One common sexually transmitted disease is Gonorrhea, which is spread through having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has Gonorrhea. It is quite common among 15 – 24-year-olds and can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat.
Gonorrhea – The Sneakiest STD Around
Many people are unaware that they have Gonorrhea since it may not even present symptoms. However, it can still cause serious health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), women may experience:
- Painful or burning sensation when peeing
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
Men can experience:
- A burning sensation when peeing
- A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles (although this is less common)
Rectal infections may either cause no symptoms or cause symptoms in both men and women including:
- Discharge
- Anal itching
- Soreness
- Bleeding
- Painful bowel movements
There are only two ways to prevent Gonorrhea completely, and that is to have on a monogamous sexual partner who does not have Gonorrhea, and/or to correctly use condoms during intercourse.
However, if you are sexually active, it’s important to be open and honest with your healthcare provider. You should be tested for Gonorrhea and other STDs regularly if you:
- Are you a sexually active gay or bisexual man
- Are a sexually active woman under the age of 25 with the following risk factors:
- You have multiple sex partners
- You have a sex partner with an STD
I’m Pregnant. Will Gonorrhea Hurt My Baby?
If you’re pregnant and have Gonorrhea, it is possible to give the infection to your baby during delivery. This can cause serious health risks for your child, and you should discuss this with your healthcare provider as early as possible to get proper testing and treatment.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Your healthcare provider will likely take a urine sample to diagnose Gonorrhea. A swab sample form your throat or rectum may be taken if you’ve had oral or anal sex. In some cases, a healthcare provider may even take a sample by swabbing a man’s urethra (urine canal) or a woman’s cervix (the opening to the womb).
If you are prescribed a course of antibiotics or other medication, it is vital that you finish the course. Medication may stop the infection, but it does not eliminate the damage caused by Gonorrhea. In recent years, some drug-resistant strains of Gonorrhea have developed, making it harder to treat in certain cases.
7 days after completing your medication, you are usually able to resume sexual activity. Sex should be avoided until your symptoms are completely gone in order to prevent you or your partner from giving or getting Gonorrhea again.
What if Gonorrhea is Left Untreated?
If Gonorrhea is left untreated, it can cause serious, and sometimes permanent, health problems.
In rare cases, untreated Gonorrhea can spread to your blood or joints and can be life-threatening. However, the most common long-term effects could include infertility in men (due to a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles). It can also cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women, which could possibly lead to infertility as well.
If you think you have this Sexually Transmitted Disease, seek immediate treatment from your healthcare provider. For more information, and to book a confidential appointment with a real healthcare provider, click here.
Gonorrhea The clap The drip Neisseria gonorrhea Gonorrhea symptoms Gonorrhea treatment Gonorrhea prevention Gonorrhea causes Gonorrhea and HIV Gonorrhea and other STIs Gonorrhea and sexual transmission Gonorrhea and discharge Gonorrhea and pain Gonorrhea and antibiotics Gonorrhea and antibiotic resistance Gonorrhea and self-examination Gonorrhea and marginalized communities Gonorrhea and youth Gonorrhea and older adults Gonorrhea and pregnancy Gonorrhea and neonatal gonorrhea Gonorrhea and extragenital infections Difficulty swallowing In Men: A burning sensation during urination A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis Painful or swollen testicles (less common) in Women: A burning sensation during urination Increased vaginal discharge Vaginal bleeding between periodsPainful or swollen pelvic area In Rectum: Discharge Anal itching Soreness Bleeding In throat: Sore throat