About Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae.  It is spread through sexual contact (oral, vaginal, penile, or anal). The bacteria can live in the reproductive organs, eyes, mouth, and rectum. Although gonorrhea is curable, it can become harmful infection if left untreated.

Symptoms

Most women do not have any symptoms. Some women may notice a yellow or yellow-green discharge, abdominal discomfort, frequent urination, and/or discomfort with urination. Men also may have no symptoms, but if they do, it is often a yellow discharge from the penis and frequent urination with discomfort. If the bacteria spread to the rectal area, women and men may note blood or pus in their bowel movements. Oral gonorrhea often has no symptoms, but some people can have a sore throat.

Diagnosing Gonorrhea

Usually, a urine sample or a sample from the throat, urethra or cervix is analyzed for evidence of the bacterium. Your clinician may do an exam, talk with you, and perform the test.

Treating Gonorrhea

Several kinds of antibiotics may be prescribed for the treatment of gonorrhea. You should always tell your partner(s) if you have gonorrhea. Your partner(s) should also have an evaluation and, if necessary, be treated. You should not have sex until both you and your partner(s) complete your treatment.

Complications

If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is an infection that may affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, causing scarring and inferility. The symptoms of PID may include fever, nausea, vomiting, and pelvic or stomach pain. PID also increases a woman's chance of having an ectopic pregnancy - a pregnancy outside the uterus which can be life-threatening for the woman.  In men who go untreated, the bacteria may spread to the tubes that carry sperm, causing scarring that can lead to sterility.

Studies indicate that having a genital discharge disease, like gonorrhea, may increase the risk of getting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Untreated pregnant women can transmit gonorrhea to their babies during childbirth, causing blindness, joint or blood infections in the baby.

How to Protect Against STIs and HIV/AIDS

The only way to guard against getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not to have sex or to have sex only with partners who you know are free of infection. If you do have sex, you should use a latex barrier, such as a male condom, a female condom, or a dental dam, every time. If you are allergic to latex, use a polyurethane condom. Condoms provide protection against against STIs, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Tapestry Health clinicians recommend using such barriers even in combination with other methods of birth control. Latex condoms are preferred to lambskin condoms for the prevention of STIs. 

If you have questions about gonorrhea or any STI, talk to your clinician.