GONORRHOEA TESTING

Gonorrhoea is frequently diagnosed in the UK and the second most common bacterial STI after Chlamydia. Of the population of women and men in the UK who have gonorrhoea, over half of women and 1 in 10 men are symptom free. This results in undiagnosed people who are still able to transmit the infection.

It is important be regularly tested for Gonorrhoea even when you have no symptoms particularly if you have multiple sexual partners. At the Sexual Health Clinic, we offer Gonorrhoea testing at affordable rates so it is easy to restore to you to full sexual health. Call us on 0203 475 1653 now or book an appointment online.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea

The symptoms of Gonorrhoea in women differ from that of men. In women, symptoms include:

• Lower abdominal pain or tenderness.
• Bleeding between periods.
• Abnormal vaginal discharge which may be thin or watery, greenish or yellowish.
• Burning or a painful sensation when urinating (dysuria).
• Bleeding after sex.
• Heavier periods (menorrhagia).

In men, the symptoms of gonorrhoea include:

• Inflammation or redness of the foreskin.
• Testicular pain or tenderness.
• Burning or a painful sensation when passing urine (dysuria).
• Unusual discharge from the penis which may be whitish, greenish or yellowish.

In the majority of people symptoms show 2 - 10 days after infection however in others it can take as long as 30 days for symptoms to appear - importantly some people have no symptoms at all.

If Gonorrhoea is left untreated in women it can lead to pelvic inflammatory diseases, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. While in men it can lead to difficulties in passing urine and cause problems with the prostate.

Causes of gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoea or gonococcus. The bacteria grow in the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes of women and the urethra of both men and women. The active bacteria can also grow in the mouth, anus, and throat.

Gonorrhoea is transmitted by having unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex and sharing sex toys with an infected person. Gonnorhoea can also be transmitted from an infected pregnant mother to her baby during childbirth and cruciallycan cause blindness in the baby.

Gonorrhoea cannot be transmitted through kissing, hugging, sharing cutleries, towels, cups, or the toilet seat of an infected person because the bacteria cannot survive outside the body for long periods of time.

Testing for gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea testingis carried out using a urine or swab sample. If you prefer we can test using a urine sample. It is important that you remember not to urinate 3 hours before the sample is to be taken. We can also test for Chlamydia test using PCR at the same time.  When the results are available we will be able to give you the appropriate treatment with antibiotics suitable to eliminate your infection.

At the Sexual Health Clinic a PCR test for Gonorrhoea is available within 24 hours of taking a sample while a bacteria swab test for sensitivity is only obtainable after 3 days.

If you have any concerns about your sexual health or you think you may have Gonorrhoea you can contact us on 0203 475 1653 to book for an appointment with our expert sexual health professionals.

FAQs