What Is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect both men and women and often affects the genital tract, rectum, and throat. Gonorrhea is especially common among people between the ages of 15 and 24. If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems, including infertility.

What Causes Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterial infection that spreads through sexual contact, including:

• Vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner
• Sharing sex toys without proper cleaning or protection
• From a pregnant person to their baby during childbirth

Who Is at Risk for Gonorrhea?

Anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea. However, risk factors include:

• Having multiple sexual partners
• Inconsistent or incorrect condom use
• A history of other STIs
• Being under 25 and sexually active
• Men who have sex with men

Symptoms of Gonorrhea

Many people with gonorrhea do not have noticeable symptoms, especially women. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

In Women:

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Painful urination
• Vaginal bleeding between periods
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Pain during sex

In Men:

• White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
• Painful or swollen testicles
• Burning sensation during urination

In Both:

• Rectal infections: discharge, itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements
• Throat infections: sore throat, though usually no symptoms

How Is Gonorrhea Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is typically done through:

• Urine test – Common for men
• Swab test – From the cervix, throat, rectum, or urethra
• NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) – Highly accurate for detecting gonorrhea bacteria
• Testing for other STIs – Including chlamydia, as co-infection is common

Treatment for Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Due to rising antibiotic resistance, treatment guidelines may change. Typically:

• Single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone is the standard treatment
• Oral antibiotics may be added depending on the infection site or co-infections
• Both partners must be treated to avoid reinfection
• Avoid sex for 7 days after completing treatment

Complications of Untreated Gonorrhea

If not treated early, gonorrhea can lead to serious health problems:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women, which can cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy
• Epididymitis in men, which may affect fertility
• Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) – where the infection spreads to joints, skin, or blood
• Increased risk of HIV transmission
• Infection in newborns – causing blindness, joint infection, or life-threatening conditions

Can Gonorrhea Be Prevented?

Yes, gonorrhea can often be prevented with safer sexual practices:

• Use condoms or dental dams correctly during all sexual activity
• Get tested regularly for STIs, especially if you’re under 25 or have multiple partners
• Mutual monogamy with a tested, uninfected partner
• Avoid sex when symptoms are present
• Do not share sex toys or clean them properly between uses

Living with Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is curable with proper treatment, but reinfection is common. To manage it well:

• Take all prescribed medication exactly as directed
• Tell sexual partners so they can get tested and treated
• Get retested after 3 months or sooner if symptoms return
• Practice safe sex to avoid future infections