Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea symptoms in men

• Yellow, white, or green discharge from the penis
• Burning or pain when urinating
• Irritation or redness at the urethral opening
• Testicular pain or swelling
• Rectal discharge, discomfort, bleeding, or pain (if the rectum is infected)

Gonorrhoea symptoms in women

• Increased or unusual vaginal discharge
• Burning or pain when urinating
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
• Pain during sex
• Rectal discharge, discomfort, bleeding, or pain (if the rectum is infected)

Throat infection (pharyngeal gonorrhoea) often causes no symptoms, though some people may experience throat discomfort or soreness.

In rare cases, gonorrhoea can spread through the bloodstream and affect the skin or joints (disseminated gonococcal infection).

Yes. Gonorrhoea frequently causes no symptoms, particularly in women and in throat or rectal infections.

Even without symptoms, the infection can still be passed on to sexual partners and may cause complications if left untreated.

Because symptoms may be mild or absent, testing is often the only reliable way to detect infection.

Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to serious complications.

Possible complications in women include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Reduced fertility or infertility
• Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy

Possible complications in men include:

• Epididymitis
• Testicular pain
• Reduced fertility (less common)

Complications affecting anyone include:

• Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI), affecting the skin or joints
• Increased risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV
• Rarely, sexually acquired reactive arthritis (SARA)

Symptoms of gonorrhoea usually appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure, often within the first week. However, some people may develop symptoms later, while many do not experience any symptoms at all.

Gonorrhoea can be asymptomatic, particularly in women. Because symptoms are not always present, testing is the only reliable way to confirm whether you have the infection.

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is passed through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected partner.

It can also be transmitted through sharing sex toys that have not been cleaned or covered with a fresh condom between users.

Gonorrhoea is not spread through casual contact such as hugging, sharing towels, toilet seats, swimming pools, or cutlery.

Factors that increase the risk of gonorrhoea include:

• Having condomless vaginal, anal, or oral sex
• Having new or multiple sexual partners
• Previous sexually transmitted infections
• Inconsistent condom use
• Sharing sex toys without cleaning or condom use between partners
• Not attending regular sexual health screening
• Having a sexual partner diagnosed with gonorrhoea

The risk of gonorrhoea can be reduced by:

• Using condoms during vaginal, anal, and oral sex
• Cleaning sex toys and covering them with a fresh condom between users
• Avoiding sexual contact until both partners have completed treatment and any advised abstinence period
• Attending regular sexual health screening, particularly with new or multiple partners

Condoms significantly reduce the risk of gonorrhoea when used correctly and consistently, but they do not provide complete protection.

Infection can still occur through contact with infected areas not covered by a condom, particularly during oral sex or close genital contact.

Testing is recommended if you think you may have been exposed to gonorrhoea or another STI.

It is very unlikely to catch gonorrhoea from kissing. Gonorrhoea is mainly passed through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex, or by sharing sex toys that have not been cleaned or covered with a fresh condom.

Although there has been some discussion about deep kissing and throat gonorrhoea, this is not considered a common route of transmission. Most throat infections are linked to oral sex.

No, gonorrhoea is not spread through sharing personal items such as towels, clothing, toilet seats, or swimming pools.

The bacteria that cause gonorrhoea do not survive well outside the body and are mainly transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

An exception is sex toys, which may transmit the infection if shared without being washed or covered with a fresh condom between uses.

No, gonorrhoea is not transmitted through blood transfusions. Gonorrhoea is not a blood-borne infection and does not survive in stored blood.

The infection mainly affects the mucous membranes of the genitals, rectum, and throat and is transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Gonorrhoea is diagnosed using a urine sample or swab, depending on the area being tested. Laboratory testing is then used to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that causes gonorrhoea.

For men, testing commonly involves a urine sample, and avoiding urination for at least two hours beforehand may improve accuracy. For women, a vaginal swab may be clinician-collected or self-taken. Depending on sexual exposure, throat and rectal swabs may also be recommended.

Testing is generally most reliable around two weeks after exposure, although earlier assessment may be advised if symptoms are present.

The most common test for gonorrhoea is a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT or PCR test). This test detects the genetic material of the bacteria and is highly accurate.

Testing may involve:

• A urine sample (commonly used for men)
• A vaginal swab (commonly used for women)
• Throat or rectal swabs, depending on sexual exposure

In some cases, a culture test may also be used, particularly if symptoms are present or antibiotic resistance is suspected. This helps identify which antibiotics are most likely to be effective.

An accurate diagnosis depends on timing, the correct test, and testing the right areas of exposure.

Factors that improve accuracy include:

• Testing at the right time, usually around two weeks after exposure
• Testing all relevant areas, including the genitals, throat, or rectum, depending on sexual contact
• Using a PCR (NAAT) test, which is highly sensitive
• Avoiding urination for at least two hours before a urine test for men

Sharing details about symptoms and possible exposure can also help ensure the right tests are performed.

Yes, several conditions can cause symptoms similar to gonorrhoea, so testing is needed for an accurate diagnosis.

Conditions that may be mistaken for gonorrhoea include:

• Chlamydia
• Thrush or bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) or cystitis
• Non-specific urethritis (NSU) in men
• Trichomoniasis

Because symptoms can overlap, a laboratory test is the only reliable way to confirm the cause.

Gonorrhoea is usually diagnosed using PCR (NAAT) testing on urine samples or swabs. In some situations, additional culture testing may also be recommended.

Culture testing can help assess antibiotic susceptibility, particularly where resistance is suspected or symptoms persist after treatment.

A physical examination may sometimes support assessment, but laboratory testing is still required to confirm the diagnosis.

No, gonorrhoea cannot be diagnosed from a physical examination alone. Symptoms such as discharge or irritation can look similar to other infections, and many people have no symptoms at all.

A diagnosis requires a laboratory test, usually using a urine sample or swab from the affected area, such as the genitals, throat, or rectum.

No, you cannot diagnose gonorrhoea yourself based on symptoms alone. Many people with gonorrhoea have no symptoms, and symptoms can be similar to other conditions.

You can use a home self-sampling kit, which involves collecting a urine sample or swab and sending it to a laboratory for testing. A laboratory result is needed to confirm whether gonorrhoea is present.

Gonorrhoea is usually cured successfully with appropriate antibiotic treatment, particularly when diagnosed early.

Most people recover fully without long-term complications. However, untreated infection can lead to problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), epididymitis, chronic pelvic pain, or reduced fertility.

Because antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea is increasing globally, follow-up testing may sometimes be recommended.

No. Having gonorrhoea once does not provide immunity, and reinfection is possible after future exposure.

To reduce the risk of reinfection, it is important that sexual partners are tested and treated where appropriate, and that any recommended abstinence period after treatment is followed.

Yes. If you have gonorrhoea, avoiding sexual contact until treatment is completed is important to reduce transmission.

To help prevent passing the infection on:

• Complete the full recommended treatment
• Avoid vaginal, anal, and oral sex until you and any partner(s) have completed treatment and any advised abstinence period
• Inform recent sexual partners so they can access testing and treatment
• Use condoms or dental dams consistently in future

People are commonly advised to avoid sex for 7 days after treatment, depending on the treatment used and whether partners have also been treated.

It is strongly recommended to inform your current and recent sexual partners if you have been diagnosed with gonorrhoea. Many people have no symptoms and may not realise they are infected.

Partners should be tested and treated if needed to prevent complications and reduce the risk of reinfection. Recent partners from the last three months are usually advised to be informed.

Yes. If you have gonorrhoea, the most important step is to avoid sexual contact until treatment is complete.

To reduce the risk of passing it on:

• Complete your prescribed treatment
• Avoid vaginal, anal, and oral sex until you and your partner(s) have finished treatment
• Inform recent sexual partners so they can be tested and treated
• Use condoms or dental dams consistently in future

People are often advised to wait at least 7 days after treatment before having sex again, depending on the treatment given.

Yes. Gonorrhoea can be passed to a baby, most commonly during vaginal delivery if the baby is exposed to infected genital secretions during birth.

Untreated gonorrhoea during pregnancy may increase the risk of complications such as premature birth, early rupture of membranes, or infection after delivery.

In newborns, gonorrhoea can cause a serious eye infection (ophthalmia neonatorum) and, more rarely, infection affecting the blood or joints.

Testing and treatment during pregnancy are important and are generally considered safe and effective.

Yes. Untreated gonorrhoea during pregnancy may increase the risk of complications affecting both the pregnant person and the baby.

Possible complications include:

• Premature birth
• Early rupture of membranes
• Infection after delivery
• Rarely, pregnancy loss

For the baby, exposure during birth may cause serious eye infection and, more rarely, infection affecting the blood or joints.

Early diagnosis and treatment help reduce these risks.

Gonorrhoea can occur during pregnancy, although many people have no symptoms and may not realise they are infected.

Testing may be recommended during pregnancy if there are symptoms, a new sexual partner, or concerns about possible exposure. When identified, gonorrhoea can usually be treated safely during pregnancy.

Yes, gonorrhoea can be treated safely during pregnancy, and prompt treatment is important to reduce the risk of complications.

Treatment usually involves antibiotics that are considered safe in pregnancy. In some cases, additional treatment may be needed if another infection, such as chlamydia, is also present.

A test of cure may be recommended after treatment to confirm the infection has cleared, and sexual partners should also be tested and treated to reduce the risk of reinfection.

Yes, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of gonorrhoea during pregnancy.

These include:

• Getting tested if there are symptoms or possible exposure
• Using condoms during vaginal, anal, and oral sex
• Ensuring sexual partners are tested and treated if needed
• Seeking medical advice promptly if symptoms develop

Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risk of complications for both the parent and baby.

Untreated gonorrhoea after delivery may increase the risk of postpartum infection and may affect recovery.

Gonorrhoea is not known to be transmitted through breast milk, and treatment is generally compatible with breastfeeding.

If infection was present during delivery, the baby may require assessment or monitoring for possible infection, particularly if symptoms develop.