What is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It is sometimes known as ‘the clap'.

Gonorrhoea can infect your:

• throat
• anus
• urethra (tube for your urine)
• cervix (neck of the womb found at the top of your vagina)
• eyes

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea only usually causes symptoms if it affects the eyes or urethra.

If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• pain, discomfort or burning sensation when passing urine
• sore, dry throat
• conjunctivitis
• anal discharge and discomfort

In females, they may include:

• unusual vaginal discharge
• pelvic pain, especially during sex
• irregular vaginal bleeding, especially between periods or after sex

In males, they may include:

• yellow, white or green discharge from your penis
• painful or swollen testicles (balls)
• redness around the opening of your penis

If you do develop symptoms, usually they start 2 to 5 days after being infected with gonorrhoea.

What causes gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is caused by infection with the bacterium neisseria gonorrhoea.

It is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can also be passed by your fingers or hands from your genitals to your eyes.

If you have gonorrhoea during pregnancy, it may be passed to your baby during labour and birth, and may cause neonatal conjunctivitis (eye infection) or even blindness.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor or visit your local sexual health clinic if you:

• think you have gonorrhoea or another STI
• have had sexual contact with someone who has been diagnosed with gonorrhoea or another STI

How is gonorrhoea diagnosed?

Gonorrhoea is diagnosed by:

• a sample of your urine
• a swab (sample) with a cotton bud from where you may be infected, such as your cervix (in your vagina), penis, anus or throat

The swab or sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.

Gonorrhoea is a nationally notifiable disease. This means that your doctor must tell the Department of Health about all cases of gonorrhoea. The Department monitors all cases of gonorrhoea in order to identify outbreaks and improve healthcare responses.

If you have gonorrhoea, you should also get tested for other STIs such as syphilis, chlamydia and HIV.

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics.

It is very important that you finish the full course of antibiotics. After you have finished treatment, you will be tested again to make sure you are cured.

Most of the time antibiotics cures gonorrhoea. It's important to remember to keep practicing safe sex, since treatment doesn't make you immune to reinfection with gonorrhoea if you are exposed again.

Neisseria gonorrhoea bacteria are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, so if you still have symptoms a few days after starting treatment, see your doctor again.

It's also important to tell any sexual partners that you have an STI, so they can be tested and treated too.

Your doctor will help you decide who you need to tell and how to tell them.

You should also avoid sexual contact:

• for the first 7 days after you have started your treatment or until you have finished your treatment and symptoms have gone away — whichever is later
• with any sexual partners from the past 2 months until they have been tested and treated

Can gonorrhoea be prevented?

The best way you can prevent gonorrhoea is by practicing safe sex:

• Always use condoms with a water-based lubricant.
• Always use dental dams for oral sex (a dental dam is a thin square of latex placed over the vulva or anus during oral sex).
• Limit your sex partners to reduce your risk of catching an STI.
• Avoid sex with someone infected with gonorrhoea until after they have finished treatment and are cured.
• Have regular check-ups and STI checks.

Learn more about practicing safe sex.

Complications of gonorrhoea

Untreated gonorrhoea can cause:

• infections affecting the skin, joints, heart (endocarditis) and brain (meningitis)
• infertility in both females and males
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• epididymitis and prostatitis (inflammation of your prostate)

Some of these complications can cause permanent damage to your health.

Coping with being diagnosed with gonorrhoea

Finding out you have gonorrhoea can be distressing. You might feel alone, embarrassed, anxious and afraid of rejection or not being sexually desirable.

Gonorrhoea is a very common STI. It can be easily treated, and you can fully recover.

If you are worried about telling recent sexual partners that you have gonorrhoea, you can send them an anonymous text message or email through some websites, such as Let Them Know.

Remember, your diagnosis is confidential. Your health professional is not allowed to tell anyone without your permission.

However, you may find it helpful to talk to a parent or a friend you trust. There are organisations that can support you, such as Sexual Health Quarters. They can provide counselling, help you with your treatments and answer questions you may have.

Resources and support

• NSW Sexual Health Infolink (1800 451 624 is a non-judgemental information and STI referral service in New South Wales.
• Family Planning provides sexual health and reproductive services, including STI testing. Get information and find clinics in your state or territory here.
• The Let Them Know website helps you send free, anonymous text messages or emails to sexual partners to help with contact tracing.
• Drama Down Under is a website specifically for males with male sexual partners. Learn more about STIs, contact tracing and receive reminders when it's time to be retested.