Gonorrhoea

What is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI.) Sexually transmitted infections are bacteria (germs) that can be passed from one person to another during sex or intimate contact (foreplay.)

Gonorrhoea can affect both men and women.

How do you catch gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea can be passed from one person during any kind of sex or intimate contact.

You don't have to be having penetrative sex to catch gonorrhoea. It can be spread by acts involved in foreplay, such as oral sex (giving and receiving), sharing sex toys or touching other peoples’ genitals and then touching your own without washing your hands.

You cannot catch gonorrhoea from toilet seats, cups and cutlery or from being in a swimming pool with someone who has gonorrhoea.

What symptoms might I get if I have gonorrhoea?

The symptoms that you may get depend on the part of your body that is infected with gonorrhoea. Gonorrhoea can live in the urethra, vagina, rectum and throat.

Women with gonorrhoea may notice:

  • Pain when passing urine
  • Discharge from the vagina
  • Bleeding between periods

Men with gonorrhoea may notice:

  • Pain when passing urine
  • Discharge from the tip of the penis
  • Painful or swollen testicles

If your rectum is infected with gonorrhoea, you may notice:

  • Bleeding or discharge coming from the anus
  • Itching of the anus
  • Pain in the anus, especially when going to the toilet

If your throat is infected with gonorrhoea, you may notice a sore throat.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should speak to a doctor or a nurse as soon as possible.

However, most people with gonorrhoea do not have any symptoms and don’t even know that they have it!

How will I be tested for gonorrhoea?

Tests for gonorrhoea are carried out in a sexual health clinic, such as Conifer House. A doctor or nurse will use a cotton bud to take samples of fluid from parts of your body that could be infected with gonorrhoea. This is known as taking a swab. The cotton bud is then sent to the laboratory to look for the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea. In women, the most common site of infection is the cervix (neck of the womb.) In men, the most common site of infection is the urethra. Swabs may be taken from the anus or throat if you think you might be infected there.

The doctor or nurse may also ask you to provide a urine sample, to be tested for the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea.

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Gonorrhoea is easily treated with antibiotics. You are unlikely to develop any serious problems if your gonorrhoea is treated early.

What might happen if I don't get treated for gonorrhoea?

Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to serious health problems in both men and women.

In women, gonorrhoea can spread from your vagina to other reproductive organs, (such as your womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries,) leading to a condition called 'pelvic inflammatory disease'. This can cause pain and permanent damage to your body, leaving you unable to have children.

In men, gonorrhoea can spread to your penis to your testicles, causing them to become swollen and painful. Your testicles can be permanently damaged, leaving you unable to have children.

In rare cases, gonorrhoea has been known to pass into the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, such as the joints and the brain. When gonorrhoea spreads to the brain it causes meningitis, which can leave you with brain damage or even cause death.

How do I protect myself against gonorrhoea?

Always protect yourself by using a condom when you have sex. Dental dams and flavoured condoms can protect you when you have oral sex. Avoid sharing sex toys, but if you do, cover them in a separate condom for each person.

Have regular check-ups at your local sexual health clinic, such as Conifer House.