Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection , caused by a bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This infection is often called ‘the clap’ (from a French word clapoir meaning ‘sexual sore’).

Like other sexually transmitted infections, it is especially common in young people, although you can catch it at any age. In 2004, there were over 22,000 cases diagnosed in clinics in the United Kingdom. The true number of cases is probably much higher, because gonorrhoea often has no symptoms(especially in women), so therefore many people who have it may not attend a clinic.

How gonorrhoea is transmitted

You catch a genital gonorrhoea infection by having sex with someone who has the infection. Therefore it is very important to use condoms with a new partner. Also, you can catch a gonorrhoea throat infection from oral sex.

How do I know if I have gonorrhoea?

Men with gonorrhoea usually develop a discharge from the urethra (‘pee hole’) and pain when passing urine. These symptoms start about 3–10 days after catching the infection. However, some men may have no symptoms so they do not know they have the infection.

In 7 out of 10 women, gonorrhoea causes no symptoms at all. Some women develop vague symptoms, such as an increase in vaginal discharge.

What to do if you think you might have gonorrhoea

If you have a symptom, such as a discharge, or if think you might be at risk of having an infection, you need a check-up at a genitourinary medicine clinic. People with gonorrhoea often have another infection as well (such as trichomonas), and a genitourinary medicine clinic will give you a general check-up for genital infection as well as testing for gonorrhoea.

Treatment for gonorrhoea

If the clinic finds that you have gonorrhoea, you will be prescribed a special antibiotic. In many countries gonorrhoea does not respond to common antibiotics. (This is called ‘resistance’.) Therefore the clinic will send your samples to the laboratory to ensure that the antibiotic you are given is the correct one. You will need check-ups afterwards to make sure the infection has gone. You must not have sex with anyone (not even with a condom) until the clinic gives you the all-clear. Your partner(s) will also need to be tested.

Is gonorrhoea dangerous?

If it is not treated, gonorrhoea can spread to other parts of the body. In women, it can travel upwards to the Fallopian tubes. These are the tubes that transport eggs from the ovary to the uterus. If the Fallopian tubes are damaged by an infection such as gonorrhoea, the woman may have difficulty conceiving a baby. Infection in the Fallopian tubes can cause pain in the lower abdomen (especially during sex), or may not cause any symptoms. In men, gonorrhoea can spread to the tubing around the testicle and to the prostate gland. Gonorrhoea can also spread through the bloodstream to the joints, causing a painful arthritis.

Dr Phil Hammond talks frankly about genital infections in his Expert guide to Genital infections

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Thursday, June 10th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Me on 30/04/2012 at 11:47

Ive been having un protective sex with my new partner for 3 weeks now. My last periods were 2weeks ago. I have a "sterilet" on n its still good for 3years. Im use to the discharge after my menstation but now this is just not normal. But now I have this thick pinkish smelly substance that comes out non stop.. I see people are talking about yellow or white or even green but me its pink. Can someone PLZ help me!!

Posted by Optional on 22/03/2012 at 08:09

I haven't had sex for about 30 months now but 2 or 3 weeks ago a girl did oral on me and then I woke up 2 days ago with a sticky yellow mucus at the tip of my penis but that was all its been 2 days and nothing has came out anymore and I don't feel pain while peeing or anything. what could this be??

Posted by mario on 21/12/2011 at 01:20

there is a tingle/ sensation in my urethra and there is pain coming from my right testicle side but theres no tenderness Any ideas?

Posted by Optional on 03/10/2011 at 05:15

Hi, I'm really worried, I had unprotected sex about 2/3 weeks ago with my new partner.. My vagina started 2 itch & I started passing white discharge. I knew it was thrush so bought canisten combi , inserted the tablet & been using the cream 4 over a wk now.. But it's not getting any better, went bk 2 my gp, prescribed me the oral thrush tablet.. I then explained my symptoms had worsened, I have 2 wee in the shower with water running on me because it's absolute agony! My vulva & entrance is very red, swollen & painful 2 touch.. But my discharge hasn't stopped & is turning slightly more of a light yellow colour than white.. & a snotty kind of texture.. I also have sore tonsils, with white lumps on them :( please please help me! Ta

Posted by Optional on 21/09/2011 at 07:02

I have been confirmed to have chlamydia & ghon' taken oral meds & had injection. 3 weeks on I'm suffering with very sore burning throat, watery offensive discharge & thrush. Not sure what is normal... Please advice.

Posted by Optional on 21/08/2011 at 06:50

It better to know the early stage of a disease.

Posted by Alice on 20/08/2011 at 11:57

I have a discharge that is foul fishy smelling and does not itch or causes any pain. There's no abdominal pain or nothing. The discharge really smells. What could it be?

Posted by Optional on 29/04/2011 at 05:01

i started to have burning sensetion on my ower abdmen two days after sex then and high temperature on my genitals then some painless tiny spots developed on my penis

Posted by jay on 25/04/2011 at 10:57

I have a yellowish discharge n it stains my boxers... I don't know what it is I got it like a week ago... n every time I pee it hurts... I don't know what I have but I hope you can help.. plz..

Posted by Optional gloria emmanuel on 13/03/2011 at 04:58

Hi doctor, i have a vaginal discharge. Am seeing blood even when i am not on my period, i have pain, and painful sexual intercourse. Am worry, pls, kindly tell me what i have.

Posted by Anonymous on 29/01/2011 at 12:56

Hi. I have a foul-smelling cloudy whitish liquid coming out of my penis for quite some time already. Does this mean I have Gonorrhoea when I did not have sex? It sometimes feels painful when I urine, and my genitals sometimes feel sore as well.

Posted by Optional on 25/01/2011 at 07:12

i have a strong smelling discharge. I went to the local clinic but the pills only helped for some few days & it came back again. It is so light, smelly & yellow. Sometimes i even use tampons to block the smell. It really hurts me. All this happened when i was dating this guy, we didnt use a condom for years cos i was using contraceptives. I regret myself for everything cos really this disease is so stressing and embarrasing

Posted by Discharge on 17/11/2010 at 07:05

HI so 5 days ago i had sex without a condom with a guy i know and today i noticed cloudy whitish liquid is coming out of my penis. Does this mean i have Gonorrhoea? It does kinda hurt sometimes to urine and my genitals sometimes feel sore.

Posted by MARY on 11/10/2010 at 06:30

Sumtimes wen i lay down....my pussy starts itching me...den d lower part of my tummy hurts...and also wen i wana pee...it hurts...and my discharge is thick and smelly..it smells soo bad dat i cnt even let my bf do oral sex wiv me..am soo ashamed..dnt know wat caused it..and i av to wash my pussy and change ma pants evry time..am tired of doin dat..wat do i do...pls help me...asap...pls...thanks

Posted by Optional on 08/08/2010 at 04:40

i have a yellowish discharge that i have been having for a while and thought i'd just ignore because it would just go away. but it has sort of got worse as my urine smells funny, also feel a bit of a burning/itching wen i urinate and a bit of pain in my testicles when i squeeze it lightly. very much appreciated if you help. cheers

Posted by mariaa on 27/07/2010 at 10:15

i have a yellow smelly discharge & i get the feeling i have to pee alot but i dont just a little comes out ! & my vagina is itchy sometimes !

Posted by kiera on 11/06/2010 at 01:12

I am 7months pregnant and I have this foul odor discharges in my vagina, does this affect my baby? What could this be? Where did I possibly get it? I also have itchiness before the foul odor discharge. What should I do?

Posted by ironman on 12/02/2010 at 12:10

this is so helpful,

Posted by anonymous on 17/10/2009 at 02:15

I started having discharge that was white and thick like cottage cheese and odoury..then suddenly it switched to this yellowish non odourless colour. I'm on anti depressants and some other pill for my mood so could that be messing around with my discharge colour? Help me please.

Posted by anon on 29/04/2009 at 09:45

been while my boyfriend a while and have noticed my discharge has suddenly gotten smelly and gone a funny colour, i haven't cheated and im 100% sure my boyfriend hasnt either. Help!!!

Posted by Anonymous on 09/01/2009 at 11:57

i have smelly discharge and white stains in my knickers