Gonorrhea

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is an infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea can lead to infection of the urethra, cervix, rectum, and throat. However, many people do not know they have gonorrhea, because although they are infected, they do not have any symptoms.

How does someone get gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) with an infected person.

What are the risk factors for gonorrhea?

The primary risk factors for gonorrhea include:

     Engaging in unsafe sex
     Having sex with more than one partner
     Being in a sexual relationship with someone who has multiple sex partners

How can you protect yourself from getting gonorrhea?

The chance of becoming infected with gonorrhea can be reduced by avoiding risky sexual behaviors.

To reduce your risk:

     Use latex or polyurethane condoms during sex
     Limit your number of sex partners

If you have recently been treated or are being treated for gonorrhea, you must make sure your sex partner(s) also receives treatment in order to prevent getting infected again. Sex partners should receive treatment even if they do not have any symptoms.

What are some symptoms of gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea may affect the genitals, rectum, or throat. Many women and men with gonorrhea have no noticeable symptoms, especially with infection of the rectum or throat.

When symptoms in women do occur, these can include:

     Unusual vaginal discharge
     Burning during urination or increased frequency of urination
     Bleeding after intercourse
     Bleeding between periods
     Abdominal or pelvic pain

In men, symptoms of gonorrhea may include:

     Discharge from the penis
     Pain or burning with urination or increased frequency of urination
     Swollen and/or painful testicles

Infection of the rectum can occur from having receptive anal sex. In women, rectal infection more commonly occurs through spread of infection from the vagina. Although often there are no symptoms of rectal infection, they may include rectal discomfort, anal itching, pain, discharge, or bleeding.

Infection of the throat can occur following oral-genital sex with an infected partner. In the throat, gonorrhea may cause a sore throat.

Can infection with gonorrhea lead to other health problems?

When left untreated, gonorrhea can increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, gonorrhea can enter the bloodstream, leading to an infection throughout the body, often causing pain and swelling in the joints.

In women, untreated gonorrhea can spread into the pelvic area and infect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries—leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The symptoms of PID include:

     Abdominal pain
     Lower back pain
     Pain with intercourse
     Bleeding between periods
     Fever

PID can be a very serious condition and requires immediate medical care. It may cause permanent damage to the woman's reproductive organs and can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

In men, untreated gonorrhea can affect the testicles, leading to swelling and pain. Related complications can lead to infertility.

What is the impact of gonorrhea on pregnancy?

Gonorrhea can be passed from mother to baby during birth, infecting the baby's eyes. Without prompt treatment, the infant's eyes can be seriously and permanently damaged.

How is gonorrhea diagnosed?

There are a variety of laboratory tests that can be used to diagnose gonorrhea. Tests are done with either a urine sample or a sample obtained from a woman's cervix or a man's urethra, using a cotton swab. If rectal or throat infection is suspected, samples may also be taken from these sites.

Is there a treatment or cure for gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. Because men and women infected with gonorrhea often also have chlamydia, treatment for chlamydia is often provided as well. It is important to make sure your sex partner(s) also receives treatment in order to prevent getting infected again. Avoid having sex while being treated to reduce the chances of getting the infection again or transmitting it to someone else.

Here are some other pages that might help you:

Condoms Guide
         Types of Condoms
         How To Use Condoms
         Myths About Condoms
         Female Condoms
Lubricant Resource Guide
         Lubricant Guide
Sexual Health Guide
         Sexual Health
         Chlamydia
         Gonorrhea
         HIV Infection / AIDS
         Hepatitis B
         Hepatitis C
         Herpes
         Human Papillomavirus (Genital Warts)
         Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
         Syphilis
         Trichomoniasis