Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It affects both men and women and is transmitted primarily in sexual fluids. Gonorrhea symptoms can vary between cases and can often have no symptoms at all.
This seems typical of STIs, the symptoms are similar in nature and it’s all too easy to have the infections and not know it. This is one of the many reasons why STIs are so common in our society. The lack of gonorrhea symptoms makes it a very slippery customer to treat.
The World Health Organization estimates over 60 million cases of gonorrhea occur each year around the world. The US estimates domestic infection rates to be around 300,000 per annum. With many more cases going undiagnosed.
Gonorrhea Symptoms
The main gonorrhea symptoms are similar for both men and women. Although, in around 20 percent of cases there will be no symptoms at all.
In men the main gonorrhea symptoms are:
- A white or yellowish discharge from the penis
- A burning sensation while passing urine
- Irritation or discharge from the anus
The main gonorrhea symptoms in women include:
- Smelly vaginal discharge
- A burning sensation while passing urine
- Irritation or discharge from the anus
Transmission
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a sexually transmitted bacteria. The bacteria is found predominantly in semen and vaginal fluids. That means the infection is usually passed on during vaginal, oral or anal sex, or by sharing sex toys.
The Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria can live inside the cells of the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat and eyes, so any contact with these places can transmit the infection.
Testing
Anyone experiencing any of the gonorrhea symptoms should seek a test right away. This is to ensure the infection isn’t transmitted to others while it is being carried.
The test is painless and will involve either a urine sample or swab being taken and analyzed. Anyone who has had anal sex recently may also have a swab taken from the anus too.
Treatment
Treating gonorrhea symptoms is very straightforward and will involve an antibiotic being ingested or injected. If the person is allergic to antibiotics there are other treatment options, which would be discussed by a medical practitioner.
Bear in mind that this treatment will interfere with contraceptives, so anyone being treated for gonorrhea symptoms will have to refrain from sex or take extra precautions. To avoid reinfection, any partners should also seek diagnosis and treatment.
Without treatment, gonorrhea symptoms can spread to other parts of the body and can cause infertility. In women, the bacteria can spread to the reproductive system cause pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancies, and block the fallopian tubes. In men, if gonorrhea symptoms are left untreated it can result in testicular infections and problems with the prostate.
Rarely, gonorrhea symptoms can cause inflammation of the joints and tendons and has been linked to problems with the brain, heart and spinal cord. That makes it essential to have the proper checks, diagnosis and treatment for gonorrhea and any sexually transmitted infection.