Gonorrhea Health Article

Expectations (prognosis)

Immediately treating a gonorrhea infection helps prevent permanent scarring and infertility. When treatment is delayed there is a greater chance of complications and sterility.

Complications

Complications in women may include:

• Salpingitis (scarring of the fallopian tubes), which can lead to problems getting pregnant
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Vulvovaginitis
• Sterility (inability to become pregnant)
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

Complications in men may include:

• Periurethral abscess (collection of pus around the urethra)
• Narrowing of the urethra caused by scarring (urethral stricture)
• Urination problems
• Urinary tract infection
• Kidney failure

Complications in both men and women may include:

• Disseminated infection, which can be very serious
• Infection or inflammation of the reproductive system
• Peritonitis
• Bacteremia (gonococcemia)
• Gonococcal arthritis (joint infection)
• Gonococcal pharyngitis (throat infection)
• Ophthalmia neonatorum (gonococcal conjunctivitis)

Calling your health care provider

If you have symptoms suggestive of gonorrhea, you should call your health care provider immediately. Most state-sponsored clinics will diagnose and treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) without charge.

Prevention

Not having sexual intercourse (abstinence) is the only absolute method of preventing gonorrhea. A monogamous sexual relationship with an individual known to be free of any STD can reduce risk. Monogamous means you and your partner do not have sex with any other persons.

You can greatly lower your risk of catching an STD by using a condom every time you have sex. Condoms are available for both men and women, but are most commonly worn by the man. A condom must be used properly every time. (For instructions on how to use a condom, see safe sex.)

To further prevent the spread of infection, treatment of all sexual partners is important.

Gonorrhea is often associated with the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases. About half of the women with gonorrhea are also infected with chlamydia, another very common STD that can result in sterility. If you have gonorrhea, you should request testing for other sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Update to CDC's Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2006: Fluoroquinolones No Longer Recommended for Treatment of Gonococcal Infections. MMWR. 2007; 56(14);332-336.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Gonorrhea: Recommendation Statement. Am Fam Physician. Nov. 1, 2005; 72(9); 1783-1786.

Cohen J, Powderly WG. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2004:2173-2186.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2004. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, September 2005.

Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W. Sexually transmitted disease among American youth: Incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2004; 36: 6-10.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2002. MMWR. 2002;51(no. RR-6).