Gonorrhoea
What is Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae, also known as gonococcus. It passes from person to person through sexual activity, including intercourse, oral sex, anal sex and other intimate physical contact.
Gonorrhoea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK, and the number of cases continues to rise every year. Young men aged 20 to 24 and women aged 16 to 19 are most commonly affected.
The bacteria usually live inside the cells of the cervix, the entrance to the womb, though gonorrhoea can affect both men and women and may involve the vagina, penis, anus, rectum, throat and eyes. It can also pass from mother to baby during birth.
Anyone sexually active can contract gonorrhoea, particularly those who change partners frequently or do not use a barrier method of contraception such as a condom. Gonorrhoea cannot be transmitted through casual contact such as kissing, hugging, sharing baths or towels, swimming pools, toilet seats, or sharing cups, plates or cutlery.
If a woman with gonorrhoea passes the infection to her baby during birth, this can cause an eye infection that may lead to lasting complications if it is left untreated.
Symptoms of Gonorrhoea
Female
Up to half of all women who contract gonorrhoea have no symptoms. Those who do may notice an unusual vaginal discharge, thin or watery, or yellow or green, along with lower abdominal pain, pain when passing urine, or irritation and discharge from the anus.
Male
Around 90% of men who contract gonorrhoea experience gonorrhoea symptoms such as a white, yellow or green coloured discharge from the tip of the penis, pain or tenderness from inflammation of the testicles or prostate gland, a burning sensation when peeing, or irritation and discharge from the anus.
Symptoms usually appear between one and fourteen days after infection, though gonorrhoea can also affect the throat or rectum without causing any noticeable symptoms.
Causes of Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is passed on through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, or through close genital contact with an infected partner. The infection cannot survive for long outside the human body, so it is not spread through casual, non sexual contact.
The more sexual partners a person has, and the less consistently barrier methods such as condoms are used, the higher the risk of contracting gonorrhoea. Anyone who is sexually active, of any age or background, can be affected.
Testing for Gonorrhoea
The doctor will take a swab to collect a sample of cells. A swab looks like a cotton bud, but smaller, soft and rounded. It is wiped over the parts of the body that could be infected and picks up samples of discharge and cells within seconds. It is not usually painful, though it may be uncomfortable for a moment. Swabs may be taken from the cervix during an internal examination in women, the urethra, the rectum, and the throat. Samples are sent to the laboratory, and rapid diagnostic tests may also be carried out, with results available in minutes.
Gonococcal microscopy results are usually available during consultation, while culture results take two to three days. Results are available by telephone or email.
For a private appointment, Sunshine Clinic’s gonorrhoea treatment service offers confidential same-visit testing across the West Midlands.
Test results
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Gonococcal Microscopy results: During consultation
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Gonococcal Cultures result: 2-3 days
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Test results are available by telephone or email.
Treatment of Gonorrhoea
Early treatment of gonorrhoea is straightforward and usually involves a single dose of antibiotics, sometimes given by injection. Several different antibiotics can be used, and if complications have occurred, further treatment may also be needed. If there is a high chance of infection, treatment may be given before your results are available.
It is important to receive treatment for gonorrhoea as quickly as possible, as the condition can cause complications and serious health problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), if it is left untreated. All current and recent sexual partners should also be tested and treated for the disease where necessary.
Some strains of gonorrhoea have become resistant to certain antibiotics, so if an infection does not clear up after the treatment prescribed, your doctor may prescribe a stronger alternative. You should avoid sexual intercourse and intimate contact with other partners until you have completed the antibiotics.
Prevention of Gonorrhoea
The most effective way to reduce the risk of infection is to use a condom, male or female. Used correctly, condoms are over 99% effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For oral sex, use a condom or a latex square, known as a dental dam, to cover the female genitals. These measures also help protect against other STIs, including HIV and chlamydia.
Complications of Gonorrhoea
Around 50% of women and 10% of men who contract gonorrhoea do not experience any symptoms, which means the infection can often go untreated for some time. Left untreated, this can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in later life, which can cause abdominal pain, tenderness and fever. Untreated gonorrhoea may also lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy in women, and inflamed testicles, an inflamed prostate gland, or infertility in men.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get rid of gonorrhoea?
Yes. Gonorrhoea is treatable with the correct antibiotics, and most people make a full recovery once treated. It is important to complete the full course prescribed and to be assessed properly, as treatment should be based on current clinical guidance and the site of infection.
How can you catch gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is passed on through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex, or close genital contact with an infected partner. It cannot be caught through casual contact such as kissing, hugging or sharing towels.
Why is gonorrhoea called the clap?
Gonorrhoea has long been known informally as “the clap”, a nickname with roots in historical slang for sexually transmitted infections. The medical name comes from the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes the infection.
What is the incubation period for gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea symptoms, where they occur, usually appear between one and fourteen days after infection. Because many people have no symptoms at all, testing is the only reliable way to know whether you have been infected.
Can gonorrhoea affect the throat or rectum?
Yes. Gonorrhoea can affect the throat or rectum as well as the genital area, often without causing any symptoms. This is why the type of sexual contact involved matters when your doctor decides which swabs to take.
Do men and women get the same gonorrhoea symptoms?
Not always. Around 90% of men develop noticeable gonorrhoea symptoms, such as discharge or pain when passing urine, while up to half of women have no symptoms at all. Because symptoms differ and can be absent altogether, testing remains the most reliable way to check for infection.
Can gonorrhoea cause complications if it is left untreated?
Yes. Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility or ectopic pregnancy in women, and inflamed testicles, an inflamed prostate gland or infertility in men. Prompt testing and treatment reduce this risk significantly.
Is gonorrhoea treatment available on the NHS?
Yes, gonorrhoea testing and treatment are available free of charge through NHS sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries. Sunshine Clinic offers a private alternative for patients who want a prompt, discreet appointment without an NHS waiting list.
I May Have Gonorrhoea
If you have any concerns relating to this condition, or any conditions described on this website, please contact the Sunshine Clinic by telephone to arrange an appointment with Dr Sood, on 0330 097 5362