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NGU

Hello!

I am a homosexual man and I have incidents of recurring NGU. Even though I always use a condom for penetrating anal sex (not for oral) I manage to get enteric bacteria in my urethra. I know that because I always test the discharge in the lab. My question is how do I get infected although -and honestly- I use a condom every time? How can I protect my self more? Are condoms eventually not 100% effective?

Thank you in advance
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Avatar universal
Your risk for HIV should be low if there have been no lapses in condom use. However, it could be there was a condom problem at one time or another, given your NGU/prostate problem. And even with consistent condom use, gay men who participate in anal sex are at much higher risk for HIV than heterosexual men and women, and should have routine HIV testing from time to time. If you haven't been tested recently, this is a good time, when it's on your mind. This is also something you can discuss with an ID specialist.
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Avatar universal
Thank you again. I will consult one. I have one last question. What would you say about my risk regarding HIV?
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Avatar universal
An infectious diseases specialist should be able to help.
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Avatar universal
Thank you Howard for yor reply and your advice. You see, first time I was infected was because of Proteus (although I had used a condom consistently and correctly). Then, it was Escherichia and this thing was so persistent that I  had to check and take meds also for my prostate, as you indicated. Afterwards, fully healed I engaged into protected anal again and symptoms just appear already the next day. I don't really know what to do and what to think.
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Avatar universal
Recurrent NGU is a common problem. Usually no specific cause can be found, and most recurrences probably are not actually infections. However, if enteric bacteria are usually detected, there is a possibility you are the exception. The main thing to ask your doctor is whether the infection might have settled into your prostate gland. This is especially likely if it's the same enteric bacteria every time (e.g. E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, etc).  Infections in the prostate are notoriously difficult to eradicate, often requiring several weeks of antibiotics chosen on the basis of tests to show which drugs are most active against that particular bacteria.

If indeed these are individual new infections, all I can suggest is that you use condoms with particular care, or perhaps avoid anal sex for a few months and see what happens.

If there is doubt about any of this, my adivce would be for you to ask for referral to an infectious diseases specialist to sort things out and recommend management.

Good luck!
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