5 Important Things You Should Know About Gonorrhea

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¹ (CDC), the year 2022 witnessed a significant number of reported gonorrhea cases in the United States. A staggering total of 648,056 cases of gonorrhea were reported, solidifying its position as the second most common notifiable sexually transmitted infection for that year after chlamydia. This also reflects a substantial increase of 11.1% over the last five years¹.

The escalating number of reported gonorrhea cases in the United States calls for a deeper understanding of this sexually transmitted infection. Let’s explore some gonorrhea facts to get a better understanding of this common STI and shed light on the importance of practicing safe sex and getting tested.

Prevention is better than cure

The second most common STI, gonorrhea can usually be treated with antibiotics². However, effective treatment of this particular STI is complicated because the bacteria that causes the infection – Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or gonococcus – is becoming resistant to some antibiotics.

So, the old saying that ‘prevention is better than cure’ is certainly true for gonorrhea. Over time, the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea has shown a concerning trend of developing resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotic drugs. With antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea³ on the rise, it’s even more important to ensure that infections aren’t passed on.

You can avoid catching the infection by taking precautions during sexual contact. Use male or female condoms every time you have vaginal or oral sex, or male condoms suitable for anal sex. And don’t share sex toys – or at least wash them and cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them. Additionally, you should get yourself tested after every time you have sex with a new partner. No matter what protection you use or what they might tell you otherwise.

Gonorrhoea really can cause blindness

If treated early on, it’s very unlikely that gonorrhea can lead to long-term problems. But without treatment, it can spread to other parts of your body, causing potentially serious problems. The more times you catch gonorrhea, the more likely you are to suffer complications – and issues arising from long-term infection are more difficult to treat.

In women, it can spread to the reproductive organs, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is estimated to occur between 10 to 15% of cases of untreated gonorrhea4. It is important to note that the exact percentage may vary based on various factors, including individual health, immune response, and timely treatment. PID can lead to ongoing pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

During pregnancy, the infection may cause miscarriage, premature labor, or an infant being born with conjunctivitis – and without prompt treatment, there’s a risk of the baby suffering progressive vision damage and even permanent blindness. You can be treated for gonorrhea while pregnant or breastfeeding, as it won’t harm the newborn.

In men, it can cause painful infections in the testicles and prostate gland, which could lead to reduced fertility. Left untreated, gonorrhea can invade the bloodstream and cause septicemia – a life-threatening infection.

You May Not Be Aware That You Have It

Often, symptoms of gonorrhea develop within a few weeks of being infected. But don’t be fooled by a lack of anything obvious – sometimes they don’t appear until many months later.

Actually, a significant amount of people don’t experience any noticeable symptoms at all5. This means the infection can go untreated for quite some time, so it’s vital that if you think there’s a chance you could be at risk, even if you have no obvious symptoms, you get tested. It doesn’t discriminate whether you’re male or female, 18 or 80, have just one sexual partner or many – it doesn’t matter because anyone sexually active can get gonorrhea. If you change sexual partners frequently or don’t use condoms, you could be particularly at risk of being infected.

And the infection doesn’t limit itself to one particular part of the body, either. As well as infections of the genitals, both men and women can develop infections in the rectum, eyes, or throat by having unprotected anal or oral sex. Infection in the rectum can cause pain or discharge, and if you get infected semen or vaginal fluid in your eyes, you can develop conjunctivitis. Usually, there are no symptoms if the throat is infected.

The usual symptoms in men are a discharge from the penis and pain or a burning sensation when urinating. Women may notice a discharge from the vagina and pain or burning when passing urine.

Getting Tested is Painless

Are you wondering how to test for gonorrhea? You really shouldn’t be worried about getting tested – it can easily be done with a urine sample. It can sometimes involve a visual examination to look for signs of infection, giving a blood sample, or a swab of the genital area. Remember, getting tested is a sensible health decision, and you shouldn’t be embarrassed to seek help.

Now that you have gained insights into important facts about gonorrhea, let's address some commonly asked questions to learn even more.

Gonorrhea FAQs

What are the common symptoms of gonorrhea?

Common symptoms of gonorrhea in men include discharge from the penis and pain or a burning sensation during urination. Women may experience vaginal discharge and pain or burning while urinating. However, it's important to note that some infected individuals may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms.

How can I prevent gonorrhea?

To prevent gonorrhea, it's essential to practice safe sex. This includes consistently using male or female condoms during vaginal or oral sex, and using male condoms approved by the FDA for anal sex. It is also advisable to avoid sharing sex toys, but if necessary, ensure they are thoroughly washed and covered with a new condom before anyone else uses them.

Can gonorrhea lead to serious health complications?

Yes, untreated gonorrhea can lead to severe health complications. In women, it can spread to the reproductive organs, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. In men, it can cause painful infections in the testicles and prostate gland, potentially leading to reduced fertility. Gonorrhea can also spread to other parts of the body, causing complications such as septicemia, a life-threatening infection.

How is gonorrhea diagnosed?

Gonorrhea can be diagnosed through various methods. It can involve a urine sample, a visual examination to identify signs of infection, a blood sample, or a swab of the genital area. Getting tested for gonorrhea is a painless and important health decision.