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What is gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection, or STI, caused by bacteria. It can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat and, less commonly, the eyes.
Some people do not notice any symptoms at all, which means the infection can be passed on without knowing. This is why testing is important if you have had unprotected sex or a new partner.
Common symptoms in women
In women, gonorrhoea can sometimes cause unusual vaginal discharge. This may be thicker than usual, yellow or green, and may smell different.
Other symptoms can include pain when passing urine and pain in the lower abdomen. Some women also notice bleeding between periods or after sex.
Because the symptoms can be mild, they are sometimes mistaken for thrush, a urine infection or another common condition. If symptoms do not go away, it is important to get checked.
Common symptoms in men
In men, gonorrhoea often causes a white, yellow or green discharge from the penis. This may be more noticeable first thing in the morning.
It can also cause a burning or stinging feeling when urinating. Some men get pain or tenderness in one or both testicles, although this is less common.
Even if symptoms seem mild, gonorrhoea still needs treatment. Without treatment, it can lead to further infection and complications.
Symptoms in the throat, rectum and eyes
Gonorrhoea in the throat often has no symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they may include a sore throat or discomfort when swallowing.
Rectal gonorrhoea can cause pain, itching, discharge or bleeding from the back passage. Some people also notice discomfort when opening their bowels.
If the infection affects the eyes, it can cause redness, pain, swelling or discharge. This needs urgent medical attention.
When to get tested
If you think you may have gonorrhoea, you should get a sexual health test as soon as possible. In the UK, testing is available free from NHS sexual health clinics and many GP surgeries.
You should also get tested if a partner tells you they have gonorrhoea, even if you feel well. Many people have no symptoms, so a negative feeling does not mean you are clear.
Why symptoms should not be ignored
Gonorrhoea can lead to serious health problems if it is not treated. In women, it can spread to the reproductive organs and increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.
In men, it can cause infection in the testicles and, in rare cases, affect fertility. Getting tested and treated quickly also helps stop it being passed to others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common gonorrhoea symptoms in adults can include a burning feeling when urinating, unusual discharge from the penis or vagina, pelvic pain, pain during sex, and bleeding between periods. Some people have no symptoms at all.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in men may include painful urination, white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis, swollen or painful testicles, and itching or irritation at the penis opening. Some men do not notice any symptoms.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in women may include increased vaginal discharge, burning when urinating, pelvic pain, pain during sex, and bleeding between periods or after sex. Many women have mild symptoms or none at all.
Yes. Gonorrhoea symptoms can be absent in many people, especially women, so an infection can still be present without obvious signs. Testing is important if there has been possible exposure.
Gonorrhoea symptoms can appear a few days after exposure, but they may also take up to two weeks or longer. In some people, symptoms never appear.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in the throat are often mild or absent, but they can include a sore throat, swollen glands, redness, or discomfort when swallowing. Many throat infections cause no symptoms.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in the rectum can include discharge from the rectum, itching, pain, bleeding, and discomfort when passing stool. Some rectal infections cause no symptoms.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in the eyes can include redness, pain, swelling, discharge, and sensitivity to light. Eye infection can be serious and needs prompt medical attention.
Yes. Gonorrhoea symptoms can include pelvic pain, especially in women, and it may also be linked to pelvic inflammatory disease if the infection spreads upward. Pelvic pain should be assessed by a clinician.
Yes. Gonorrhoea symptoms can include pain during sex, particularly in women, and sometimes discomfort after sex. This symptom can happen with other conditions too, so testing is important.
Yes. Gonorrhoea symptoms in women can include bleeding between periods or bleeding after sex. Any unusual bleeding should be checked by a healthcare professional.
Yes. Gonorrhoea symptoms in men can include swollen or painful testicles. Testicle pain can have other causes as well, so urgent evaluation is recommended.
Yes. Gonorrhoea symptoms in men often include discharge from the penis that may be white, yellow, or green. The discharge may be thin or thicker and can happen with burning urination.
Yes. Gonorrhoea symptoms in women can include unusual vaginal discharge that may be increased in amount or look different from usual. Discharge can also occur with other infections.
Yes. Burning or pain when urinating is one of the common gonorrhoea symptoms in both men and women. It is not specific to gonorrhoea, so testing is needed to confirm the cause.
Gonorrhoea symptoms such as severe pelvic pain, testicle pain or swelling, eye pain or discharge, fever with genital symptoms, or signs of widespread infection should prompt urgent medical care. Prompt treatment helps prevent complications.
Yes. Gonorrhoea symptoms can be similar to symptoms of chlamydia, urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and other sexually transmitted infections. Only testing can reliably tell the cause.
Yes. Gonorrhoea symptoms in oral infection are often absent or limited to a sore throat, while genital infection may cause discharge, burning urination, or pelvic pain. Different infection sites can cause different symptoms.
Untreated gonorrhoea symptoms can lead to serious complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, epididymitis, pregnancy complications, and a higher risk of other sexually transmitted infections. Early testing and treatment are important.
Someone should get tested as soon as possible if they have gonorrhoea symptoms or think they may have been exposed. Early testing helps confirm the diagnosis and start treatment quickly.
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