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Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, also known as gonococcus or ‘the clap’, and can cause many different symptoms. It can pass from person to person through unprotected oral sex, anal sex, or vaginal sex.
People with numerous sexual partners or those who don’t use protection are at a greater risk of contracting the infection. Early diagnosis is important to prevent complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or testicular infection. If you think you might be suffering from gonorrhoea, it’s important to visit your local sexual health clinic for a discreet and confidential test. Testing for gonorrhoea is essential, as symptoms can be mild or absent, leading to misdiagnosis as other infections.
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection that can affect anyone who is sexually active, with certain risk factors increasing your chances of contracting the infection. Engaging in unprotected sex, whether vaginal, oral, or anal, can significantly raise your risk, especially if you have multiple sexual partners.
Sharing sex toys without proper cleaning or without using a condom with new sexual partners can also facilitate the spread of gonorrhoea. Individuals who have previously had other STIs, such as chlamydia, can be at a higher risk of gonorrhoea infection. Being aware of these risk factors is essential for anyone who is sexually active. You can reduce your risk by:
If you are concerned about your risk of infection, don’t hesitate to get tested and discuss your sexual health with a healthcare provider.
Gonorrhoea tends to infect the moist and warm parts of the body, and can be a result of unprotected sexual contact, or by touching the eyes with infected fluid.
Some of the most common places for gonorrhoea to infect are:
Gonorrhoea can affect the eyes and can cause sensitivity to light, eye pain, and pus-like discharge from one or both eyes.
Signs and symptoms of a Gonorrhoea infection in the urethra include dysuria, or a white, green, or yellow discharge that usually appears 1-14 days after contracting Gonorrhoea.
Symptoms of a throat infection caused by Gonorrhoea include a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Many people believe that Gonorrhoea only affects men, but this is not true. Gonorrhoea can also affect women, and their symptoms of Gonorrhoea include an unusual discharge of vaginal fluid, pain or a burning sensation when urinating, pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal area, bleeding (especially after sex), and heavier periods.
In women, Gonorrhoea infections can also spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). The symptoms can be very mild or extremely severe and can include abdominal pain and fever. PID can lead to internal abscesses and chronic pelvic pain.
Gonorrhoea symptoms can affect the rectum and include anal itching, pus-like discharge, bright red blood on the toilet tissue, bright red spots, and having to strain during bowel movements.
If one or more joints become infected with bacteria (known as septic arthritis), the affected joints may be warm, swollen, red, and very painful, especially with movement.
Gonorrhoea symptoms should be assessed as soon as they appear, although this infection can often remain asymptomatic. It is estimated that around 10% of men and up to 50% of women with gonorrhoea may experience no noticeable symptoms, which is why regular testing is important.
In recent years, cases of gonorrhoea have increased. When symptoms do develop, they typically appear within two weeks of infection, although in some cases they may take several months to present. Broadgate GP offers confidential same-day testing and treatment in-clinic near Liverpool Street, as well as video consultations for initial advice and guidance.
When Gonorrhoea symptoms do show themselves in women, they may include:
When diagnosed early and proper Gonorrhoea treatment is carried out, Gonorrhoea can be completely cured, therefore stopping any complications or long-term health problems. When left undiagnosed or untreated, gonorrhoea symptoms can worsen and cause long-term health issues in other parts of the body. The more frequently an individual is infected, the greater the chances of developing a complication. In women, the complications of gonorrhoea can be:
If a woman is pregnant and becomes infected with gonorrhoea, there is an increased risk for infants born to mothers with gonorrhoea. This can lead to serious health complications and risks for your baby, such as miscarriage and premature birth. Early intervention is important to prevent complications. If the baby is born or infected with gonorrhoea at birth, then it must be treated with antibiotics immediately. Failure to do so can lead to permanent damage to the baby’s eyesight. To learn more about how STDs affect women differently, check out our blog on The Impact of STDs on Women now!
When symptoms do show themselves in men, they may include:
In rare cases, gonorrhoea can cause a painful infection in the testicle and/or prostate gland. An untreated infection can affect the prostate gland, leading to painful infections that may impact fertility. When left untreated, it has also been known to spread into the bloodstream and cause septicaemia.
Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or gonococcus. These bacteria can grow in the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes of women, and in the urethra of both women and men. The infection can also occur in the mouth, throat, and anus. The gonorrhoea bacteria are mainly found in vaginal fluid and normal penile discharge, and are easily passed between people through:
Using barrier methods such as male or female condoms, flavored condoms, or dental dams during oral sex can reduce the risk of transmission.
Because the bacteria cannot survive outside of the body for long, you cannot catch gonorrhoea through kissing, hugging, sharing cups, cutlery, towels, or baths, or by using a public toilet. The best method of prevention is to use male or female condoms every time you have sex. The MenB vaccine can provide some protection against gonorrhoea, particularly for men who have sex with men and are at higher risk. For more information, check out our blog on Prevent the Spread of STDs.
Here at Broadgate GP practice, our gonorrhoea patients are offered treatment with a single dose of antibiotics, which can be given as an antibiotic injection or as tablets. Treatment may be started before test results are back if there is a high chance you have gonorrhoea, or if a partner was diagnosed with gonorrhoea in the previous two weeks. You’ll also be offered treatment based on your test results or risk assessment to prevent further transmission and other complications.
A doctor or nurse will usually use a small cotton bud (swab) to collect a sample from the affected area for testing, although men may only need to provide a urine test. Some clinics offer rapid tests that provide results straight away, while standard lab analysis may take several days.
It is important to complete the treatment and wait until follow-up tests, usually done about 3 weeks later, confirm the infection is cleared before resuming sexual activity. Regular testing for gonorrhoea is recommended, especially if you have a new sexual partner or are sexually active. Some strains of gonorrhoea are becoming resistant to antibiotics, making treatment more difficult. If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to other complications.
We may also offer treatment if complications have occurred.
If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to serious problems, including severe complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and lifelong damage. It’s important to get tested as soon as possible because gonorrhoea can lead to more serious long-term health problems if it’s not treated. In some rare cases, when gonorrhoea has been left untreated, it can spread throughout the entire bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections in various other parts of the body. If gonorrhoea spreads throughout the body, it can cause swollen, painful joints, liver inflammation, and damage to heart valves and the brain. This is also known as sepsis.
If you’re displaying any of the above symptoms or you’ve recently had unprotected sex with an individual, then there could be a chance you’re infected. This is why you should seek immediate diagnosis and treatment at Broadgate GP London. We offer discreet and fully confidential appointments for sexual health checks. Treatment is usually easy through a course of antibiotics. Visit our walk-in service or call us on 020 7638 4330 to arrange an appointment. If you would like to learn more about common sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms, check out our new blog.
For more information, take a look at our blog where we debunk common myths surrounding STIs and testing. If you would like to learn more about STIs and the history behind them, check out this blog.
If untreated, gonorrhoea in men can develop into a painful infection of the testicles and can reduce fertility. It can also affect the prostate and complicate urination. In women, it can spread to reproductive organs, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID in its later stages can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy.
Your symptoms, if you have any, usually start to clear up within a few days of treatment, with full relief of pelvic or testicular pain within two weeks. Any irregularities in your menstrual cycle caused by the infection should clear up by the time of your next period.
You should avoid having sex until you have completed treatment and a follow-up appointment with the doctor has confirmed that you are clear of the infection. This will prevent you from passing it on to anyone else. It is also important that your partner(s) follow the same protocol to avoid reinfection.
If the test shows that you have gonorrhoea, it’s very important that your current sexual partner(s) and any other recent partners are tested and treated. You may be given a contact slip to send or give to your partner(s), or, with your permission, the clinic can do this for you. This is called partner notification. It can sometimes be done by text message. The message or contact slip will say that they might have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection and suggest they go for a check-up. It may or may not identify the infection. It won’t have your name on it, so your confidentiality is protected.
You’re strongly advised to tell your partner(s), but it isn’t compulsory. The staff at the clinic or general practice can discuss with you which of your sexual partners may need to be tested.
Gonorrhoea can be passed to the baby during the birth. This can cause inflammation and discharge in the baby’s eyes (conjunctivitis).
Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. The antibiotics won’t harm the baby, but do tell the doctor or nurse if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. The antibiotics won’t harm the baby, but do tell the doctor or nurse if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Yes, a common symptom of the Gonorrhoea infection is painful bowel movements.
If you're suffering from any type of health problem and you're based in the Central London area, then be sure to book an appointment with a GP.
We are a Private GP, therefore there is a charge for every appointment booked, to be paid on the day. Broadgate GP can only take appointments for patients
AGED 18 AND ABOVE.
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