Gonorrhea

Fact sheet about gonorrhea

What is gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrheoeae. It is sometimes called “the clap” and can cause symptoms in the genitals, throat, and rectum. Gonorrhea can cause health problems if left untreated. Anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea more than once; however, there are ways to help reduce the risk of re-infection.

How does gonorrhea spread? 

• Gonorrhea spreads through sexual contact. It is commonly spread through condomless sex, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, with someone who has the infection.
• A pregnant person can pass gonorrhea to their baby during childbirth. 

What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea often has no symptoms but sometimes people can experience the following: 

• A burning sensation when peeing
• Bleeding between periods or during sex
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Rectal discharge, soreness, itching, or bleeding
• Painful bowel movements
• White, yellow, or green penile discharge 
• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (less common)

What are my testing options?

You should see a healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms of gonorrhea or have had sex with someone who has tested positive gonorrhea.  A urine sample or swab samples from the throat, rectum, and/or genitals may be used to diagnose gonorrhea. 

Gonorrhea Testing Recommendations: 

People who are sexually active should have an open and honest conversation with their healthcare provider so that the provider can recommend the right kind of STI testing.

• Sexually active women, transgender men, and gender diverse individuals with a cervix younger than 25 years of age should be tested every year
• Sexually active gay, queer, or bisexual men and transgender women should get tested every year
• Sexually active heterosexual or straight men should also get tested every year 
• Talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested more often if you have more than one sex partner

What are my treatment options?

Gonorrhea is curable with the right antibiotic medicine from a healthcare provider. Follow-up testing should be done to make sure the treatment was successful. You should avoid sexual activity for at least seven days after you and any sex partner who also had gonorrhea received treatment. It is possible to get gonorrhea multiple times, even if you have been treated before.

What happens if gonorrhea is left untreated? 

Untreated gonorrhea can cause health problems including abdominal pain, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and problems getting pregnant. 

In people with testicles, gonorrhea can cause pain in the tubes attached to the testicles. In rare cases, this can result in problems getting your partner pregnant. 

Untread gonorrhea can also increase risk for acquiring HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. 

How can I prevent gonorrhea? 

There are a few things you can do to lower your risk of getting gonorrhea:

• Use condoms consistently and correctly during sex and consider using other barriers like dental dams
• Limit your number of sexual partners 
• Talk to a healthcare provider about DoxyPEP
• Get tested if you have any symptoms

Medications like doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy PEP) can help prevent bacterial STIs after exposure, while HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PrEP) can reduce your risk of acquiring HIV. Take charge of your sexual health and talk to your provider about what methods are right for you.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor, nurse, or sexual and reproductive health provider
• Your health center or family planning clinic
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of STD Prevention & HIV Surveillance, Partner Services Program at [phone].
• Doxy PEP information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
• HIV PrEP information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health