Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection which can infect the urethra (the tube which you use to pass urine/wee), the womb, the rectum and can be passed to the throat or eyes.

It’s passed on through unprotected sex (without a condom).

Here we will discuss the signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea, as well as, how to get tested and treated.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection which can infect the urethra (the tube which you use to pass urine/wee), the womb, the rectum and can be passed to the throat or eyes.

It’s passed on through unprotected sex (without a condom).

Here we will discuss the signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea, as well as, how to get tested and treated.

Signs and Symptoms

Some people may not show any signs of infection, with 10% of born male and 50% of born females showing no symptoms.

If you do show symptoms, they may include:

A thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis
Pain when peeing
In women, bleeding between periods

How is it Transmitted?

Gonorrhoea can easily be spread through unprotected sex or just by being in contact with infected genital fluids (semen or vaginal fluid).

Here are some of the ways you can get it:

Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
Sharing unwashed sex toys

The bacteria can sometimes infect the entrance to the womb, the urethra (the tube you use to pee), the rectum, the throat and the eyes.

How to Get Tested

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Speak to a friendly advisor and get the advice and support you need.

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Prevention

You can prevent the spread of and yourself contracting gonorrhoea by:

Using a condom every time you have vaginal or anal sex
Using a condom to cover the penis during oral sex
Using a dam (a piece of thin, soft plastic or latex) to cover the female genitals during oral sex or when rubbing female genitals together
Avoid sharing sex toys without washing in-between uses

Treatment

Don’t worry, you can get gonorrhoea treated through an antibiotic injection into the thigh or bum – with most symptoms improving after just a few days.

It’s usually recommended that you have a follow-up appointment a week after your treatment.

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FAQs

Gonorrhoea

Clear answers to common questions

Contacting a sexual health service for the first time may be a little daunting, especially if you’re not keen on talking to someone. So, here are answers to some of the questions we get asked a lot.