Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea left untreated can cause serious symptoms in men and women.

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

How is it transmitted?

Gonorrhea is passed from person to person during oral, vaginal, or anal sex and can be transmitted by using or sharing contaminated sex toys. Gonorrhea can also be transmitted from an infected person to a baby during childbirth.

What are some of the possible symptoms?

It may take 2 to 7 days or longer for symptoms to appear after exposure to the bacteria. People with gonorrhea can have no symptoms and can unknowingly transmit it to others during sex.

A person with a vagina may experience the following:

• new or different discharge from the vagina
• burning sensation during urination
• pain during sexual intercourse
• pain in lower abdomen
• vaginal bleeding between periods
• vaginal bleeding after intercourse
• fever and chills

A person with a penis may experience the following:

• thick, yellow-green discharge from the penis
• fever and chills
• pain or swelling in the testicles
• burning sensation during urination
• burning or itching at the opening of the penis

Gonorrhea may infect the throat, anus, and eyes and can cause:

• sore throat
• rectal pain
• rectal discharge
• anal itching
• painful bowel movements
• eye swelling

What are some of the possible complications?

Complications may include:

• infertility
• Reiter’s syndrome (a type of arthritis)
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection in the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes
• tubal pregnancy
• problems with the prostate and testicles

How is it diagnosed?

• urine samples and/or
• Swab samples from the vagina, cervix, penis, or from the throat or rectum.

Testing and treatment of your recent sexual partner(s) is recommended whether they have any symptoms or not.

What is the treatment?

• Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics.
• Due to an increased chance of being co-infected with chlamydia, people with positive tests for gonorrhea are also treated for chlamydia.
• Abstain from oral, vaginal, or anal sex for 7 days after you and your partner(s) have been treated.
• Avoid alcohol and antacids while taking the antibiotics.
• Repeat testing may be requested by the health care provider or clinic.

Antibiotics and Pregnancy risk

For individuals using birth control, antibiotics may reduce its effectiveness. It is therefore recommended that a condom and a spermicide be used for the rest of the monthly cycle. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or think that you might be pregnant.

Safer sex

Aside from abstinence, the use barriers like condoms, internal condoms, and /or dental dams every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex can reduce the risks of spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne infections (BBIs). Barriers may help prevent pregnancy and help protect you and your partners from bodily fluids and some skin-to-skin contact, which can both spread infections. If using sex toys, use condoms or wash them thoroughly between uses and between anal and vaginal sex.

For more information, call Public Health Sudbury & Districts Sexual Health Clinic

Sudbury: 705.522.9200
Manitoulin Island: 705.370.9200
Espanola: 705.222.9202
Chapleau: 705.860.9200
Sudbury East: 705.222.9201

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This item was last modified on June 7, 2022