Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD), especially among those between the ages of 15 and 24. Gonorrhea can infect the genitals, rectum, or throat and is spread by having oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who is already infected. Additionally, gonorrhea can be spread from a mother to their baby during childbirth.
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
In most cases, gonorrhea does not have any symptoms, which contributes to how common it is. This is because if no symptoms are present, it is difficult to know that you have an infection and should be taking extra precautions. Additionally, if symptoms are present, they are often mistaken as a bladder infection.
Women with gonorrhea may experience symptoms such as:
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Pain or burning when peeing
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
Men may experience symptoms such as:
- A yellow, white, or green discharge from the penis
- Burning when peeing
- Swollen or painful testicles
- Anal itching
- Discharge
- Bleeding
- Soreness
- Painful bowel movements
If you experience any of the above symptoms and are in the UAE, DNA Health & Wellness Dubai can help you screen for gonorrhea and other STDs with our STD test packages. Receiving a diagnosis is a critical first step in treating the infection.
How To Treat Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is typically diagnosed using a urine sample. However, a swab may be used to collect samples from the rectum or throat if you have had anal or oral sex, respectively.
Once gonorrhea is diagnosed, it is easy to start its treatment. However, following the treatment as prescribed is essential to cure the infection.
There are some drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea that are starting to increase in frequency, which can make it harder to treat the disease. If your symptoms continue for a few days after beginning treatment, visit your doctor again to inquire about a different medication.
What Happens If Gonorrhea Is Left Untreated?
While medication is available to treat the gonorrhea infection, it cannot reverse any damage that the disease has already caused, and when left untreated, gonorrhea can cause some serious health problems.
- Ectopic pregnancies
- Scar tissue that blocks fallopian tubes
- Long-term pelvic or abdominal pain
- Infertility
Men with untreated gonorrhea can experience severe pain in the tubes attached to the testicles. In rare cases, this can then lead to infertility.
Untreated gonorrhea may also spread to the joints or blood. This is rare, but it can be life-threatening when it occurs.
Pregnant women with gonorrhea can also put their baby at risk of contracting the disease if it is left untreated. If you are pregnant, it is recommended to receive an STD screening to ensure that any STDs are treated and managed to prevent the risk of passing them on to your baby.
Protect Yourself from Gonorrhea
It is recommended for those who are sexually active to be tested for gonorrhea annually to ensure that they are not infected. If you do have a gonorrhea infection, detecting it early allows for treatment to occur before permanent damage is sustained.
At DNA Health & Wellness Dubai, you can schedule a discreet and convenient STD test in Dubai. We offer many STD test packages, so you can choose one that checks for as many STDs as you want while still at a reasonable price.
