STI - Sexually Transmitted Infections (pamphlet)

Gonorrhea

What is it?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by bacteria. Gonorrhea can cause serious health problems. It has to be treated. Gonorrhea can infect the penis, rectum, throat, eyes or cervix. The cervix is the opening to the uterus. The rectum is the lower part of your intestines.

How do you get it? 

You can get gonorrhea if you have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with a person who already has the infection. If you are pregnant you can pass it on to your baby when you are giving birth.

How can you tell if you have it?

You may have gonorrhea and not have any signs or symptoms.  You can pass it on without even knowing that you have it.

If you have gonorrhea and you do have symptoms, you might notice:

Female

• a change or an increase in discharge from your vagina
• a little bit of bleeding even when it is not time for you period
• bleeding during or after you have vaginal sex
• pain in you lower abdomen
• pain when you urinate

Male

• a burning feeling when you urinate
• a thick greenish-yellow discharge coming out of your penis
• burning or itching around the hole of your penis
• pain in your testicles

How do you get tested?

If you are female, a doctor or nurse will check for infection by taking a swab of the cervix [the opening to the uterus] or they may ask you for a urine sample. If you are male, the doctor or nurse will ask you for a urine sample or they may swab the urethra [the opening of the penis].

How is it treated?

It can be cured with antibiotics. You should tell you sexual partner[s] that you have gonorrhea. They need to get treated too. A lot of people who have gonorrhea also have the STI called chlamydia. You and your partner[s] may need to be treated for chlamydia too.

You and your partner should not have sex until you have completed treatment and have been told that the infection is gone. Even if you are treated for this infection, you can get it back if you have sex with someone who is infected or has not been treated.

Part of safer sex is talking with your partner. If you can’t talk about it, you shouldn’t do it.