What Is Gonorrhoea? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
What Is Gonorrhoea
Jamie, 22, skipped condoms once with a new partner and chalked up a mild burn during urination to “nothing serious.” A few days later, a yellow discharge prompted a visit to the local clinic, where a simple test confirmed gonorrhoea. One painless injection later and a scheduled follow-up, the infection was gone. Jamie walked away wiser: trust your instincts, get tested at the first sign, and always let partners know.
Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. While it can affect anyone who is sexually active, understanding its symptoms, transmission routes, diagnosis, and treatment is crucial for protecting your sexual health and preventing complications.
What Is Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is an infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that primarily infects the mucous membranes of the:
Urethra (in both men and women)
Cervix (in women)
Rectum
Throat
Eyes (rare)
Globally, gonorrhoea is one of the most prevalent STIs, with millions of new infections each year. In the UK, rates have been rising over the past decade, driven in part by antibiotic-resistant strains and stigma around testing.
Professional GP advice, anytime, anywhere
How Gonorrhoea Spreads
Gonorrhoea is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner. Key transmission routes include:
Penile–vaginal sex
Anal sex
Oral sex
Sharing sex toys (without cleaning or condom use between partners)
Importantly, gonorrhoea can pass from mother to baby during childbirth, leading to serious eye infections in newborns. Condoms and dental dams significantly reduce — but do not eliminate the risk of transmission.
Signs & Symptoms
Many people with gonorrhoea experience no symptoms, especially women. When symptoms do occur, they typically appear 2–7 days after exposure, though they can take longer.
Common Symptoms in Women
Increased vaginal discharge
Pain or burning when urinating
Intermenstrual bleeding (bleeding between periods)
Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Common Symptoms in Men
White, yellow, or green urethral discharge
Burning or pain on urination
Swollen or painful testicles (less common)
Other Sites of Infection
Rectal infection: Pain, discharge, or bleeding from the rectum.
Throat infection (pharyngeal): Often asymptomatic, but can cause sore throat.
Eye infection (conjunctivitis): Redness, pain, or discharge in one or both eyes.
Because many infections are silent, regular testing is essential for anyone with new or multiple sexual partners.
Diagnosis & Testing
Accurate diagnosis usually involves:
Sample collection:
Swab of the infected area (throat, rectum, cervix)
Urine sample (for urethral infection)
Laboratory testing:
Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT): The most sensitive method.
Culture: Growing the bacteria in the lab, useful for antibiotic-sensitivity testing.
Results are often available within 1–3 days. If you test positive, partners from the past 3 months should also be notified and treated.
Treatment Options
First-Line Therapy
Gonorrhoea is generally treated with a course of antibiotics, most commonly a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone, often accompanied by an oral dose of azithromycin to address potential co-infection. Because strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have increasingly shown resistance to certain drugs, healthcare providers may perform culture and sensitivity testing if symptoms persist, and recommend repeat testing 7–14 days after treatment to ensure the infection has cleared. Treatment guidelines are regularly updated in response to emerging resistance patterns, so it’s always best to consult the latest advice from organisations such as the UK Health Security Agency or your local sexual health clinic.
Complications of Untreated Gonorrhoea
If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to serious health issues:
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): In women, can cause chronic pelvic pain and infertility.
Epididymitis: In men, painful swelling of the testicles that may impair fertility.
Disseminated Gonococcal Infection: Bacteria spread to joints or bloodstream, leading to arthritis or, rarely, life-threatening sepsis.
Increased HIV Risk: Infection can make it easier to acquire or transmit HIV.
Early detection and treatment dramatically reduce these risks.
Preventing Gonorrhoea
Condom use: Consistent use of condoms or dental dams during all forms of sex.
Regular testing: Especially if you have multiple partners or a new partner.
Open communication: Discuss STI status and testing history with partners.
Vaccination research: While there’s no gonorrhoea vaccine yet, studies using the meningococcal B vaccine show promise in reducing risk.
Staying informed and proactive is your best defence.
Key Takeaways
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI that often shows no symptoms.
It spreads through unprotected sexual contact and can infect multiple body sites.
Diagnosis relies on NAAT or culture; treatment is with antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance is rising—follow-up testing and sensitivity checks are vital.
Prevention includes condom use, regular testing, and clear partner communication.
If you suspect you have gonorrhoea or have been exposed, book a confidential sexual health appointment promptly. Early treatment protects your health and that of your partners.
