Gonorrhea: Symptoms, Testing & Treatment

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is easy to treat, but if left untreated it can cause serious health problems.

How You Get It

Sexual Contact: Through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person, even without ejaculation.
Childbirth: A mother can pass it to her baby during delivery.
Good to Know: You can’t get gonorrhea from hugging, toilet seats, or sharing food.

Symptoms

Many people have no symptoms but can still pass it on. When symptoms appear, it is usually within 2–14 days.

Area	Key Symptoms
Men	Burning when peeing, white, yellow, or green discharge, sometimes painful or swollen testicles.
Women	Burning when peeing, unusual discharge, bleeding between periods or after sex, lower belly pain.
Rectum	Itching, soreness, bleeding, or pain when passing stool.
Throat	Usually no symptoms, sometimes a sore throat.

Testing

Urine Test: The most common option. Quick and simple.
Swab Test: From the throat, rectum, cervix, or urethra, depending on the type of sex you’ve had.
Test Together: Gonorrhea and chlamydia often occur together, so they are usually tested at the same time.

Treatment

Antibiotics: Gonorrhea is cured with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
Don’t Self-Treat: Gonorrhea is becoming resistant to many drugs, so antibiotics bought at a pharmacy may not work.
Treat Partners Too: Your partner(s) should be tested and treated. Avoid sex until you both finish treatment.
Retest: Get tested again about 3 months later to make sure you haven’t been reinfected.

If It’s Not Treated

Women: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
Men: Painful swelling of the testicles, and rarely infertility.

Prevention

Use Condoms: Every time, for vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Get Tested Regularly: Especially with new or multiple partners.
Talk Openly: Discuss STI testing with partners before sex.

Gonorrhea Testing in Pattaya

Worried about symptoms or a recent exposure? Visit Pattaya MedCare Clinic in Naklua for private, confidential STI testing and treatment with an experienced doctor. Open 7 days a week. Gonorrhea & Chlamydia PCR test: 1,900 THB.