What is Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is an STI caused by the bacterium Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. It can affect people of all ages, but is most common in young adults, with males more likely to catch it than females. It is treatable with antibiotics however, antimicrobial resistance to gonorrhoea is a serious and growing problem, rendering many classes of antibiotics as ineffective with the risk of becoming untreatable.
Where to get help in Bexley
If you think you might have chlamydia or want to get tested, you can visit your local sexual health clinic or GP in the London Borough of Bexley. They can provide confidential testing and treatment. You can also order a free self-test kit if you're under 25.
For more information, visit the NHS website or contact your local healthcare provider.
Gonorrhoea is transmitted via unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can also be transmitted by sharing sex toys, and from a pregnant person to their baby via childbirth.
Symptoms typically begin between 1-14 days after infection. Oral infections generally have no symptoms (asymptomatic), however, sore throat and redness may occur.
Symptoms in females
Most people with vaginas do not experience symptoms, however if they do, these may be:
- Unusual vaginal discharge (typically green or yellow)
- Burning, or stinging during urination
- Bleeding in between periods or after sex (this is rare)
- Lower abdominal pain
Symptoms in males
- Symptoms are more common in people with penises. These symptoms may include:
- White, yellow or greenish discharge from the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles
- Burning, or stinging during urination
Other symptoms for both sexes
Newborns who are infected may develop an eye infection causing redness, pain, soreness, ulcers and tearing. Eye medication can prevent this. Other symptoms include:
- Pain, bleeding or discharge from your anus (bottom)
- Painful bowel movements
- Itching on or around the genitals or anus
Testing is important because there are strains of gonorrhoea that are becoming resistant to antibiotics. This can make it difficult to treat, with a higher rate of reinfection. Untreated infection can lead to serious health problems or infertility.
Gonorrhoea is spread through vaginal fluid and semen. It can pass from person to person by having vaginal, oral or anal sex without a condom. If you have gonorrhoea when you're pregnant, it can pass to your baby during birth.
To avoid getting gonorrhoea:
- Use condoms when you have vaginal or anal sex.
- Use a condom to cover the penis, or a latex or plastic square (dam) to cover the vagina if you have oral sex.
- Test after every new sexual partner, or every year if you do not change sexual partners regularly.
- Wait until your test of cure, or at least 7 days after treatment before resuming sexual contact or intercourse.
- Do not share sex toys (if you do, wash and cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them).
Treatment is a single antibiotic injection (ceftriaxone) or in cases where this is unsuitable you may get a course of antibiotic tablets (azithromycin and cefixime). It is important to avoid sexual contact, including intercourse for at least 7 days after treatment, and test 14 days after treatment to ensure it has worked (test of cure).
A doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and sexual partners. A swab sample will be taken from your penis or vagina to be checked under a microscope. They may also need to take a swab from your anus, throat or eyes if these areas are affected. You will be treated with an antibiotic injection on the same day, even if you have to wait for your results. You can be tested even if you do not have any symptoms. You may also be offered tests for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at the same time.
It is important to inform your previous sexual partners if you test positive for gonorrhoea. A sexual health clinic may assist you with contacting them or do this for you anonymously.
Untreated gonorrhoea can cause complications in both sexes. Females may experience ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Males may experience scrotal swelling, infertility, and urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra). If left untreated with newborns, it may lead to blindness. In rare cases, gonorrhoea can spread and infect the internal organs, joints and skin.
If you are pregnant, Gonorrhoea may cause premature birth, and your baby may have a low birth weight. There is also a risk that your baby can get gonococcal conjunctivitis (gonorrhoea eye infection) during childbirth which can lead to blindless if left untreated. It is important to get tested as soon as possible if you have symptoms, so you can be treated before your baby is born.