, often women do not experience symptoms of NSU and if chlamydia is the cause of the inflammation then there is great risk that the infection will cause problems with fertility due to the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if the NSU or chlamydia is left untreated. The more experiences of PID a woman has had in her lifetime, the greater the risk of infertility.

NSU treatment comprises of a short course of antibiotics and so is easy to treat but considering that it is symptomless, especially in women, it is important to get tested for sexually transmitted infections each time one changes sexual partners.

NSU is the most common type of sexually transmitted infection contracted by returning travellers to Britain. Those in their 20s and 30s who come back from holidaying in the Mediterranean are at high risk of contracting gonorrhoea, non-specific urethritis and chlamydia.

Barrier contraception is the only form of contraception that will prevent one contracting such infections. The rising figures of sexually transmitted infection especially over the summer periods are a worrying trend considering the numbers affected by HIV and the numbers estimated to have HIV who have not yet been diagnosed. Furthermore, the number of people getting tested for HIV is relatively low. When getting tested after unprotected sex, even at the end of a long term partnership, one should get tested for viruses like HIV, herpes and HPV.

A recent study shows that new evidence-based methods are required to be put in place in order to prevent HIV as there are many areas and facets that have not been researched enough or at all. People still think HIV is something that only people in the third world are at risk of contracting and this is evidenced by the ever increasing numbers of STIs like NSU that are being spread in the UK and around Europe especially among the 15 to 24 year old age group.

NSU treatment is available on prescription only.