Gonorrhea

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a common STD, or sexually transmitted disease, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae) bacteria. It’s the second most common bacterial STD behind chlamydia.

People who are sexually active may contract gonorrhea by having unprotected sex (oral, anal, or vaginal) with an infected partner. Mothers can pass it to their babies during childbirth. Fortunately, treatment can cure gonorrhea.

Does gonorrhea cause symptoms?

Gonorrhea might not cause any symptoms, which is why routine STD testing (if you have risk factors) is highly important. When not treated, gonorrhea can spread to other people and cause complications. 

If you do have symptoms (about 50% of women and even more men experience symptoms), they may include:

• Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
• Unusual vaginal discharge that is yellow or white
• Pain during urination
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding between periods in women
• Yellow, white, or green penis discharge in men
• Burning or pain with urination
• Swollen or painful testicles in men

It’s also possible to have a gonorrhea infection in your throat via oral sex or in your rectum after having anal sex with an infected partner. 

Symptoms may not develop for several weeks after being infected with gonorrhea.

What are the risk factors for gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea risk factors include:

• Having unprotected sex
• Being under the age of 25
• History of STDs
• Not using a condom during sex
• Having multiple sexual partners
• Men who have sex with men

Using a condom or dental dam during sex reduces the risk of contracting gonorrhea and other STDs. 

Which complications can untreated gonorrhea cause?

When left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to liver inflammation, painful or swollen joints, brain damage, and heart valve damage. It can cause damage to reproductive organs, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in women. In men, untreated gonorrhea can cause testicle inflammation, urethra scarring, prostate problems, and infertility. 

How is gonorrhea diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosing gonorrhea may involve a pelvic exam and taking a cervical fluid sample from women or fluid from the penis in men. Your provider might swab your throat or rectum or have you leave a urine or blood sample. 

Taking antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, but your partner must also be treated. The infection usually clears up within 7-14 days. Avoid sexual intercourse until your provider says it’s okay to avoid spreading the infection. You might need another STD test to ensure the gonorrhea clears.

Get a gonorrhea STD test at NewMed Immediate Care by calling the office, booking an appointment online, or walking into the office today.