Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can infect the genitals, rectum and throat. It is especially common among young people aged 15–24, and it can be cured.
Symptoms
Many people have none.
| Who | Possible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Women | usually none, or mild ones mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection: burning when peeing, more vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods |
| Men | burning when peeing; white, yellow or green discharge from the penis; less often, painful or swollen testicles |
| Rectal infection (anyone) | none, or discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, painful bowel movements |
See a provider if you notice symptoms — or if a partner has an STI or its signs.
How it spreads
Through vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom with someone who has it. A pregnant woman can pass it to her baby during childbirth, which can cause serious problems for the baby — so pregnant women should ask about testing and get treated as soon as possible.
Lowering your risk
The only sure way to avoid STIs is not to have vaginal, anal or oral sex. Otherwise:
- a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has tested negative;
- condoms, used correctly, every time.
Testing
Talk openly with your provider about whether to be tested. CDC recommends yearly tests for:
- sexually active gay and bisexual men;
- sexually active women under 25;
- women 25 and older with risk factors, such as a new partner, several partners, or a partner with an STI.
Testing is also recommended in pregnancy in some cases. Usually a urine sample is enough; after oral or anal sex, swabs of the throat or rectum may be taken, and sometimes of the urethra or cervix.
Treatment
The right medicine cures gonorrhea, but it cannot undo damage already done.
- Take all of it, and don't share it.
- Drug-resistant strains are increasing: go back if symptoms last more than a few days after treatment.
- Wait seven days after finishing treatment before sex, and until partners have finished theirs and symptoms are gone.
- Get retested about three months later, even if partners were treated. Having had gonorrhea does not protect you from catching it again.
If it goes untreated
- Women: pelvic inflammatory disease, which can scar the fallopian tubes and cause ectopic pregnancy, infertility and long-term pelvic pain.
- Men: a painful condition of the tubes attached to the testicles, rarely leading to infertility.
- Anyone: rarely, spread to the blood or joints, which can be life-threatening; and a higher chance of getting or passing on HIV.
Sources
Based on "Gonorrhea – CDC Fact Sheet," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. A stock photo collage is not reproduced.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from www.cdc.gov
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