Gonorrhoea

Symptoms usually appear between 2 and 10 days after sexual contact with an infected partner, if they appear at all. Early symptoms can be mild, and women often mistake them for a bladder infection.  

In women, symptoms may include as follows: 

• Painful or burning sensation when urinating  
• Vaginal discharge (bloody or yellow) 
• Vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex  
• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain  

Up to 70% of women with genital gonorrhoea are asymptomatic.   

In men, symptoms may include: 

• Painful or burning sensation when urinating  
• Yellow or white discharge from the penis 
• Redness at the opening of the penis 
• Testicular pain  

Over 80% of men experience mild symptoms.  

Rectal infection 

• Gonorrhoea can also infect the rectum, causing symptoms such as painful bowel movements and blood in the faeces test.   

Gonorrhoea is easily treated, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications. In women, it may cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in infertility. In men, it can lead to infertility through inflammation of the testicles. Other long-term complications may include liver infection and permanent organ damage.   

Gonorrhoea is diagnosed through either: 

• A swab of secretion or discharge from the infected area (e.g. cervix, urethra, penis, anus or throat), or  
• A urine sample, which is suitable for genital infections  

Testing for gonorrhoea is bulk-billed and confidential (note: private GP consultation fees may apply). To get tested: 

Gonorrhoea is easily treated with a course of antibiotics. 

To prevent reinfection:  

• Avoid sexual contact for 7 days after treatment or until both you and your current partner have completed treatment.   

Follow-up testing is recommended: 

• 2 weeks after treatment to confirm the infection has cleared  
• 3 months later to check for reinfection, as it is common  

• Most women do not experience symptoms or may mistake them for a bladder or vaginal infection.  
• If you test positive for gonorrhoea, you should also be screened for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).   
• Your sexual partner(s) should be tested and treated to prevent reinfection.  
• Having gonorrhoea increases your risk of contracting other STIs, including HIV. 

• STI Patient Brochure    
• Patient Test Instructions – Collection of Urine for Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhoea 
• Patient Test Instructions – Self-Collect Vaginal Swab for Bacterial STIs 
• Patient Test Instructions – Self-Collect Anal/Rectal Swab for Bacterial STIs