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What is it? Gonorrhea is a caused by bacteria. If left untreated, Gonorrhea can cause sterility, arthritis, and heart problems. In women, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in ectopic pregnancy or sterility. During pregnancy, gonorrhea infections can cause premature labor and stillbirth. To prevent serious eye infections that can be caused by gonorrhea, drops of antibiotics are routinely put into the eyes of newborn babies immediately after delivery. More than 600,000 new cases of gonorrhea are reported every year in the U.S. 80% of women and 10% of men with gonorrhea show no symptoms. If they appear, they appear in women within 10 days. It takes from 1-14 days for symptoms to appear in men. Condoms offer very good protection against gonorrhea. Testing for gonorrhea involves microscopic examination of urethral or vaginal discharges. Cultures may be taken from the cervix, throat, urethra, or rectum. Planned Parenthood offers urine testing for gonorrhea.
How is it spread?
Gonorrhea is spread through vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.
Symptoms may include:
Women -
frequent, often burning urination;
menstrual irregularities
pelvic or lower abdominal pain
pain during sex or pelvic examination
yellowish or yellow-green discharge from the vagina
swelling or tenderness of the vulva
arthritic pain.
Men -
pus-like discharge from the urethra
pain during urination.
How is it treated?
Women and men can be successfully treated with oral antibiotics. People with gonorrhea frequently also have chlamydia. They must be treated for both infections at the same time.
