What is Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
It can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat and is particularly prevalent among young people aged 15-24. Gonorrhoea can affect both men and women and, if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications, including infertility and life-threatening conditions if it spreads to the blood or joints.
Signs and Symptoms of Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea often has no symptoms, especially in women, making it a silent infection that can cause significant health problems if not diagnosed and treated early. When symptoms do occur, they can vary between men and women and may take between 2 to 10 days after exposure to appear.
Gonorrhoea Symptoms in Women
Women with gonorrhoea may experience:
- Painful or burning sensation when urinating
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if infected through anal sex)
- Discomfort during bowel movements
Because the symptoms can be mild and resemble other conditions such as bladder or vaginal infections, many women may not realize they have gonorrhoea, which increases the risk of complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Gonorrhoea Symptoms in Men
Men with gonorrhoea may notice:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
- Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (less common)
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if infected through anal sex)
- Discomfort during bowel movements
Although men are less likely than women to suffer severe complications, untreated gonorrhoea can lead to epididymitis, a painful condition that may cause infertility.
Symptoms from Rectal Infections
Both men and women can develop rectal infections from gonorrhoea, particularly through anal sex. Symptoms may include:
- Discharge from the rectum
- Anal itching and soreness
- Bleeding
- Painful bowel movements
These symptoms can be easily overlooked or mistaken for other conditions, so it’s important to seek testing if you suspect an infection.
How Do You Get Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. It can also be spread by sharing sex toys or through contact with infected bodily fluids.
The infection can be passed even when an infected person shows no symptoms. Pregnant women with gonorrhoea can pass the infection to their baby during childbirth, potentially causing serious complications for the newborn, such as eye infections or pneumonia.
Testing for Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea can be diagnosed through a simple test. For most people, a urine sample is sufficient for diagnosis. However, if you have had oral or anal sex, your healthcare provider may also take swabs from the throat, rectum, or in some cases, from the cervix in women or the urethra in men.
Regular testing is recommended for sexually active individuals, especially those with new or multiple partners. Early detection is crucial to prevent the infection from leading to more severe health issues.
Treatment for Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is typically treated with antibiotics. However, some strains of gonorrhoea have developed resistance to antibiotics, making treatment more challenging. It’s essential to take the full course of prescribed medication and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions closely. You should also inform all recent sexual partners so they can be tested and treated if necessary.
You should avoid sexual activity until seven days after completing the treatment and your symptoms have fully resolved. Retesting is recommended about three months after treatment, as reinfection is common, especially if your partner was not treated or if you continue to engage in high-risk sexual activities.
Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to severe health problems. In women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), leading to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. In men, complications are less common but can include epididymitis, which may result in infertility. Rarely, untreated gonorrhoea can spread to the blood or joints, causing life-threatening conditions.
Telling Your Partner About Gonorrhoea
If you have gonorrhoea, it’s crucial to inform your current sexual partners and anyone else you’ve had sex with in the past six months. Notify your partners anonymously about an STI with TellYourPartner.com.
They may have gonorrhoea without knowing it, so it’s important they get tested and treated to prevent further spread of the infection.
TellYourPartner.com allows you to notify your partners anonymously, ensuring they receive the information they need to protect their health without revealing your identity.