Non-specific urethritis (NSU)

There may be no symptoms but up to three weeks after becoming infected you might get a whiteish discharge from your penis.

You might also feel an itching or burning inside your penis, especially when urinating.

Bacteria are usually the cause of NSU. They live inside a man’s mouth, penis or rectum and get into his partner’s penis when they have unprotected oral or anal sex. He might also carry the bacteria on his fingers to his penis after touching an infected part of his own or someone else’s body.

Using condoms cuts the risk of NSU. Sometimes NSU is inflammation caused by friction from masturbation and sex, or even a reaction to things like soap.

If a man has HIV, having untreated NSU makes it more likely he’ll pass on HIV during unprotected sex.

There’s a urine test for NSU or a sample is taken from the opening of your penis using a swab (small cotton bud). This might be uncomfortable for a second or two.

A course of antibiotics will cure NSU. Sex should be avoided until treatment has finished, to avoid passing on NSU. Sexual partners also need to be checked - a clinic can contact them anonymously. Untreated NSU sometimes causes serious problems such as arthritis.

Most people get tested and treated for infections like NSU at sexual health (or ‘GUM’) clinics. It’s free and confidential, and your GP (family doctor) or anyone else won’t be told about your visit. Some GP surgeries also test for and treat these infections.

The more people you have sex with, especially unprotected sex, the more chance of infections like NSU. You can have them without knowing so regular check-ups are a good idea, especially if you are starting a new relationship and/or you want to stop using condoms with your partner.