Gonorrhea Treatment

Written by Kathleen Morrison
Medically Reviewed by Andrea Sleeth WHNP-BC, MSCP

Gonorrhea is one of the most common STIs out there, caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

It’s a tricky one because it can sneak by without showing any obvious signs, which is why it’s so important to stay on top of your sexual health with regular testing. In fact, a lot of people who have gonorrhea might not even know it, which makes it even more important to be proactive about testing and health check-ups.

Whether you're in a relationship or casually hooking up, getting tested is one of the best ways to seriously take charge of your well-being and keep things on track.

Gonorrhea 101

Gonorrhea is a common bacterial infection that spreads (mainly) through sexual contact. It can affect multiple areas on your body—not just your genitals— including your mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.

While it’s treatable with prescription antibiotics, it can lead to some pretty serious health issues if you ignore it for too long. But don’t stress. Knowing what’s going on can put you in charge of your health and help you keep things in check.

What exactly is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

This bad boy thrives in the warm, moist areas of your body—think the mucous membranes in places like your genitals, mouth, throat, eyes, and your bum (sorry).

The good news? It’s a common infection, and the best part is, it’s treatable with prescription antibiotics, so it doesn’t have to stick around for long if you catch it early.

The bacteria behind Gonorrhea

The bacteria behind gonorrhea are, unfortunately, pretty clever.

It’s designed to thrive in those spots in your body, which makes it super easy to spread when you’re getting down and dirty with a partner.

This is why it’s so important to stay on top of your sexual health. Even though this bacteria can spread quickly, you can also easily take charge by getting tested regularly.

How common is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections out there, which is one of the reasons why it’s something you should be aware of.

To give you an idea of just how common it is, in the year 2020, the WHO estimated 82.4 million new infections with N. gonorrhoeae among adults. That’s quite a number of people.

The tricky part? A lot of people don’t know they have it because it often doesn’t show obvious symptoms. That’s why regular testing is so important—it's the best way to stay on top of your health and catch it early if it’s there.

How Gonorrhea Spreads

A gonorrhea infection is pretty much exclusively spread through sexual contact, but let’s break down exactly how it gets passed along, so you can stay in control of your health. Knowing when you might be at risk makes it easier to manage things and make smarter decisions.

The main ways Gonorrhea is spread

Here’s where gonorrhea can spread:

• Vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone who has it (yep, it can be passed through any of those)
• During childbirth, if an infected mom passes it to her baby
• Sharing sex toys that haven’t been properly cleaned (remember, clean toys = happy, healthy vibes)
  

Who’s at risk?

Honestly, anyone who’s sexually active can be at risk for gonorrhea. But there are certain things that can make the odds a little higher, like:

• Having multiple sex partners (more partners means more chances of exposure)
• Engaging in unprotected sex (which is why condoms are so important!)
• Having a history of STIs (if you’ve had one, it might make it easier to get another)
• Being a young adult, especially if you’re between the ages of 15 and 24 (this age group tends to be of a higher risk factor, so it’s extra important to stay on top of testing)

Remember that regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases and using condoms are key ways to help keep you and your partners healthy.

Gonorrhea symptoms

Gonorrhea can cause a range of symptoms, but it’s important to remember that a lot of people with the infection don’t feel anything at all! So even if you’re not experiencing symptoms, it’s still important to stay on top of testing. Here’s what you could notice if you do have symptoms:

• Common symptoms in men
• Guys, if you have gonorrhea, you might feel some discomfort, like:
• Pain or a burning feeling when you pee
• Discharge from the penis that’s different than usual (a little extra, if you know what we mean)
• Painful or swollen testicles (ouch)

These symptoms are a good reason to get checked out by a healthcare provider.

Common symptoms in women

For women, gonorrhea might show up with:

• Pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• More vaginal discharge than normal
• Lower abdominal pain (like cramps that just don’t quit)
• Spotting or bleeding between periods

These symptoms can be confused with other sexually transmitted infections (or even completely different issues), so don’t hesitate to get tested if you’re feeling off and just not sure.

Symptoms in other parts of the body

Surprisingly, gonorrhea can also affect other parts of your body, like:

• Rectal discomfort, discharge, or bleeding (super uncomfortable, not cute)
• A sore throat or swollen lymph nodes (if you’ve had oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea)
• Eye pain, discharge, or sensitivity to light (yikes!)

If you notice any of these signs, it might mean the infection has spread beyond the genital area.

When will symptoms show up?

If you’re going to experience symptoms, they usually pop up within 2 to 14 days after exposure. But here’s the catch: a lot of people don’t feel any symptoms at all. That’s why regular testing is super important—it’s the only way to really know what's going on down there.

Diagnosing Gonorrhea

Getting tested for gonorrhea is way easier than you might think, and it’s something you can take full control of.

When should you get tested?

You should get tested for gonorrhea if:

• You’re feeling the symptoms mentioned above (even if they’re mild)
• You’ve had unprotected sex with a new partner
• Your partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea
• You’re sexually active and under 25
• You’re pregnant (just to keep things in check for you and your baby)

Regular testing is a proactive way to stay ahead of any potential issues and to make sure you’re staying healthy.

How professionals test for Gonorrhea

There are a few different ways healthcare providers can test for gonorrhea, including:

• Urine tests (super simple, just pee in a cup)
• Swab tests from places like your cervix, urethra, throat, or rectum (don't worry, it's a quick and easy process)
  

Can you test at home?

Not everyone wants to go to a doctor’s office, and that’s totally okay! If you're looking for a more private and convenient option, at-home gonorrhea testing could be the perfect fit. At-home STD testing kits allow you to test in the comfort of your own space—no need to leave home.

It’s simple: you collect a sample (whether it’s urine or a swab) and send it off to a lab for analysis.

You’ll get the results discreetly, so you can take care of things without any stress. Plus, it’s fast, private, and reliable.

What happens if Gonorrhea isn’t treated

We get it—thinking about what could happen if gonorrhea isn’t treated can feel a little overwhelming, but knowledge is power! When caught early, gonorrhea is manageable and treatable. However, if it’s left unchecked, it can lead to some pretty serious complications. Let’s dive into what could happen if you don’t get treated:

Health complications

If gonorrhea isn’t treated, it can cause some pretty uncomfortable and serious health issues for both men and women. Here’s what can happen:

• Epididymitis (inflammation of the tube that carries sperm in men) and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) can cause pain and discomfort.
• For women, untreated gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which could result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.
• Both men and women are at risk of infertility, which makes it harder to have children down the line if gonorrhea is left untreated. If you’re pregnant, gonorrhea can lead to complications like premature birth, low birth weight, or even eye infections in newborns.

Gonorrhea can also sometimes spread to other parts of the body, like the blood or joints, causing a rare but life-threatening condition called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI).

None of this is fun, but the good news is that these complications are completely avoidable with early diagnosis and prescription treatment! By staying on top of your sexual health, you’re taking charge and keeping yourself safe and healthy. Getting tested is an easy way to make sure you catch it early if needed.

Gonorrhea and pregnancy

The journey to motherhood is such a precious time, and untreated gonorrhea can create some pregnancy complications that can affect both mom and baby. It can lead to things like:

• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Eye infections in newborns

Pregnant women should absolutely get tested—it’s an easy step to keep both themselves and their baby as healthy as possible.

Spreading to other body parts

In rare cases, gonorrhea can spread to other parts of the body, like the blood or joints, and cause a life-threatening condition called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI).

DGI is rare but serious, and it’s just another reason why getting tested and treated early is the best way to keep everything in check.

Staying safe to avoid Gonorrhea

Taking charge of your sexual health is all about making informed choices and staying on top of things. Let’s break down how you can stay proactive and keep yourself—and your partners—safe!

Safe sex

When it comes to trying to keep gonorrhea out of your life, some simple habits can go a long way! Here’s what helps:

• Condoms: Using them consistently and correctly is one of the easiest ways to keep things safe and sound.
• Know your partners: Limiting the number of sexual partners and making sure you’re both on the same page about testing can go a long way in keeping things clear.
• Trust your instincts: If either you or your partner has any weird symptoms, it’s a smart move to skip sexual contact until you both know what’s going on.
  

Regular testing

It’s so easy to get tested, and trust us—it’s worth it. Testing is the best way to catch any issues early, and it’s a key part of staying on top of your health. Discreet at-home testing kits make it easy to take care of business in the comfort of your own home. Super simple and pain-free.

Keeping partners (and babies) in the loop

If you do end up testing positive for gonorrhea, don’t stress! The most important thing is to let your sexual partners know so they can get tested and treated as well. And if you're pregnant, testing is especially important to make sure your baby is safe too.

By making testing and safe sex practices part of your routine, you're taking the best steps to keep things healthy, happy, and stress-free.

How to treat Gonorrhea

Good news: gonorrhea is very treatable with the right care. Here's everything you need to know about how to handle it and what steps to take for a speedy recovery.

What’s Gonorrhea treatment like?

Treating gonorrhea is (luckily) pretty straightforward.

Typically, it involves a single prescription injection of ceftriaxone that works pretty quickly to tackle the infection.

However, if you’re not keen on a needle, there is the option of an oral dose of the antibiotic. Keep in mind that this isn’t the recommended first line of defense, and it’s not effective if you test positive in the throat. But for some other cases, it’s still an option that could help!

Wisp treatment options are available only after consultation with a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement or treatment regimen. Individual results may vary.

What about drug-resistant Gonorrhea?

Yup, drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are a thing, which means it’s more important than ever to follow your care plan exactly.

By sticking to your prescribed antibiotics and doing any necessary follow-up tests, you’ll ensure the infection is gone and reduce the chances of antibiotic resistance. This is all about giving your body the best chance to kick that infection to the curb!

How long until I feel better?

The good news is that symptoms often start to improve within a few days of starting prescription treatment, which is a total relief.

But don’t stop there—make sure you finish the full course of antibiotics, even if you’re feeling better. This is key to making sure the infection is fully cleared up and not hanging around to cause more trouble.

Your health, your rules

Gonorrhea is one of the more common STIs out there, but it’s easy to treat when you stay on top of it.

Wisp is here to make things simple and stress-free with fast, discreet online care. Whether it’s a telehealth consultation, at-home testing kits, or same-day prescription pickup (or free home delivery!), we’ve got your back every step of the way.

So, keep regular testing in the mix, practice safe sex, and if something feels off, don’t hesitate to get checked.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What does gonorrhea do to a person?

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that spreads through sexual contact and can cause symptoms like painful urination and abnormal discharge. If left untreated, it could lead to some serious health issues, including infertility. That’s why it’s super important to get checked if anything feels off!

What does gonorrhea look like at first?

The tricky thing about gonorrhea is that it doesn’t always show up with symptoms right away—sometimes, it can be completely silent at first! But when symptoms do appear, they might include unusual discharge or discomfort during urination. Some people also notice sores or bumps on their genitals. If you notice anything strange, get tested—it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

What are four symptoms of gonorrhea?

The most common symptoms of gonorrhea are painful urination, unusual discharge (from the penis or vagina), testicular pain in men, and lower abdominal pain in women. But remember—lots of people don’t experience any symptoms at all! Regular testing is key to staying on top of your health.

Can you get gonorrhea not sexually?

While gonorrhea is mostly spread through sexual contact, it can also be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth. If you think you’re at risk, don’t hesitate to talk to a healthcare provider to get the care you need!

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information provided here.