Urethritis caused by microorganisms other than gonococci is collectively referred to as nongonococcal urethritis (NGU).

Etiology

NGU is mainly triggered by Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis, and patients usually have a history of unsafe sexual intercourse.

Clinical Manifestations

Male Patients

Red and swollen urethral orifice with a small amount of serous discharge. The urethral opening may stick together due to dried secretions in the morning. Stinging pain, itching or discomfort occurs during urination.

Female Patients

Urethritis brings frequent micturition, dysuria and scanty urethral discharge. Cervicitis manifests as swollen and eroded cervical os with mucopurulent secretions, accompanied by lower abdominal discomfort and pruritus of vulva and vagina.

Complications

Male Complications

Epididymitis, prostatitis, Reiter’s syndrome and male infertility.

Female Complications

Urethritis, mucopurulent cervicitis, acute salpingitis, pelvic inflammatory disease and female infertility.

Treatment

Since NGU has complicated pathogenic factors, doctors select antibiotics including azithromycin, doxycycline, ofloxacin, erythromycin, roxithromycin and minocycline based on the patient’s disease course, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests and drug sensitivity tests.

Precautions

Seek standardized and thorough medical treatment promptly after onset to prevent complications. Sexual partners or spouses of patients shall receive simultaneous treatment. Sexual intercourse is prohibited during treatment. Alcohol should be avoided throughout treatment and within three months after recovery. A follow-up recheck is required one week after the end of treatment. Patients must not consider themselves cured simply because symptoms disappear; laboratory test results are required to confirm recovery.

Prevention

Avoid extramarital sexual behavior.

Condom use is recommended during sexual activity.