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Sexually Transmitted Infections
GONORRHOEA
What is Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection.
What are the symptoms?
Men with gonorrhoea often complain of pain passing urine together with a discharge from the end of the penis, which may be thick and green. They can also complain of pain and swelling of the testicles.
Women may have no symptoms or notice an increase in vaginal discharge, which may be associated with abdominal pain, or pain during sex.
How is gonorrhoea transmitted?
Gonorrhoea is transmitted from one person to another during sex. But remember close genital contact before putting on a condom can be enough to allow gonorrhoea to be passed on.
What problems does Gonorrhoea cause?
- Gonorrhoea can cause infertility in women by damaging the Fallopian tubes.
- It can cause pain and swelling of the testicles in men.
- Occasionally it can cause joint problems and septicaemia (blood poisoning) which can be life threatening.
- Pregnant women can pass the infection to their baby at the time of delivery, causing severe eye infections.
- Occasionally gonorrhoea can cause a pregnant woman to go into labour too early so the baby is born prematurely.
Who should be tested for Gonorrhoea?
- If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above you should be tested for Gonorrhoea.
- If you are a sexual contact of someone who has Gonorrhoea you should be tested too.
- If you just want to be sure that you do not have any sexually transmitted infections, you should ask for a test for gonorrhoea.
What does the test involve?
Gonorrhoea can be found in the throat, the urethra and rectum in men and from all of these sites as well as the cervix in women. A swab can be taken from some or all of these sites to look for Gonorrhoea.
Where can I go to have the test taken?
You can have a test taken for gonorrhoea at the Sexual and Reproductive Health clinic and at your GP.
(See sexual health clinic information.)
How is gonorrhoea treated?
- Gonorrhoea is easily treated with a single dose of antibiotic.
- It is important that you do not have sex with your partner until they have also been tested and treated if required, otherwise you will be re-infected.
- One week after you have had the treatment you will be asked to come back, so that the swab can be repeated to ensure the infection has gone. This is because occasionally gonorrhoea can be resistant to the antibiotics we use. You will be asked not to have sex until this result is available.
How can I make sure that I don’t catch Gonorrhoea again?
- Making sure that you use a condom throughout sex and before any genital contact will reduce the risk of being infected with Gonorrhoea.
- It is also a good idea to make an appointment to come to the sexual and reproductive health clinic with any new partner so that you can be tested together for any infections.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GONORRHOEA PLEASE CONTACT THE HEALTH ADVISORS AT NINEWELLS ON 01382 632 600.
Click here for the latest Gonorrhoea sexual health leaflet (and translations in 9 core languages).