Non-specific urethritis (NSU)
Non-specific urethritis (NSU) is an inflammation of a man’s urethra. This inflammation can be caused by several different types of infection, the most common being chlamydia.
Signs and symptoms
NSU may be experienced months or even in some cases years into a relationship. The symptoms of NSU may include:
* pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
* a white/cloudy fluid from the tip of the penis. This may be more noticeable first thing in the morning
* feeling that you need to pass urine frequently
Often there may be no symptoms, but this does not mean that you cannot pass the infection on to your partner(s).
How NSU develops
NSU is almost always caused through sexual infection. Very rarely it can result from an allergic reaction, such as to bubble baths or washing powders or other chemicals.
Where to go for help
* Your local NHS sexual health (GUM) clinic.
You can find details of your nearest NHS sexual health clinic in the phone book under genito-urinary medicine (GUM), sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or venereal diseases (VD). Or phone your local hospital and ask for the ’special’ or GUM clinic. Our help and advice page links to websites which can tell you where to find your nearest clinic.
You will get free, confidential advice and treatment. You can go to any clinic anywhere in the country - you don’t have to go to a local one - and you don’t have to be referred by your GP. (Non-NHS sexual health clinics may not always offer the full range of services which are available at NHS sexual health clinics.)
* Your own GP.
* If you are in the UK, go to www.playingsafely.co.uk to find details of STD clinics.