Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmissible infection or STI that is passed between partners during unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can infect the cervix, rectum, throat, and even the eyes. It can also infect the urethra, the thin tube connected to the bladder through which urine passes. Without treatment, gonorrhea can spread into the uterus and the fallopian tubes, which are the tubes connecting the uterus to the ovaries.

When the body detects an STI, the immune system tries to destroy the infection. There are often no symptoms during this immune response, but sometimes the area can become inflamed and sore as the STI is killed and immune system cells die off. They sometimes form a discharge at the opening of the vagina. The inflammation that occurs in the cervix, uterus, or fallopian tubes is called pelvic inflammatory disease or PID. PID can present as mild abdominal pain, which can be missed if women mistake it for period pain. It can also cause pain or bleeding during or after sex.

PID can also cause scarring, which can block the fallopian tubes and may result in infertility as sperm released during ejaculation cannot travel through the tubes to fertilize the egg. Damaged or scarred fallopian tubes can also impact on the process of moving a fertilized egg through the tube towards the uterus. At the start of pregnancy, the egg may then attach itself to the fallopian tube, where it begins to grow. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and can be very dangerous.

Gonorrhea can also be passed from mother to baby during delivery, causing an infection in the newborn's eyes. Some types of gonorrhea are resistant to antibiotics and can therefore be difficult to treat. If diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea, it is important to have a follow-up visit with a health provider to check that the gonorrhea has been cleared. Gonorrhea and other STIs can be prevented by using condoms and water-based lubricant during sex, having regular sexual health checkups, and ensuring you or your health provider notify sexual partners if you are diagnosed with an STI.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmissible infection or STI that is passed between partners during unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can infect the urethra, anus, throat, and even the eyes. Gonorrhea travels up the urethra where it can cause pain or a burning sensation while urinating. Although some people will have no symptoms as the body's immune system fights the STI, dead cells from the immune system and cells that die as a result of the infection are sometimes passed out as a discharge or pus. If left untreated, gonorrhea can also continue further into the reproductive system, affecting the seminal vesicles, vas deferens, epididymis, and the testicles.

Because the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles are so small, any scarring as a result of infection can contribute to reduced sperm count and infertility. If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause chronic epididymitis and prostatitis, which is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Some types of gonorrhea are resistant to antibiotics and can therefore be difficult to treat. If diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea, it is important to have a follow-up visit with a health provider to check that the gonorrhea has been cleared.

Gonorrhea and other STIs can be prevented by using condoms and water-based lubricant during sex, having regular sexual health check-ups, and ensuring you or your health provider notify sexual partners if you are diagnosed with an STI.