Gonorrhea
Worried You May Have Gonorrhea? Book an Appointment for Low-Cost STD Testing at an Obria Medical Clinic Near You.
It’s important to look out for your own well-being, and that includes getting tested for STDs. It’s better to know for sure so you can take care of yourself and your partner(s), and most STDs are treatable. It’s the responsible and caring thing to do. So, take control of your health and schedule that test – it’s a simple step towards a healthier you and safer relationship.
What is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is an STD spread through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. It is transmitted “fluid to fluid,” meaning an infected person’s secretions must contact the mucous membranes or bloodstream of another person. As a result, you can contract gonorrhea without penetration. Additionally, pregnant women can pass gonorrhea to their babies.
The bacterium causing gonorrhea thrives in warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, as well as the urethra in both men and women. It can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
How Do I Know if I Have Gonorrhea?
You may not show any symptoms.
Individuals with Gonorrhea often experience no symptoms, which makes it important to be tested for STDs if you are sexually active. Though many women do not exhibit any symptoms, some individuals experience the following:
Symptoms in Women
- Yellowish or yellow-green vaginal discharge
- Bleeding between menstrual cycles
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Painful intercourse
- Painful urination
- The urge to urinate more than usual
- Vomiting
Symptoms in Men
- Burning when urinating
- Discharge from the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles
Any unusual discharge, burning during urination or pain, particularly in the groin area, should be a signal to stop all sexual activity and visit a doctor immediately.
How Do You Test for It?
Testing at Obria is carried out via a urine test. If you suspect you have an infection of the mouth, throat, or anus, we can refer you to a low-cost cost clinic for additional testing.
Is It Treatable?
Yes, treatment involves an injection of prescription antibiotics. If needed, Obria can provide treatment or refer you to a low-cost clinic for treatment.
What Happens if Left Untreated?
If you have Gonorrhea it is important that you seek treatment before it results in permanent damage to your health.
Left Untreated, Gonorrhea Can Damage Female Reproductive Organs, Lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and In Some Cases Cause Infertility.
If left untreated, the disease can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, damaging a woman’s sexual health by causing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and chronic pelvic pain. PID can severely damage the fallopian tubes, leading to infertility. Additionally, it increases the risk of ectopic pregnancies, a life-threatening condition where a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.
Left Untreated In Pregnant Women, It Can Be Passed from Mother to Infant During Childbirth.
Pregnant women can pass the infection to their children during childbirth. This can cause blindness, joint infection or a life-threatening blood infection in the baby. Treatment as soon as it is detected in pregnant women will reduce the risk of these complications.
If Left Untreated In Men, It Can Cause Epididymitis, Which Can Lead to Sterility.
In men, Gonorrhea can cause a painful condition called Epididymitis and, in severe cases, can so negatively impact a man’s sexual health that it renders him sterile, thus preventing him from ever being able to father children.
Book an STD Testing Appointment Today.
It is important to take control of your health and prevent the spread of diseases. Obria offers education on STDs as well as low-cost STD Testing and treatment. If you believe you may have an STD, please schedule an appointment at an Obria Medical Clinic near you for a low-cost STD test.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022b, August 22). Gonorrhea – CDC Basic Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm