Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is the second most common bacterial STI in the UK, so we need to know what it is and how to keep ourselves safe

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI), otherwise known as ‘the clap’. Anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhoea, especially if people are having unprotected sex.

How do people get gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is caused by a type of bacteria that is found in semen or vaginal fluid. It can infect various parts of the body, such as the cells of the cervix, the urethra (where we urinate from), the throat, the eyes and the rectum. People pass this bacteria onto others through unprotected sexual activity:

Anal sex
Vaginal sex
Oral sex
Sharing sex toys without using different condoms or washing them properly in between uses

Unprotected sexual activity means without barrier methods of contraception, e.g. condoms or dental dams. Gonorrhoea transmits through sexual body fluids, therefore people are not at risk by kissing, hugging, sharing baths, sharing towels, baths or cups, via toilet seats or in swimming pools.

What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Often people don’t show symptoms of gonorrhoea, so it’s important to get an STI test after unprotected sex, just in case. If someone does develop symptoms, they usually include:

Pain or a burning feeling when peeing
Unusual or different coloured discharge from the vagina (green or yellow)
Unusual or different coloured discharge from the tip of the penis (green, yellow or white)
Pain or tenderness in the tummy
Pain or swelling of the foreskin
Heavy periods or bleeding between periods (rare)
Pain or tenderness in the testicles (rare)

For the rectum, throat and eyes, symptoms are a bit different:

Rectum: pain, discomfort or discharge
Throat: no symptoms
Eyes: conjunctivitis (also known as ‘pink eye’)

If gonorrhoea is left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body and cause infertility, regardless of gender. This makes it especially important to get checked out after unprotected sexual activity.

How can I check if I do have gonorrhoea?

Grab a STI test! It’s free and there are lots of places to get one: GUM or sexual health clinics, Brook services and some GP surgeries. Find your nearest service here. There are also free home testing kits available in some parts of the UK. Be aware that cervical smear tests and blood tests will not detect gonorrhoea.

This test can be a urine test or a swab test. The clinic will advise you on which test is better for you. The urine test is a urine sample. The swab test looks like a cotton bud and collects a sample of bacteria inside the vagina or from the tip of the penis. Often, people can do a vaginal swab themselves; it may be a bit uncomfortable but not painful. If someone has had unprotected oral or anal sex, the swab may also be taken from the throat or rectum.

Results should be ready within two weeks – typically by text if the result is negative, or by phone call if the result is positive and you need treatment. If there’s a high chance the result is positive (e.g. your partner was positive), you may have treatment immediately regardless of the results.

What happens if I do have gonorrhoea?

If your results are positive, you need treatment. This means a single dose of antibiotic tablets and an antibiotic injection. Avoid engaging in any sexual activity until you know you no longer have the infection – this prevents you from getting the infection again or passing the infection on.

Previous sexual partners (from the last 6 months) also need to know. This can feel nerve-wracking, but they may have the infection as well and need treatment. If it feels too difficult to talk to previous sexual partners, some clinics offer a ‘partner notification’ service that warns them of potential exposure to a STI without mentioning any names.

How do I keep myself safe from gonorrhoea?

Use condoms and dental dams! Condoms are a barrier method of contraception, which means they protect from STIs as well as pregnancy. We should also use condoms on sex toys, if sharing them. Dental dams are another barrier method for flat skin surfaces, like the vulva or anus.

If you’re in a relationship, take a STI test with your partner! Once you both have negative results or any necessary treatment, you don’t need to worry about protecting yourselves from STIs if you’re exclusive and/or monogamous.

There’s a lot of stigma surrounding STIs, but they’re very common and gonorrhoea is easily treatable. It’s just like having an ear or throat infection, which needs a diagnosis and treatment of antibiotics. There’s nothing dirty or wrong about having an STI, they’re part of being sexually active. But we do need to test regularly and keep ourselves safe.

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