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What you need to know

​Gonorrhea basics

What is gonorrhea and how do you get it?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Gonorrhea causes infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat. You can get gonorrhea by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the infection. You can still get gonorrhea even if your sex partner does not ejaculate (cum). An infected pregnant person can give it to their baby during childbirth.  ​​​

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Many people with gonorrhea, especially people with a vagina, do not have any symptoms.

See a health care provider if you have these symptoms.

When a person with a vagina has symptoms, they are often mild. They can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Symptoms can include:

• Painful or burning sensation when peeing

• Increased or abnormal vaginal discharge

• Vaginal bleeding between periods

People with penises may experience:

• A burning sensation when peeing

• A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis

• Painful or swollen testicles (less common)

People can also get gonorrhea in their rectum. This happens by receiving anal sex. Or it can spread from another infected site, like the vagina. If symptoms occur, they can include:

• Discharge

• Itching in or around the anus

• Soreness

• Bleeding

• Painful bowel movements

• Sensation to have frequent bowel movements

Throat infections usually do not have symptoms, but may cause:

• Sore throat

• Swollen tonsils
  

• Swollen lymph nodes

If gonorrhea is left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems.

• For any person, a gonorrhea infection:

• ​May increase chances of getting or giving HIV

• Can cause a rare condition called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). The infection spreads through your blood to your joints, skin, heart or brain. This is a serious condition that can lead to death.

• In people with a vagina, untreated gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some of the complications of PID are:

• ​Scar tissue that blocks fallopian tubes

• Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb) 

• Infertility (not being able to get pregnant)

• Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain 
  

• In people with a penis, an infection can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles. This can, in rare cases, lead to infertility.
  

• Pregnant people with gonorrhea can pass the infection to their newborn. The infant may develop the following within a few days after delivery:

• ​Sepsis (full body infection)

• Meningitis (infection around the brain)

• Eye infections​
  
  

How do I avoid getting gonorrhea?

If you are sexually active, lower your chances of getting gonorrhea:

• Have sex only with a partner(s) who has been tested and does not have gonorrhea.

• Use condoms every time you have sex.

• You can still get gonorrhea even if your sex partner does not ejaculate (cum). Ask your health care provider about doxy PEP. It is a medication you take within 72 hours of having sex. It can reduce your risk of infection from gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

• See a provider if your partner has an STI or symptoms of one. Symptoms can include:

• ​An unusual sore

• Smelly discharge

• Burning when peeing

• Bleeding between periods  
  

Resources for everyone

• Condom Access for Teens

• Condoms may prevent STIs

• Gonorrhea Fact Sheet in English (CDC)
  

• Gonorrhea Fact Sheet in Spanish (CDC)​
  

• Just Diagnosed? Next Steps After Testing Positive for Gonorrhea or Chlamydia

• Patient and Partner Education Materials for PDPT In Multiple Languages

• Reduce infection by using Doxy PEP
  

• STI Test Sites ​