How Do I Get Tested For Non-Gonoccocal Urethritis/NGU?

Question: How Do I Get Tested For Non-Gonoccocal Urethritis/NGU?

Answer:

NGU is any kind of urethritis that is caused by a disease other than gonorrhea. Therefore, before NGU is suspected, you will first be tested to rule out gonorrhea.

If you have urethritis and are negative for gonorrhea, your healthcare provider will test you for chlamydia and other possible causes of NGU. Generally your provider will take a urine sample and/or one or more swabs from your urethra. Those samples will be sent to a laboratory, which will test them to determine what infection is causing your discomfort. Your provider may also do additional tests to rule out other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis - or other conditions which frequently occur simultaneously with NGU.