Facts

• In women, Gonorrhea can spread from the cervix to the womb to the fallopian tubes. This often results in Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which can cause an ectopic pregnancy or sterility.
• Gonorrhea is one of the most common bacterial diseases.
• Gonorrhea infections can cause premature delivery and stillbirth.

How it works

• Gonorrhea is spread through sexual contact. This includes vaginal, anal and oral sex.
• It is believed that between 60 and 90% of infected men’s sexual partners will become infected and between 30 and 50 % chance that women’s sexual partners will become infected (Gonorrhea Information).
• It can be passed from a pregnant woman to her unborn child.
• Risk factors include having more than one sexual partner, a partner with a past history of STIs and having unprotected sex.

Symptoms

It is possible to go some time without symptoms. If and when symptoms appear, they are usually as follows:

Women:

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Frequent or painful urination
• Pain during sex or during a pelvic examination
• If the Gonorrhea has spread to the fallopian tubes, women may experience a fever, bleeding between periods and abdominal pain
• Sore throat
• Rectal discharge

Men:

• Unusual discharge
• Pain or burning sensation during urination
• Discharge
• Itching
• Sore throat
• Painful bowel movements

Gonorrhea in the throat:

• Gonorrhea infections of the mouth and throat are usually without symptoms.
• If present, symptoms include soreness and redness in the mouth or throat.

Diagnosis

Gonorrhea is a curable and treatable disease. Your doctor will take a sample swab and sent it to the lab for a biopsy.

Treatment

• Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.
• Penicillin was the most common treatment method but some strands have been showing a resistance to the drug.
• New antibiotics are available in pill format.

Complications:

• If not treated, the bacteria can spread in the bloodstream to the joints, heart and brain. This can cause gonoccal arthritis.
• Women can pass the untreated infection to unborn children.
• Sterility is a possibility if left untreated.

Prevention

• Abstinence is the only method that is 100% effective in preventing Gonorrhea.
• Safe sex (using condoms) and responsible sexual relationships are the next best methods.
• Limit the number of partners you have and be fully aware of their sexual history.

Links

Women’s Health Matters – Sexual Health
Planned Parenthood: Gonorrhea
American Social Health Association
Gonorrhea Information