Are you at risk of gonorrhoea?
Are you at risk of gonorrhoea? Also known as 'the clap', gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is often symptomless, but the bacterial infection can cause a watery, green discharge from the penis and in vaginal fluid.
Gonorrhoea was believed to have been eradicated but the STI has seen a resurgence, with over 44,000 cases reported in 2017, an increase of 22 per cent compared to the previous year.
We look at gonorrhoea symptoms, causes, treatments and prevention tips:
What is gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae– that lives in warm moist parts of the body such as the rectum, penis and vagina and occasionally in the throat and eyes.
Gonorrhoea can be passed on by:
Unprotected vaginal, oral sex or anal sex.
Using sex toys that are infected with the bacteria.
Gonorrhoea can also be passed from mother to baby during the birth. This can cause inflammation and discharge in the baby’s eyes (conjunctivitis) and if left untreated can cause blindness.
⚠️ Bacteria that cause gonorrhoea cannot survive outside the body for long periods, so cannot be spread by from toilet seats, towels, cutlery or swimming pools.
Gonorrhoea signs and symptoms
Symptoms of gonorrhoea can show up within two weeks of coming into contact with gonorrhoea but can also show many months later. Around 50 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men with genital gonorrhoea do not have any obvious signs or symptoms.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in men
An unusual discharge from the tip of the penis – the discharge may be white, yellow or green.
Pain when passing urine.
Rarely, pain or tenderness in the testicles.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in women
An unusual vaginal discharge which may be thin or watery, yellow or green.
Pain when passing urine.
Lower abdominal pain or tenderness.
Bleeding between periods, having heavier periods or bleeding after sex.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in men and women
Pain or discomfort of the anal area due to infection in the rectum, this may also cause discharge if the infection is severe.
Gonorrhoea infection in the eyes can cause conjunctivitis, with pain, swelling, irritation and possibly a sticky discharge.
Gonorrhoea in the throat doesn’t usually cause any symptoms, having a swab of your throat will confirm if the throat is infected.
How to get tested for gonorrhoea
Visiting your GP or a sexual health clinic to get tested for gonorrhoea is free. Gonorrhoea is not routinely tested for and is not detected by cervical smear tests.
If you prefer you can have a gonorrhoea test at a private clinic or use a home test kit.
You should get tested if you have any symptoms of gonorrhoea or have had unprotected sex with a new partner.
What does the test for gonorrhoea involve?
The diagnosis of gonorrhoea involves taking samples from various areas that may be infected by the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea.
• Gonorrhoea tests for women
A gonorrhoea test for women may involve taking swab from vagina and cervix during an internal examination or you may be given a swab stick to swab yourself around the inside of the vagina.
• Gonorrhoea tests for men
As part of a gonorrhoea test for men you will be asked to provide a urine sample.
For both men and women, a swab of the eyes, throat, rectum and the urethra may be taken. This is not done routinely and will depend on whether you have had anal or oral sex.
• Gonorrhoea test results
Results of these tests can take up to two weeks to confirm whether you have got a gonorrhoea infection.
Is gonorrhoea serious?
Gonorrhoea can cause complications for some people. If left untreated you risk the infection causing long-term damage.
• Gonorrhoea potential complications for women
For women this can include the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease. This can lead to long-term pelvic pain, inflammation of the fallopian tubes, problems with infertility and increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
It's particularly important for pregnant women to have gonorrhoea treated as it can lead to complications for the mother and baby including miscarriage or an early labour.
• Gonorrhoea potential complications for women
In men, complications of gonorrhoea can include a painful inflammation and infection of the testicles that may reduce fertility.
The more times you have gonorrhoea the more likely you are to get complications, which can also include pain and inflammation of joints and skin lesions. Practising safe sex (using a condom) is the best way to protect yourself and your partner(s).
Gonorrhoea treatment
Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics. Treatment usually involves having just one injection of the antibiotic ceftriazone, together with a single oral dose of the antibiotic azithromycin. Two different antibiotics are used to make sure that the bacterial infection of gonorrhoea is cleared effectively.
If your doctor suspected that your signs are symptoms are typical of gonorrhoea, then you may be given the antibiotics before your test results confirm gonorrhoea.
If you have symptoms of gonorrhoea these should start to improve within a few days after taking the antibiotics, but it may take up to two weeks for any pain to improve. You may be offered a follow-up test two weeks after treatment to make sure the infection has cleared.
Gonorrhoea prevention
To prevent the spread of gonorrhoea, make sure you do the following:
✔️ Use a barrier method of contraception, such as condoms.
✔️ Have regular STI check-ups. It’s recommended to have an STI test each time you change sexual partner.
✔️ Avoid the use of sex toys that aren't yours, or wash them thoroughly before use and use a condom on the sex toy.
✔️ Make sure your partner and previous partners are tested and treated for gonorrhoea. Your sexual health clinic may be able help to contact them – they can send them a contact slip suggesting that they get tested. This service is totally confidential and your details are not disclosed.
Where to find a sexual health clinic
For information on where to get tested for STIs including gonorrhoea, try one of the following resources:
Ask your GP for advice.
Find a sexual clinic near you.
Try Brook's Find a Service tool
Find contraceptive services near you.
Call the national sexual health line 0300 123 7123.
Call Worth Talking About on 0300 123 2930 (for under-18s).
Last updated: 18-02-2020
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