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Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection usually treated with an antibiotic injection. If treated early, it can be cured and usually doesn’t cause long-term problems. About 50% of women and 10% of men don’t experience any symptoms and are unaware they’re infected, but this STI can lead to more serious complications.

Symptoms of Gonorrhoea

  • Unusual green or yellow discharge from the vagina
  • Unusual green, yellow or white discharge from the tip of the penis
  • Pain or tenderness in the lower tummy
  • Burning feeling when peeing
  • Heavy periods or bleeding between periods (rare)
  • Painful swelling of the foreskin
  • Pain or tenderness in the testicles (rare)

Symptoms can appear 2–14 days after contact, much later, or only when the infection spreads. Some people have no symptoms.

Testing for gonorrhoea:

  • If you have a vagina: a swab is taken from inside the vagina
  • If you have a penis: you give a urine sample
  • If you’ve had anal or oral sex: a swab may be taken from the rectum or throat

Because gonorrhoea is becoming resistant to antibiotics, you’ll need a follow-up test after treatment to make sure it’s gone. If you’ve had gonorrhoea before and got treatment, you can still catch it again.

Using condoms correctly helps prevent gonorrhoea.

Download our patient leaflet for more information.

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