Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is inflammation of the urethra caused by germs other than gonorrhea—most often chlamydia, but also common bacteria or viruses. It creeps in quietly and can mimic a plain bladder infection, so the clues are worth knowing.

The star symptom is burning. It stings at the start of the stream and can linger for a few seconds after you finish.

Itch or raw skin shows up at the tip. You catch yourself adjusting underwear or feel a warm tickle that doesn’t scratch away.

Clear or milky discharge appears. It’s usually small—just a dot in your underwear or a sticky thread when you wake up.

Urgency doubles. You dash every hour, yet only a spoonful comes out, and it still burns.

Some men notice a dull ache behind the balls or a heavy feeling in the lower belly that gets worse after sex.

If the bug climbs higher, the ache can shoot into the balls or lower back, and low-grade fever or chills may join the mix.