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STD FACT SHEETS > Nongonococcal Urethritis (NGU)
NONGONOCOCCAL URETHRITIS (NGU)

Nongonococcal urethritis or NGU is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that occurs in males. It is actually an infection of the urethra, the tube carrying urine from the bladder. A diagnosis of NGU is made, once it is determined that the infection is not from gonorrhea, i.e.-nongonococcal. It may be caused by one of several other infectious agents, the most significant being Chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis also causes chlamydial infection in females. However, symptoms in females affect the reproductive tract rather than the urethra.

NGU is not a reportable disease, however, chlamydia, the most common cause, is reportable. In 1998, chlamydial infection occurred at a rate of 382.2 cases per 100,000 females and 83.1 per 100,000 males in the United States. The rate among men is one-fifth of the rate of females. This may be due to males being treated for NGU, but without testing or reporting of chlamydia.

Since NGU affects the urethra in males, symptoms include burning on urination and penile discharge. In some cases symptoms are very mild or nonexistent. A diagnosis of NGU is made once testing rules out gonorrhea. Antibiotic medication is used to treat NGU once diagnosis is established. Males should not resume sexual activity until all medication is finished. Long-term complications include epididymitis, an infection of a small duct located within the testicles or Reiter's syndrome, a group of symptoms involving the urethra, joints and conjunctiva.

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Fast facts:
  • Healthcare providers should be consulted if males experience urinary symptoms.

  • Limiting the number of sex partners will lessen the chance of being exposed to chlamydia, as well as other STDs.

  • Use of barrier contraception (in particular male and female condoms, but also diaphragms and vaginal spermicides) every time sexual intercourse occurs will also decrease the chance of exposure to chlamydia and other STDs.

  • Sexually active males and females should be tested for chlamydia at least once a year. Additional testing should be done if a person develops symptoms (see above).

  • Persons with chlamydia should also be tested for other STDs. For example, those with chlamydia often have gonorrhea.

  • The sex partner(s) of those diagnosed with NGU should be tested and when necessary, they should be treated. Complications in females can be very serious.
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