Gonorrhea

Signs and symptoms

In some cases, gonorrhea may have no symptoms or be mistaken for a bladder infection. Even with no symptoms, gonorrhea may cause serious health issues.

Symptoms may include:

• Painful or burning sensation when peeing
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding between periods
• A white, yellow or green discharge from the penis
• Painful or swollen testicles (less common)

Symptoms from rectal infections

Rectal infections may not cause any symptoms.  If symptoms appear, they may include:

• Discharge
• Anal itching
• Soreness
• Bleeding
• Painful bowel movements

How it Spreads

Gonorrhea can spread through sex without a condom with a partner who has an infection.

A pregnant person with gonorrhea can give the infection to their baby during childbirth.

How to Prevent Gonorrhea

Ways to lower your chances of getting gonorrhea include:

• Using condoms during sexual contact
• Limiting your number of sexual partners
• Taking Doxycycline (Doxy PEP) after having unprotected sex – discuss with your doctor if it is a good choice for you 

The best way to prevent getting gonorrhea is to avoid having vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you are sexually active, it’s important to talk to your partner(s) about their sexual health status.

Pregnant people can give the infection to their baby during childbirth. This can cause serious health problems for the baby. Treating gonorrhea will make health problems for your baby less likely.

Talk to your health care provider about getting tested and treated for gonorrhea.

Treatment and recovery

Gonorrhea is curable. It is important to see a health care provider for treatment. Medication should not be shared and must be taken fully to be effective. Though medication will cure the infection, it will not undo any permanent damage caused by the infection.

Some cases of gonorrhea are drug-resistant. Talk to a health care provider if symptoms continue for more than a few days after treatment.

Wait seven days after finishing all medicine before having sex. You and your partner(s) should avoid having sex until you have both completed treatment and all of your symptoms are gone. This will help prevent you and your partner(s) from giving or getting gonorrhea again.

If you have gonorrhea, you should get be retested about three months after your treatment. This is true even if your partners were treated successfully.

If Left Untreated

If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems. Including:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause:
  • Scarring around the fallopian tubes
  • Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the wo)
  • Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain
• Pain in the tubes next to testicles
• The infection can spread to the blood and joints
• Increased chance of getting HIV
• Infertility (inability to get pregnant or get someone pregnant)

Learn more: About Gonorrhea (CDC)