What Is Gonorrhea And Why It’s Crucial To Treat It Early

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can affect both men and women. Without prompt treatment, symptoms can worsen and lead to more severe health issues. Recognizing the symptoms and taking the right measures is key to preventing gonorrhea from spreading, and ensuring effective treatment.

Gonorrhea Symptoms

Gonorrhea symptoms can differ between men and women, and sometimes they can be mild or even go unnoticed, which can lead to undiagnosed cases. This makes it easier for the infection to spread, especially during unprotected sex.

Female Gonorrhea Symptoms

Gonorrhea discharge, often yellow or green, with a foul odor.
Vaginal bleeding outside of periods
Burning or itching in the genital area
Pelvic or lower back pain
Painful urination
If anal sex occurs, there may be rectal discharge

Male Gonorrhea Symptoms

Pus or fluid discharge from the penis
Painful or frequent urination
Swollen or painful testicles
For men who have sex with men, rectal discharge is also possible

What Causes Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is primarily transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

While sexual contact is the main way the infection spreads, it can also be passed from mother to child during natural childbirth. However, gonorrhea is not transmitted through shared towels, toilets, or swimming pools.

Risk Factors

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and there is no evidence that it can spread through sharing items. Key risk factors include:

Having unprotected sex—whether vaginal, anal, or oral—significantly increases the likelihood of contracting gonorrhea due to contact with infected bodily fluids.
Having multiple sexual partners or frequently changing partners increases the risk of exposure to the infection, even with condom use, as condoms do not cover all areas. Gonorrhea can also be transmitted through oral sex or contact with the eyes if fluids are involved.
A history of STIs raises the risk of contracting gonorrhea again.
HIV-positive individuals with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to gonorrhea infection.
Failing to get regular sexual health screenings can result in missed early-stage infections.

Gonorrhea Complications

If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to severe complications for both men and women, including:

Abscesses in the genital area and inflammation of the testicles, cervix, or urethra.
Pregnancy complications, such as a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, can lead to infertility.
Infections that spread to other parts of the body, including joint infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves), or meningitis.
Infertility in both men and women.
Untreated eye infections, like gonorrhea, can cause blindness, especially in newborns. It spreads through contact with infected fluids during childbirth or sexual activity. Prompt antibiotic treatment is essential to prevent severe eye damage or vision loss.
Increased risk of contracting HIV.

However, gonorrhea is curable with proper medical treatment if addressed before it becomes chronic or leads to complications. If you suspect you have symptoms of gonorrhea, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider and seek treatment right away.

Diagnosis of Gonorrhea

Diagnosis typically involves reviewing your medical history and a physical examination. Women may undergo a pelvic exam, during which a sample of fluid is taken from the cervix or vagina. For men, samples of discharge or urine are collected from the penis. If oral or anal sex has occurred, the doctor may also take samples from those areas for lab testing.

Microscopy: The discharge from the infected area is examined under a microscope after being stained. Results are typically available within a day.
Culture Test: This method involves growing the bacteria in a lab, which can take more than a week, but provides highly accurate results.
PCR Test (Polymerase Chain Reaction): This test detects bacterial DNA, offering fast and accurate results. It is available at ReadyCheckGo.

If you are diagnosed with gonorrhea, your doctor may recommend testing for other sexually transmitted infections to prevent further complications and ensure early treatment. If your initial test result is negative but you’ve had recent unprotected sex, it’s advisable to retest after some time.

Treatment for Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is primarily treated with antibiotics. The treatment plan generally includes:

Administering a combination of antibiotic injections and oral medication for maximum effectiveness.
Testing and treating sexual partners to prevent reinfection and further transmission. Refraining from sexual activity during treatment or for at least seven days after being diagnosed with gonorrhea.

Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure the treatment is working and yielding positive results.

Many people wonder, “Is gonorrhea curable?” and “Can I treat it on my own?” The answer is that gonorrhea requires professional medical treatment. Self-treatment is not recommended, as the infection can spread without proper care and lead to serious complications, including bloodstream infections.

Prevention

You can protect yourself from gonorrhea and help prevent its spread by following these guidelines:

Use condoms: Always use a condom during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. While condoms are highly effective in preventing gonorrhea and other STIs, they do not provide 100% protection, as infections can occur in areas not covered by the condom.
Limit sexual partners: Reducing the number of sexual partners lowers your risk of exposure to gonorrhea and other undiagnosed STIs.
Get regular STI screenings: Even if you think you’re not at risk, regular screenings can help detect and treat infections early.

STI Testing at ReadyCheckGo

If you’ve had unprotected sex or suspect you may have gonorrhea symptoms, don’t wait for complications to occur. Schedule gonorrhea treatment and other STI screenings at ReadyCheckGo. Our clinics in Silom, Thonglor, and Samui offer private and convenient testing services. We can also arrange for a doctor to visit your home (available in Bangkok and nearby provinces). Anonymous STI testing options are available as well.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing complications and long-term health problems. Book an appointment today.

References:

2019 Gonorrhea Treatment Guidelines. Accessed September 20, 2024, from https://ddc.moph.go.th/uploads/ckeditor2/files/แนวทางการดูแลรักษาโรคหนองใน พ.ศ.2562_paper.pdf

Sexual Health Knowledge: Gonorrhea. Accessed September 20, 2024, from https://www.si.mahidol.ac.th/th/healthdetail.asp?aid=895

Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection). Accessed September 20, 2024, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/gonorrhoea-(neisseria-gonorrhoeae-infection)

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