Gonorrhea Symptoms In Men and Women, Treatment and Cure

Gonorrhea symptoms in men and women are caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae which is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It affects the genitals of women and men causing abnormal discharge in women and burning sensation in men.

Gonorrhea can affect other parts of the body. It affects the rectum during anal sex. It can also affect the mouth during oral sex. Eyes of children can be affected by childbirth. Many women and some men do not show symptoms of the disease.

Also, gonorrhea is still common in countries where unsafe sex is high.

Gonorrhea can easily be prevented in both men and women. Abstinence is the best way to prevent infection, though, use of condoms reduces risk. However, people with gonorrhea can be treated and cured.

It is recommended that sexually active women younger than 25 years, and older women with risk factors, are regularly tested. This is because many women with gonorrhea will not show symptoms.

What causes gonorrhea infection in women and men?

The organism Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea. It is transmitted to men, women, and children.

The commonest mode of transmission is by sexual contact. However, other route of transmission is possible. Women during childbirth can transmit the disease to their children. This affects the eyes of babies causing ophthalmia neonatorum. Also, men who have sex with men and people with multiple partners have an increased risk of contracting the disease.

Many women will not show any sign or symptoms of gonorrhea. Contacting the disease from these women during unsafe sex is possible.

Also, it is not usually spread by sharing baths and towels, toilet seats, or casual contact. However, the most common route for transmission in all age groups and sex is by sexual contact.

What are the symptoms and signs of Gonorrhea in men and women?

Gonorrhea can affect men and women. However, many people will have the disease without any symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that gonorrhea can cause serious complications, even without symptoms.

In addition, there is no immunity to the infection if you were treated in the past. You can get gonorrhea again after treatment if you are exposed.

Gonorrhea symptoms in men

• No symptoms of gonorrhea in some men
• Burning pain during urination (dysuria) due to inflammation of the urethra ( the part of the penis where urine flows through).
• Discharge of pus from the penis. Some men will experience discharge of pus with burning sensation while urinating
• A sore throat which is due to infection of the mouth during oral sex. However, throat infections often have no symptoms.
• Rectal bleeding, pain and rectal discharge
• Pain in the abdomen
• Pain in the joints
• Swollen painful testes

Gonorrhea symptoms in women

• No symptoms in many women
• White vaginal discharge or yellow-green vaginal discharge
• Low abdomen pain due to ascending infection (PID)
• Burning sensation while passing urine
• Discharge of pus
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding between periods
• Joint pain
• Skin rash with fever

It is important to see your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms. This is especially when you practice unsafe sex. Other sexually transmitted diseases can mimic some of these symptom. Get tested by visiting your doctor.

How is gonorrhea tested and diagnosed?

During your clinic visit, specimen is collected for analysis. In men sample is collected from the urethra while in women samples are collected from the cervix. Sample collected is usually tested with Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) (urine or swabs), and sometimes cultured to confirm the organism and guide treatment (especially if antibiotic resistance or treatment failure is suspected). Some of the gonorrhea tests done include

Gram stain. This will show gram negative diplococci (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
Culture. this is important to detect the organism and the best drug for treatment.
Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT)

What is the Gonorrhea treatment in men and women?

Once a diagnosis of gonorrhea infection has been made by your doctor, treatment will follow. The drug of choice used is ceftriaxone (usually as an injection). Because gonorrhea has become resistant to many older antibiotics, do not self-treat. Your doctor may also treat for chlamydia if it has not been ruled out.

Pregnant women are also treated with ceftriaxone; your clinician will choose pregnancy-safe options for any co-infection.

However, during culture and sensitivity your doctor will use the most effective drug for your treatment.

In addition, women and men are advised to avoid sex for at least 7 days after treatment and until all partners have been tested and treated (and any follow-up test is clear, if your clinic advises one). Also, you should inform people you had sex with to get tested and treated. This will prevent further spread of gonorrhea infection.

Healthy lifestyle and safe sex is always advised. However, men and women can get reinfected if they do not use condoms or abstain from sex.

People with gonorrhea infection can also have coexisting infection with other sexually transmitted infection. During your testing, your doctor will check for chlamydia, HIV, Syphilis too.

How is gonorrhea prevented?

• Abstinence. This is the best way to prevent any STDs. If you can abstain then u will prevent gonorrhea infection.
• Use condom. This is important because it reduces the transmission of gonorrhea and other STDs.
• Inform your doctor or visit a sexual health clinic if you have any gonorrhea symptoms for tests and treatments
• Reduce your sex partners or encourage your partner to get tested if you wish to continue with unsafe sex ( though not a good idea)
• If you notice any symptoms, do not have sex with anyone. This will prevent further spread of infection

What is the complication of gonorrhea in men and women?

If no gonorrhea test is done in early disease, it can have long term effects. In pregnancy, it can increase risk of premature birth and other pregnancy complications, and can also infect a baby’s eyes at birth. Some other complications are

Disseminated infection (spread to the blood) which can cause joint pain and skin rash with fever
Bartholin abscess
It can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women which can result to ectopic pregnancy.
Untreated or poorly treated infection can damage the fallopian tubes with infertility.
People with gonorrhea infection has an increased chance to contract other STDs like HIV and chlamydia.
In men, gonorrhea can cause urethral stricture or tightening of the urethra with subsequent difficulty in voiding.

Frequently asked questions

You asked and we answered? here are some frequently asked gonorrhea questions.

Can gonorrhea be cured?

Yes. With the right antibiotics, gonorrhea can be treated and cured. You may be asked to return for a repeat test, especially if the infection was in the throat or if symptoms persist.

What is the incubation period of gonorrhea?

What is incubation period?. This is the time taken from exposure during sexual contact and when you show the symptoms of the infection. The incubation period of gonorrhea is between 2 to 14 days. However most people will show symptoms between 2 to 5 days of exposure.

Is it possible for gonorrhea and chlamydia infection to occur together?

Yes. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are both sexually transmitted diseases and can occur together. The chances of contracting HIV, trichomoniasis and syphilis increases if you have the infection.

How easy is it to get rid of gonorrhea?

Treatment and cure of gonorrhea is possible. However, people with complicated infection will require longer treatment.

Now its your turn. Do you experience burning sensation after unprotected sex?. Share your experiences, suggestions and questions.