What You Should Know About Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects both men and women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, throat and you can contact it by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who is infected. A pregnant woman with gonorrhea can also infect her baby during childbirth.

Symptoms:
Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, men who do have symptoms, may have burning sensation when urinating, white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis, painful or swollen testicles (although this is less common).

Most women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, even if they don’t have any symptoms.
Some symptoms in women can include painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, and vaginal bleeding between periods.

You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD, as this can help diagnose early.

READ ALSO: 7 Most Common Sex Myths

How will my doctor know if I have gonorrhea?

Most of the time, urine can be used to test for gonorrhea. However, if you have had oral and/or anal sex, swabs may be used to collect samples from your throat and/or rectum. In some cases, a swab may be used to collect a sample from a man’s urethra (urine canal) or a woman’s cervix (opening to the womb).

Can Gonorrhea be cured?

Yes, it can be cured with the right treatment. It is important that you take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to cure your infection. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not undo any permanent damage caused by the disease. In women, untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

For more advice and help, feel free to consult a doctor online via The Reliance App.