Gonorrhea

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a common and treatable STI caused by a bacteria called neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea typically causes a pus-like discharge from the vagina or penis, along with painful urination. It may also be called “the clap” or “the drip” in casual settings—though these are slang terms which may be used as a stigma for those with an STI.

Gonorrhea can infect the genitals, rectum, or mouth. If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to more serious health complications.

How common is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is one of the most common STIs, with around 1.6 million new infections reported in the United States in 2018, according to the CDC. However, many gonorrhea infections are asymptomatic and thus go undetected.

How do people get gonorrhea?

The CDC reports that Gonorrhea is spread by having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who is infected. A pregnant woman can also spread a gonorrhea infection to their infant during childbirth.

Who is at risk for gonorrhea?

Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting a gonorrhea infection. However, according to the CDC, the highest reported cases are among sexually active teenagers and young adults, between the ages of 15 and 24.

Symptoms of gonorrhea

The American Sexual Health Association reports that around 90% of detected gonorrhea cases present with no symptoms. For this reason, it is important to get sexual health screenings regularly, as testing may be your only way to detect an infection.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in women

Many women mistake the symptoms of gonorrhea for something else, like a urinary tract infection or yeast infection. According to the CDC, symptoms of gonorrhea in women can include:

• A change or increase in vaginal discharge
• White, yellow, or green-colored vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding in between periods
• Pain or burning sensations during urination
• Pain or itching around the rectum
• Discharge or bleeding from the rectum
• Painful bowel movements
• Soreness or redness in the mouth or throat

The CDC also states that It is important to note that many cases of gonorrhea in women have mild or no symptoms.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in men

In men, gonorrhea can be mistaken for other sexually transmitted infections, or a urinary tract infection. According to the CDC, common symptoms of gonorrhea in men include:

• White, yellow, or green colored discharge from the penis
• Pain or burning sensations during urination
• Pain or itching around the rectum
• Discharge or bleeding from the rectum
• Painful bowel movements
• Soreness or redness in the mouth or throat
• Painful or swollen testicles (rare)

It is important to note that many cases of gonorrhea in men have mild or no symptoms, according to the CDC.

When to see a doctor

Gonorrhea and other STIs can have few to no symptoms, so regular sexual health screenings are important, in accordance with CDC recommendations. In addition to regular sexual health screenings, you can see a doctor:

• At the first sign of gonorrhea symptoms
• If your partner has symptoms of gonorrhea or tests positive
• If you’ve had unprotected sex and are concerned

The CDC recommends that you be tested for STIs at least once a year, and more often in some cases.

Complications of gonorrhea

If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to serious and sometimes permanent health complications, in addition to spreading to other individuals.

Complications in women

Untreated gonorrhea in women can cause the infection to spread deeper into the reproductive system and create scar tissue. According to the CDC, complications of gonorrhea in women can lead to:

• Infertility caused by scar tissue in the fallopian tubes
• Ectopic pregnancy caused by scar tissue in the fallopian tubes
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

The great news is that gonorrhea is treatable with antibiotic medication. Antibiotic treatments are successful in preventing most complications.

Complications in men

Untreated gonorrhea in men can lead to an infection deeper within the reproductive or urinary tract. Sometimes deeper infection can lead to scar tissue formation. According to the Mayo Clinic, complications of gonorrhea in men include:

• A painful inflammation of the testicles called epididymo-orchitis
• Inflammation of the epididymis (the tube that stores and carries sperm), called Epididymitis
• Infertility caused by inflammation and scar tissue

Gonorrhea is treatable with antibiotic medication, which is successful in preventing most complications. Early detection and treatment are key to avoiding serious complications, notes the Mayo Clinic.

Gonorrhea and pregnancy

A gonorrhea infection can be passed to an infant during vaginal childbirth. This can lead to a serious infection for the infant, according to the CDC.

Most women undergo STI testing during their routine pregnancy check-ups to help prevent this transmission.

Gonorrhea and infants

According to the CDC, if an infant is exposed to gonorrhea during vaginal birth, this can lead to complications like:

• Gonococcal conjunctivitis (an infection of the eyes)
• Bacteremia (serious infection of the bloodstream)
• Meningitis (serious infection of the brain or spinal cord)

It is standard in most healthcare settings to administer Erythromycin eye ointment to an infant after birth, as a prophylactic measure of preventing serious eye infections from gonococcal conjunctivitis.

Getting tested for gonorrhea

The CDC advises regular sexual health screenings are important for the detection of gonorrhea and other STIs.

How is gonorrhea diagnosed?

Gonorrhea is diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, patient history, and laboratory testing. There are a few different testing options for gonorrhea, including:

• Urine testing
• Culture (or “swab”) testing
• At home testing

Urine test for gonorrhea

According to the Mayo Clinic, urine testing is the most common way to test for gonorrhea. During a urine test for gonorrhea, a sample of urine is collected in a sterile collection cup and then sent to a laboratory for testing.

Culture (or “swab”) test for gonorrhea

During a culture test, a cotton-tipped swab is used to collect a sample of cells and fluid from an infected area. For gonorrhea, a culture test may be used to collect a sample from the inside of the vagina or cervix of a woman, or inside of the urethra of a man.

Culture tests can also be used to diagnose gonorrhea of the mouth and anus.

Blood test for gonorrhea

Blood tests are not used to diagnose gonorrhea.

At-home tests for gonorrhea

There are at-home test kits for several STIs, including gonorrhea. At-home test kits are available for purchase from many drug store locations, or online. Most at-home test kits for gonorrhea involve collecting a urine sample. The sample is then either tested with a test strip at home or sent to a laboratory for testing.

Where to get tested for gonorrhea

You can get STI and gonorrhea testing at most healthcare facilities, including:

• Urgent care clinics
• Walk-in clinics
• Primary care clinics
• Gynecological clinics

You can also order a gonorrhea test online directly through Solv.

How long does it take to get gonorrhea test results?

The time in which you can receive your test results will vary, depending on the type of test and testing location. Some offer same-day results, while others may take several days.

Who should be tested for gonorrhea?

The CDC recommends that anyone who is sexually active should be tested for gonorrhea (and other STIs) at least yearly, and more often in certain circumstances. Any woman who is pregnant or plans to become pregnant should also be tested.

What to do if you’ve contracted gonorrhea

If you have a gonorrhea diagnosis, the first step you should take is to speak with your healthcare provider about your treatment options. Next, the CDC recommends that you should speak with any sexual partners who may have been exposed. This includes partners who you’ve had protected sex with.

How often should I get tested for gonorrhea?

The CDC recommends that you be tested for STIs, including gonorrhea, at least once a year. However, they recommend testing every 3 to 6 months if you are:

• Sexually active with multiple partners
• Sexually active with anonymous partners
• A man who has sex with other men
• Having unprotected sex

Early detection and early treatment are key to avoiding complications and stopping the spread of STIs, including gonorrhea.

Getting treated for gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is treatable with approved antibiotics. According to the CDC, the most common antibiotic used to treat gonorrhea is Ceftriaxone. Other antibiotics may be used in the rare case that Ceftriaxone is unavailable or not tolerated.

Ceftriaxone is recommended by the CDC as a single-dose injection.

Can gonorrhea be cured?

Gonorrhea can be cured with proper treatment from antibiotics, however, there is a risk of permanent damage from the infection, notes theCDC.

What happens if I don’t get treatment for gonorrhea?

According to the CDC, if left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to serious complications and permanent damage, such as:

• Deeper infections of the reproductive and urinary tract
• Scar tissue
• Infertility

Because many cases of gonorrhea are asymptomatic, it is important to get regular sexual health screenings.

Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea

According to the CDC, there have been some cases of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea, although these cases are still rare. The best thing you can do to prevent a case of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea is to follow the treatment plan from your healthcare provider.

Natural remedies for gonorrhea

The internet is full of natural remedies for almost everything. However, antibiotics are the only reliable treatment for gonorrhea, according to the CDC.

How can gonorrhea be prevented?

Practicing safe sex can help prevent getting a gonorrhea infection. Safe sex techniques include the following, according to the CDC:

• The proper use of condoms for all penetrative sex
• The proper use of condoms or dental dams for all oral sex

Having open and honest conversations with your sexual partners about their sexual health and recent screenings is also important for preventing gonorrhea.

Common questions about gonorrhea

How do I know if I have gonorrhea?

According to the CDC, many cases of gonorrhea are asymptomatic, meaning you may have little to no symptoms. Because of this, it is important to get regular sexual health screenings (STI testing).

If you do have symptoms of gonorrhea, it could be mistaken for something else. This is another reason why sexual health screenings are an important tool for diagnosing and treating STIs.

How will my healthcare provider know if I have gonorrhea?

Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and sexual activity, as well as order the appropriate testing to determine if you have gonorrhea.

Can I have sex after gonorrhea treatment?

According to the CDC, you should wait 7 days after finishing all treatment before you resume sexual activity.

How long is gonorrhea contagious?

According to the CDC, gonorrhea is no longer contagious after the treatment regimen is completed and there are no symptoms.

Can I have sex while being treated for gonorrhea?

The CDC advised that It is best for all partners if sexual activity is avoided during treatment for gonorrhea.

Which is worse: Chlamydia or gonorrhea?

Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are STIs that can cause serious complications and permanent damage if left untreated. However, both are preventable and curable infections.

Is gonorrhea a permanent STD?

No, gonorrhea is curable with the proper antibiotic treatment, reports the CDC.

How long does gonorrhea stay in your system?

Once you have completed the proper antibiotic treatment and no longer have symptoms, the bacteria that causes a gonorrhea infection is likely gone, according to the CDC.

How long can you have gonorrhea without knowing?

The CDC reports that it is possible to not know you have gonorrhea for a long time—even years. This is because many cases of gonorrhea have no symptoms.

Can gonorrhea be spread through kissing?

Since gonorrhea can infect the mouth and throat, it is possible to spread the bacteria that causes gonorrhea through kissing, notes the CDC.