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gonorrhea T h e F a c T s 
P r o t e c t Y o u r s e l f + P r o t e c t Y o u r P a r t n e r

THe facTs

•	 Gonorrhea	(gon	a	REE	a)	is	a	sexually	transmitted	disease	(STD).

•	 Anyone	who	is	sexually	active	can	get	gonorrhea.	It	is	more	

common	among	teens	and	young	adults.

•	 Many	people	who	have	gonorrhea	don’t	know	it.	Especially	in	

women,	the	disease	often	has	no	symptoms.

•	 You	can	pass	gonorrhea	to	others	without	knowing	it.

•	 Gonorrhea	is	easy	to	treat	and	cure.

•	 If	you	do	not	treat	gonorrhea,	it	can	lead	to	serious	health	

problems.
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How can I lower my rIsk for gonorrHea?

•	 The	surest way	to	prevent	gonorrhea	is	not	to	have	sex	or	

to	have	sex	only	with	someone	who’s	not	infected	and	who	

has	sex	only	with	you.

•	 Condoms	can	reduce	your	risk	of	getting	gonorrhea	if	used	

the	right	way	every	single	time	you	have	sex.

•	 Washing	the	genitals,	urinating,	or	douching	after	sex	will	

not	prevent	any	STD.

How does someone get gonorrhea?

You can get gonorrhea by having sex with 

someone who has it. “Having sex” means 

having anal, oral, or vaginal contact.

If you are a pregnant woman who has gonorrhea

you can pass the infection to your baby.

, 
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

If you are a Woman If you are a man

You can get gonorrhea in the anus, You can get gonorrhea in the anus, 

eyes, mouth, throat, urinary tract, eyes, mouth, penis, or throat. You 

or uterus. You may not notice any may not notice any symptoms. If 

symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you do have symptoms, they will 

they will vary depending on what vary depending on what part of 

part of your body is infected. your body is infected. 

If you have gonorrhea in the uterus If you have gonorrhea in the penis, 

or urinary tract, you might notice you might notice these symptoms:

these symptoms: • P ain or burning when you 

• Vaginal bleeding between pass urine. 

your periods. • A discharge from your penis. 

• Pain or burning when you • Painful or swollen testicles.

pass urine. If you have gonorrhea in the • Increased vaginal discharge. rectum, you might notice:

If you have gonorrhea in the rectum, Itching, soreness, bleeding, 

you might notice these symptoms: a discharge from your rectum, 

Itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements.

a discharge from your rectum, If you have gonorrhea in the or painful bowel movements. throat, you might notice that 

If you have gonorrhea in the your throat is sore.

throat, you might notice that 

your throat is sore.
When should I be tested?

If you are a Woman

You should be tested for gonorrhea 

if you have:

• Any symptoms, like pain or 

burning when you pass urine 

or vaginal discharge.

• A partner who has gonorrhea 

or symptoms that might 

be gonorrhea.

• Another STD, such as chlamydia.

If you’re pregnant, ask the doctor if 

you should be tested for gonorrhea.

If you are a man

You should be tested for gonorrhea 

if you have:

• A discharge from your penis. You 

may also feel pain inside your penis.

• Pain or burning when you 

pass urine.

• Itching, soreness, bleeding, or 

rectal discharge, if you have 

receptive anal intercourse.

• A partner that has gonorrhea 

or symptoms that might be 

gonorrhea.

• Another STD, such as chlamydia.

How can I find out if I have gonorrhea?

Ask a doctor to give you a test for gonorrhea.
How is gonorrhea treated?

• Gonorrhea can be treated and cured with antibiotics.

• Finish all of the medicine to be sure you are cured.

• Don’t share your medicine with anyone. You need all of it.

• If you still have symptoms after treatment, go back to see the doctor.

Can I get gonorrhea again after I’ve been treated?

Yes, you can get gonorrhea again. You can get it from an 

untreated partner or a new partner.

If I have gonorrhea, what does that mean for my partner?

• Your partner may have gonorrhea, too.

• Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they can get tested and 

treated.

• Avoid having sex until you’ve both finished your treatment, so you 

don’t re-infect each other.
What happens if I don’t get treated?

Gonorrhea stays in your body if it is not treated. You may have a higher 

risk of getting HIV infection if you have unprotected sex with a partner 

living with HIV. Gonorrhea can also spread to the blood or joints. This 

condition can be very serious.

If you are a Woman

• Gonorrhea can spread into 

the uterus or fallopian tubes 

and cause pelvic inflammatory 

disease (PID), a serious 

infection that happens when 

gonorrhea spreads to the 

reproductive organs. 

• PID can also cause damage 

that makes you unable to get 

pregnant.

• Untreated gonorrhea may cause 

chronic pain in your pelvic area.

• If you have untreated 

gonorrhea, you could pass the 

infection to your baby when 

giving birth. Gonorrhea can 

cause serious health problems 

for babies.

If you are a man

• You may develop a painful 

condition in the testicles. In 

rare cases, this may prevent 

you from fathering children.
a message for everyone

ProteCt yourself and your Partner.

Always see a doctor if your partner is being treated for gonorrhea. 

Also see the doctor if you or your sex partner notice any symptoms, 

such as an unusual discharge.

If you have gonorrhea, you should be tested for other STDs. Be sure 

to tell your recent sex partners, so they can get tested too. Talk openly 

and honestly with your partner about gonorrhea and other STDs.

for more information

• Talk with your doctor.

• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO. 

• Visit www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea.