Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. It is the second most common STI in the UK after chlamydia.
Key things to know
If gonorrhoea remains untreated it can spread to other parts of the body and can cause organ damage and infertility. Recent studies have also shown that untreated gonorrhoea can increase your risk of HIV.
Although gonorrhoea is very easy to treat, a major concern is that it may become resistant to the antibiotics that are used to treat it.
If you think you have gonorrhoea, it is important that you get the proper testing, treatment and follow up. To access testing and treatment, visit your GP or your local sexual health clinic. You can also get in touch with us for advice and support.
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Symptoms
Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when peeing and bleeding between periods.
Other possible symptoms include a sore throat or a pain when passing stools.
Many people that have gonorrhoea don’t have any symptoms, so it is worth getting tested regularly.
Transmission and prevention
Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria mainly found in discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluids. It is passed on through vaginal/frontal or anal sex without a condom, but can also be passed on during oral sex or by sharing sex toys.
The best way to protect yourself from getting gonorrhoea is to use a condom for vaginal/frontal, oral and anal sex. You can prevent the transmission of gonorrhoea through sex toys by washing them and covering them with a new condom between partners. Regular sexual health checks are also important and you should get a check-up at least every 6 months.
If you have symptoms (such as unusual discharge) you’ll need some extra swabs, taken by a clinician, to test if you have an antibiotic resistant form of gonorrhoea.
Gonorrhoea can also be passed to your baby during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant and may have gonorrhoea, it’s important to get tested and treated before your baby is born. Without treatment, gonorrhoea can cause permanent blindness in a newborn baby.
Click here to read more about STI testing.
Treatment
Gonorrhoea is easy to treat, but it’s very important that you get the correct treatment and tests afterwards to make sure that the infection has gone. You’ll either be prescribed a one-off dose or short course of antibiotics, usually as an injection plus some tablets.
After treatment you’ll be called back for a retest to make sure that you are all clear of the infection. Some antibiotics offered by online chemists are not fully effective against gonorrhoea, so we recommend checking with a specialist clinic before using these.
Looking for advice?
If you are looking for information and advice on the transmission, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, we are here to help. Get in touch by filling out our contact form.
