What happens if you have gonorrhea?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 18, 2026
Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. In women, gonorrhea can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The symptoms may be quite mild or can be very severe and can include abdominal pain and fever 13.
What happens to your body when you have gonorrhea?
Infection that spreads to the joints and other areas of your body. The bacterium that causes gonorrhea can spread through the bloodstream and infect other parts of your body, including your joints. Fever, rash, skin sores, joint pain, swelling and stiffness are possible results.
Should I be worried if I have gonorrhea?
Left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause serious health problems like PID, infertility, and potential deadly ectopic pregnancy. Also, without treatment, your partner might pass the STD back to you.
Can you survive gonorrhea?
Yes, the right treatment can cure gonorrhea. It is important that you take all of the medicine your healthcare provider gives you to cure your infection. Do not share medicine for gonorrhea with anyone. Although medicine will stop the infection, it will not undo any permanent damage caused by the disease.
Can gonorrhea go away on its own?
How is Gonorrhea Treated? Even though gonorrhea is highly treatable, it will not go away without medication. Gonorrhea cannot be cured without medication. Someone who has gonorrhea will be prescribed antibiotic medication.
29 related questions foundDoes gonorrhea have a smell?
Gonorrhea discharge can have an unpleasant, foul smell.
Does gonorrhea make you pee a lot?
Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are STDs that most commonly cause frequent urination. These are among the most common STDs diagnosed in the United States.
What is worse chlamydia or gonorrhea?
Some complications of these STIs can happen to anyone. Others are unique to each sex due to differences in sexual anatomy. Gonorrhea has more severe possible complications and is more likely to cause long-term problems like infertility.
How long does gonorrhea take to heal?
It's sometimes possible to have an antibiotic tablet instead of an injection, if you prefer. If you have any symptoms of gonorrhoea, these will usually improve within a few days, although it may take up to 2 weeks for any pain in your pelvis or testicles to disappear completely.
What are four signs symptoms of gonorrhea?
Symptoms of gonorrhea
- greater frequency or urgency of urination.
- a pus-like discharge or drip from your penis (this discharge could be yellow, white, beige, or greenish)
- discoloration and swelling at the penis opening.
- testicular swelling or pain.
- itching and soreness in your anus.
- rectal bleeding or discharge.
How does gonorrhea feel?
Men may notice painful urination, pain in the testicles, and/or pus-like discharge from the penis. Women may notice painful urination, vaginal discharge, or itching. Gonorrhea can also affect the rectum leading to pain with bowel movements, rectal discharge, or constipation.
How do you know if a guy has gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea symptoms in men can include:
- Burning when you pee.
- The urge to pee more than usual.
- Pus or white, yellow, or green discharge coming from your penis.
- Swelling or discoloration at the opening of your penis.
- Pain and/or swelling in one or both of your testicles.
Is gonorrhea a toilet infection?
Things to know about gonorrhea in women
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted during sexual activity. Gonorrhea is not transmitted from toilet seats. Women infected with gonorrhea may not have any symptoms.
Can gonorrhea make you feel sick?
Flu-Like Symptoms: Fatigue, Fever, Nausea, Vomiting, or Headaches. Fatigue is a symptom of a late-stage chlamydial or gonorrheal infection.
How long can you have gonorrhea without knowing?
How soon do symptoms appear? In males, symptoms usually appear two to seven days after infection but it can take as long as 30 days for symptoms to begin. Often, there are no symptoms for people infected with gonorrhea; 10 to 15 percent of men and about 80 percent of women may have no symptoms.
How can I have gonorrhea and my partner doesn t?
Using condoms for oral, anal or vaginal sex. Condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea and chlamydia. Use a condom or latex barrier for oral sex on a vagina or anus. Using a receptive condom, a polyurethane pouch that is inserted into the vagina or anus.
What is best treatment for gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea can be cured with the right treatment. CDC recommends a single dose of 500 mg of intramuscular ceftriaxone. Alternative regimens are available when ceftriaxone cannot be used to treat urogenital or rectal gonorrhea.
Why is gonorrhea called the clap?
Some etymologists believe that the term is based on an old-archaic English word “clappan” which means “beating or throbbing”. This can be used to define the symptoms caused by gonorrhea, like painful urination and the swelling of the penis or vagina.
Does gonorrhea turn into chlamydia?
No, chlamydia on it's own cannot turn into gonorrhea as they are caused by two different bacteria. It does happen that people contract and carry both chlamydia and gonorrhea bacteria, so you can have them at the same time.
What STD requires a shot and pills?
How is it treated? Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, usually an injection in combination with pills.
What is the most common first symptom of gonorrhea?
The first gonorrhea symptoms generally appear within 10 days after exposure.
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Gonorrhea symptoms
- Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina.
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods.
- Painful, swollen testicles.
- Painful bowel movements.
- Anal itching.
Does gonorrhea cause sores?
Gonorrhea is another common STD that has some symptoms similar to genital herpes. Herpes and gonorrhea can both cause sores in the genital area, skin rash, and burning pain when urinating.
What antibiotics treat gonorrhea?
Adults with gonorrhea are treated with antibiotics. Due to emerging strains of drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that uncomplicated gonorrhea be treated with the antibiotic ceftriaxone — given as an injection — with oral azithromycin (Zithromax).
Does gonorrhea make your back hurt?
Most women with gonorrhea experience no symptoms. When present, symptoms can include discharge and pelvic pain, which may radiate to the lower back.
Does gonorrhea make you bleed?
If you are a woman, gonorrhea can cause vaginal discharge that has no smell. You may have vaginal bleeding and pain, especially during and after sex. If the infection spreads, you may have stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, chills, and sweats.