Gonorrhoea
How do I know I’ve got it?
- Half of women with gonorrhoea have no symptoms (5 out of every 10 women)
- If men have gonorrhoea infection in their penis about 90% will have some symptoms
The simple answer is to get tested.
Some symptoms that may suggest you have Gonorrhoea are:
Females:
- Pain passing urine
- Change in your discharge
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding after sex
- Pain during sex
- Sore throat
Males:
- Pain passing urine
- Discharge from your penis
- Pain in your testicles
- Rectal pain and discharge
- Sore throat
How do you get it?
- Through direct contact with someone with the infection, through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sexual intercourse (sex with no condom)
- Sharing sex toys
- Infection can also be spread from your genitals to your eyes
- An infected mother can pass it to her baby’s eyes and lungs at birth
Where can I get tested?
- Your GP
- GUM clinic
- FP clinic
- Postal testing kits
- Young person’s clinic
What is the treatment?
- Antibiotics will get rid of the Gonorrhoea.
- Avoid having sex until 1 week after you and your partner(s) have been treated.
- You may need a repeat test to ensure your infection is gone, your doctor/nurse will advise you if this is necessary.
Treating sexual partners
It is essential that your sexual partner(s) are treated. You can discuss this with the health adviser who can help you talk to your partner to get them tested and treated.
What if I don’t get treated?
You may pass on the infection to other partners. Untreated gonorrhoea can spread in your body which can lead to problems with pelvic infection, infertility in men and women.
The best way to prevent all sexually transmitted infections is to practice safer sex. This means using a condom for vaginal, oral or anal sex.