Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection in Eeyou Istchee. Individuals aged 15 to 34 years old, who are sexually active, are at greater risk of infection. Testing is easy! Treatment is available!
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection cased by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhea. It can be contracted through unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected person. Sharing sex toys can also transmit the infection. Gonorrhea can also be transmitted from an infected mother to child during childbirth.
Who is at greater risk of getting gonorrhea?
Anyone who is sexually active can become infected with gonorrhea, if they have unprotected sex with an infected person.
Youths aged 15 to 34 are most-often diagnosed with gonorrhea.
What are the symptoms?
Most women do not develop any symptoms of gonorrhea, but 8 out of 10 men will have signs and develop symptoms.
Women
In genital infections, these symptoms may include:
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Discomfort, pain, or a burning sensation when urinating.
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Vaginal bleeding after intercourse or between menstrual periods.
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Vaginal discharge.
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Pain in the abdomen area or in the lower back.
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Pain during intercourse.
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Pain, itching, bleeding, and/or mucus discharge of the rectum.
Men
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Itchy urethra.
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Discomfort, pain, or a burning sensation when urinating.
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Thick, yellowish-green discharge from the penis.
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Testicular pain or swelling.
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Pain, itching, bleeding, and/or mucus discharge of the rectum.
How can I prevent gonorrhea?
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PROTECTION IS KEY
Use a condom (vaginal, anal, and oral penetration) or a dental dam (cunnilingus or anulingus). -
MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
Talk to your partner(s) about their STI status. If you have a new partner, get tested together. -
EARLY & REGULAR SCREENING ALLOWS FOR EARLY DETECTION
If you are sexually active, get tested every 3 to 6 months.
Gonorrhea can also infect the eyes and the throat
If you experience:
- bloodshot eyes
- itchiness
- discharges
- crusting of lashes
- swollen eyelids
- decreased vision
Seek medical attention without delay.
Throat infections are do not usually have symptoms but can cause localised pain.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, make an appointment to get tested at your local CMC (clinic).
Regular testing is recommended
Did you know?
The rate of infection has been on the rise since the year 2000, in both men and women.
While usually an infection without symptoms in women, 8 out of 10 men infected with gonorrhea will experience symptoms. Regardless of your gender, regular screening is recommended.
Gonorrhea: Frequently Asked Questions
In women, untreated gonoccocic infections can spread to the cervix, the uterus and the Fallopian tubes causing a pelvic inflammatory disease. This can leave a woman with chronic abdominal pain.
An untreated infection can also cause damage to woman reproductive organs: scar tissues can develop in the uterus and in the Fallopian tubes, leading to an increase risk of ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies occur when the fetus develops outside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are not viable and represent a life-threatening condition requiring a medical evacuation and the removal of the Fallopian tube (and the fetus). A woman capacity to become pregnant is thus severely compromised and reduced by half.
Pregnant women with untreated gonoccocic infections may have miscarriages and preterm births.
In men, if left untreated, gonorrhea may spread to the testicles and cause scrotal inflammation. Gonorrhea is the second cause of epididymitis in sexually active men below the age of 35. Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis that can lead to testicular damage and reduced fertility.
Testing is done via urine sample or swab of the infected area. Testing is easy and available at your local CMC (clinic).
Gonorrhea is treated with a combination of injectable and oral antibiotics.
RELATED TO SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED AND BLOOD BORNE INFECTIONS (STBBI)
Anyone who is sexually active can become infected with a sexually transmitted infection.
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in Eeyou Istchee.
Syphilis is a contagious bacterial infection that is mostly transmitted through sexual contact.
