Gonorrhea

What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is is an infection caused by a certain kind of bacteria. Gonorrhea is a very common and curable STD. It’s passed on by having vaginal, oral or anal sex. Gonorrhea is also known by “the clap” or the “drip”. Gonorrhea is a common and curable STD and according to the CDC it infects about 700.000 men and women in the United States every year. If gonorrhea is left untreated it can cause serious health risks.

What are the signs or symptoms of Gonorrhea?

The symptoms of gonorrhea as well as in men as in women are often mild or not detectable at all. That is why it is very well possible that you or partner are not aware that you have gonorrhea.

Symptoms that women can have are: • Belly pain • bleeding between menstrual periods • fever • irregular menstruations • painful intercourse • painful urination • swelling or tenderness of the vulva • the urge to urinate more than usual • throwing up • unusual vaginal discharge

Symptoms that men can have are: • discharge from the penis • pain urinating • more frequent urination than usual

How is gonorrhea passed on?

Gonorrhea is passed on by vaginal, oral or anal sex. Gonorrhea can also be passed on from mother to baby during birth.

The best way to protect yourself from gonorrhea or any other STD is using a condom every time have anal, oral or vaginal sex.

How do I get tested for it?

The Gonorrhea Nucleic Acid Amplification (NAA) Test is performed on a urine sample and is offered in our comprehensive STD Panel and Chlamydia + Gonorrhea Panel or as an individual test.. This test is highly recommended by the CDC for its accuracy.
In order to get the most accurate test results it is best not to urinate 1 hr before coming to our facility.

Can gonorrhea be cured?

Yes. There is an easy treatment for it. Gonorrhea can be cured by an antibiotic treatment which will kill the bacteria. Go to your health care provider and he can give you a prescription.
Both you and your partner must be treated for gonorrhea before you have sex again. That way you can avoid becoming infected again. Some health care providers will give you medicine to take home for your partner(s).
It is important to always follow the instruction of your healthcare provider.
It is very common for people who have been diagnosed with gonorrhea to be infected with Chlamydia as well. Therefore we recommend you to take the Chlamydia+Gonorrhea Panel. This way your healthcare provider can treat you for both STD’s at the same time.

What can happen if I don’t get it treated?

For men, untreated gonorrhea may lead to a painful infection of the testicles. One out of five men with untreated gonerrhea will this infection which can lead to infertility. Other effects of gonorrhea in men can be , inflammation of the prostate and urethral scarring.
In women, if not treated, gonorrhea can cause Pelvis inflammatory disease (PID). One out of five women with untreated gonorrhea will develop PID. This can lead to potentially dangerous tubal pregnancy or affect the ability of the women to get pregnant.