Gonorrhea is a common bacterial infection that affects both men and women. As a sexually transmitted infection, it is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex, or through sharing sex toys that have not been properly cleaned. Gonorrhea cannot be spread through kissing, hugging, or sharing bathroom surfaces.
Gonorrhea is most common among people who have multiple sexual partners and young adults. Nearly half of all gonorrhea diagnoses occur in people between the age of 15 and 24.
In many cases, you may not even notice the symptoms of gonorrhea, or they may be very mild.
Common symptoms of gonorrhea in men include:
- Pain during urination
- Off-color discharge from the penis
- Testicular pain
Common symptoms in women include:
- Pain during urination
- Bleeding between menstrual periods or after sexual intercourse
- Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis
- White or yellowish vaginal discharge
In addition to infecting the genitals, gonorrhea can infect the rectum, the eyes, and the throat. The most common symptoms of these infections include pain and discharge from the affected area. Pregnant women can pass a gonorrhea infection to their babies during childbirth. This can lead to serious medical conditions such as blindness and sores on the body.
While early symptoms of gonorrhea are generally mild - sometimes even unnoticeable - if the infection is left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.
Complications from gonorrhea infections include:
- Infertility
- Increased risk of HIV/ AIDS
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Heart and brain damage
- Joint infection
Having multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex are the greatest risk factors for gonorrhea infections. You can prevent gonorrhea by limiting your sexual partners and practicing safe sex with a latex condom. Additionally, regular STI screenings can help you stay informed about your sexual health and whether or not you are carrying an STI. It is recommended that you receive a gonorrhea screening annually, although you may want to increase this frequency if you usually have multiple sexual partners.
Gonorrhea can recur. Even if you have had antibiotic treatment for the infection before, you can still contract gonorrhea. Because of this, safe sex and prevention methods are your best way of avoiding further infection.