Gonorrhea infection can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, causing damage & serious problems.
In women, it can cause:
- life-threatening complications such as ectopic pregnancy (outside the womb)
- blocked fallopian tubes (the tubes which carry the egg from the ovaries to the womb), which can result in reduced fertility or infertility
- long-term pelvic pain
In men, it can lead to:
- painful inflammation of the testicles, which may result in reduced fertility or sterility
Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, some men have signs or symptoms that appear two to five days after infection; symptoms can take as long as 30 days to appear. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.
In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be so non-specific as to be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.
Symptoms of rectal infection in both men and women may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements. Rectal infection also may cause no symptoms. Infections in the throat may cause a sore throat but usually causes no symptoms.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in women
Bleeding
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding during or after sex or between periods.
- Irregular menstrual bleeding.
- Abnormal vaginal discharge.
- Anal itching, pain, bleeding, or discharge.
Fever
- Fever and general tiredness.
Intercourse
- Pain during intercourse
Itch
- Genital itching.
- Redness, itching, or discharges of the eyes (for gonorrhea in the eye)
- Rash
Pain
- Lower abdominal pain.
- Joint pain or arthritis
- Inflamed tendons
- Pain, discharge, and bleeding from the anus (for gonorrhea in the anus)
Rare Symptoms
- Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) (rare).
Swelling
- Swollen and painful glands at the opening of the vagina (Bartholin glands).
Throat
- Sore throat (for gonorrhea in the throat)
- Sore throat (rare).
Urination
- Painful or frequent urination.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in men
- white, yellow or green thick discharge from the tip of the penis
- inflammation of the testicles & prostate gland
- irritation or discharge from the anus
- urethral itch & pain or burning sensation when passing urine
A urine test & a swab test - collecting fluid from the penis or vagina by placing a swab in the opening of the urethra; this causes brief discomfort.
- giving a sample of urine
- a genital examination by a doctor or nurse
- taking swabs from the cervix (entrance to the womb), urethra (tube where the urine comes out), throat or rectum
- women may have an internal examination
- Do you have any discharge? If you have discharge from your vagina or penis, it is important to note any smell or color.
- Do you have sores in your genital area or anywhere else on your body?
- Do you have any urinary symptoms, including frequent urination, burning or stinging with urination, or urinating in small amounts?
- Do you have any unusual belly or pelvic pain?
- What method of birth control do you use? Do you use a condom to protect against STDs every time you have sex?
- Do you or your partner engage in high-risk sexual behaviors?
- Have you had an STD in the past? How was it treated?
- A woman will have a pelvic exam.
- A man will have a genital exam to look for signs of urethritis and epididymitis.
Treatment of Gonorrhea
Prescription antibiotic medicine normally cures gonorrhea infections. Gonorrhea does not cause long-term problems if it is treated before any complications develop. However, gonorrhea can lead to many complications if it is not treated.Early treatment is simple & effective, & involves a single dose of antibiotics. In addition, the treatment of chlamydia is also advocated. (It is common to have these two STD infections together - 50% have both)
Treatment of Gonorrhea:
* Cipro® XR 500 mg a single dose, or
* Levaquin® 500 mg a single dose, or
* Tequin® 400 mg a single dose;
To avoid re-infection, any sexual partners should be treated too.
It's important not to have unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex until treatment is completed & the infection has cleared up
Once it has been successfully treated, it won't come back unless a new infection is picked up.
If you have been diagnosed with gonorrhea:
- Take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. If you skip doses or do not complete the treatment, the infection may not be cured.
- Do not have sexual contact with anyone while you are being treated. If your treatment is a single dose of antibiotics, wait at least 7 days after taking the dose before having any sexual contact.
- Make sure your partner knows that he or she needs to be treated even if there are no symptoms. You can spread the infection to others even if you do not have symptoms.
- Call your doctor if your symptoms continue or reappear after treatment or if new symptoms develop. You may need a different antibiotic medicine or further evaluation.
Antibiotics, if taken exactly as directed, normally cure gonorrhea infections. If antibiotics are not taken properly, the infection will not be cured. Prompt antibiotic treatment also prevents the spread of the infection and decreases complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Avoid all sexual contact while you are being treated for an STD. People taking a single dose of medicine should not have any sexual contact for 7 days after treatment to give the medicine time to work. Exposed sex partners need treatment whether they have symptoms or not.
