What is gonorrhea?
- Cause
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria
- Symptoms
- Often none at all
- Diagnosed by
- A urine test or swab
- Recommended treatment
- A single treatment, usually an injection
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect the genitals, rectum and throat, and it spreads through vaginal, anal and oral sex. It can also pass to a baby during birth.
It is curable with the right antibiotic. The bacteria have become resistant to several older antibiotics, so treatment follows current guidelines closely.
Without treatment, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and chronic pain.
Gonorrhea symptoms
Many people have no symptoms. When symptoms appear, they depend on where the infection is:
Vaginal infection
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Burning when you urinate
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Pelvic or lower belly pain
Penile infection
- White, yellow or green discharge
- Burning when you urinate
- Pain or swelling in one testicle (less common)
Rectal or throat infection
- Often no symptoms
- Anal itching, discharge, bleeding or painful bowel movements
- Sore throat (rarely)
Get seen promptly if you have
These can signal a complication that needs in-person care:
- Severe pelvic or abdominal pain, or fever
- Pain or swelling in a testicle
- Joint pain, skin sores or fever after a possible exposure
Who should think about gonorrhea
- New or multiple partners
- Or a partner who has other partners.
- Condomless sex
- Including oral and anal sex.
- A past STI
- Previous infection, including gonorrhea, raises the risk of another.
- Age under 25
- Sexually active women under 25 are advised to get screened regularly.
- Men who have sex with men
- Screening at least once a year is recommended, more often with higher risk.
- A partner with an STI
- Testing and treatment are recommended even without symptoms.
Testing for gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is diagnosed with a lab test, usually a urine sample or a swab from the area that may be infected (the vagina, urethra, throat or rectum). Symptoms alone can't confirm it, because chlamydia and other infections look similar.
If you've had a positive result elsewhere, share it in your visit.
How gonorrhea is treated
Because of growing antibiotic resistance, current guidelines recommend one main treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea, with alternatives only when it isn't available or can't be used.
Your provider will explain which treatment is appropriate for you, including where to get an injection if one is recommended.
After treatment
- Avoid sex for 7 days after treatment, and until all partners have been treated
- Get retested about 3 months later, because reinfection is common
- If you had a throat infection, get a test of cure 7–14 days after treatment
- Contact a provider if symptoms continue after treatment
Is an online gonorrhea visit right for you?
An online visit can help if you:
- Have a positive gonorrhea test and need a treatment plan
- Were told a partner tested positive
- Have symptoms and want guidance on testing
- Want confidential advice about STI risk
Get in-person care if you:
- Have severe pelvic or abdominal pain, or fever
- Have testicular pain or swelling
- Have joint pain, rash or fever after an exposure
How PulseCareMD can help
A PulseCareMD visit is a confidential way to get a licensed provider's advice after an exposure, symptoms or a positive test. Your provider can review your situation, explain recommended treatment and what's available to you, and help you plan testing and partner notification. Your visit fee covers the consultation.
Share what's going on
Answer private questions about symptoms, exposures and any test results.
A provider reviews it
A licensed provider reviews your exposure, symptoms and any results against current treatment guidelines. Many visits are reviewed within 2–3 hours.
Get your next steps
Clear guidance on treatment, testing and how to protect your partners.
Lowering your risk
These steps reduce the chance of getting or passing on gonorrhea:
Use condoms every time
For vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Test regularly
Especially with new or multiple partners, even without symptoms.
Make sure partners are treated
Partners from the past 60 days should be tested and treated.
Frequently asked questions
When to get emergency care
Go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Severe abdominal or pelvic pain with fever or vomiting
- Sudden, severe testicular pain
- Fever with joint pain and a rash