Gonorrhea
Worried you may have an STD? 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, also known as the clap, is spread through oral sex, vaginal sex and anal sex. Gonorrhea is spread “fluid to fluid” meaning an infected person’s secretions need to come in contact with the mucous membranes or blood stream of another. This means that it is possible to contract Gonorrhea without penetration. Gonorrhea can even be passed from pregnant mothers to their baby.
The bacterium that causes Gonorrhea grows in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (the opening to the womb), uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes in women, as well as within the urethra (urine canal) in both women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
How do I know if I have Gonorrhea?
Even if you 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 of Gonorrhea, some individuals experience the following:
Symptoms of Gonorrhea 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 of Gonorrhea in Women
- 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 Gonorrhea?
Testing for Gonorrhea 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 Gonorrhea treatable?
Yes, treatment for Gonorrhea is done with an injection of prescription antibiotics and Obria can refer you to a low-cost clinic for treatment if needed.
What happens if Gonorrhea is 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 Gonorrhea is left untreated, the disease can spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause damage to a woman’s sexual health by causing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and chronic pelvic pain. PID can damage the fallopian tubes enough to cause infertility in women. It also can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies—a life-threatening condition where a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.
In pregnant women, untreated Gonorrhea can be passed from mother to infant during childbirth.
Pregnant women with Gonorrhea 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 for Gonorrhea as soon as it is detected in pregnant women will reduce the risk of these complications.
In men, untreated Gonorrhea 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.
How can I avoid contracting Gonorrhea?
An effective means to avoid contracting Gonorrhea is to exercise abstinence or to engage in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner with protection that has tested negative for STDs. Transmission of Gonorrhea cannot be prevented by washing the skin of the genitals, urinating, and/or douching after sex.
Worried you may have Gonorrhea? 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 like Gonorrhea, as well as low-cost STD Testing and treatment. If you believe you may have Gonorrhea or any other STDs, 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