Frankly, I feel that there hasn't been enough contribution to the Sexual Health Issues Section and I believe that there should be more information abt the risks involved when anyone wants to indulge in sex (commercial or not).
This shall be my 3rd Contribution to the section. Sam, if you are reading this, if you warrant this to be a sticky, I thank you on behalf of the samsters. If not any samster reading this please post a reply to keep the thread on top. Do not quote the whole post. Thanks.
Apart from giving information. I hope that this thread can help to provide support for our brudders out there who might already have it.
Cheers and till then, Cheong Safely!
Non-specific Urethritis (NSU)
What is it and how is it passed on?
Non-specific urethritis (NSU) is an inflammation of the urethra (the tube where urine comes out) that affects men only. It may also be called non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU).
It is usually caused by vaginal, oral or anal sex with a partner who already has a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It's called 'non-specific' as a variety of infections can cause it, the most common being chlamydia.
Other causes include:
other genital or urinary tract infections
damage to the delicate urethra through vigorous sex or masturbation
a urine or bladder infection, although this is rare in young men
You can't catch NSU from kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, cups, plates or cutlery, or from toilet seats.
Signs and symptoms
NSU has three main symptoms:
white/cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis, which is often more obvious first thing in the morning
pain, irritation or a burning sensation when passing urine
wanting to pass urine often
Testing and treatment
Tests for NSU shouldn't be painful, although they may be uncomfortable. They may include:
genital examination by a doctor or nurse
taking swabs from the penis or urethra
taking a urine sample
It's important not to pass urine for at least four hours - and sometimes overnight - before a urine sample of swab is taken. Your doctor will advise you about this.
NSU is easily treated with antibiotics, although damage to the urethra can take time to heal. Vaginal, oral and anal sex should be avoided until the treatment is completed and the infection has cleared up. To avoid re-infection, any sexual partners should also be treated. Using condoms won't provide full protection against re-infection.
After treatments, a check-up is usually required to ensure the infection has cleared up. Sometimes, a second course of antibiotics is needed.
Cutting down on alcohol during treatment may be helpful as it can irritate the urethra.
What happens if it isn't treated?
If left untreated, NSU can sometimes cause serious health problems, including:
inflammation of the testicles, leading to reduced fertility
occasionally, Reiter's syndrome - inflammation of the joints, urethra and eyes