gonorrhea

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 can be cured with the 

right treatment.

• If you do not treat gonorrhea, it can 

lead to serious health problems.

PROTECT YOURSELF + PROTECT YOUR PARTNER
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 MAN

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

penis, or throat. You may not notice any symptoms. If 

you do have symptoms, they will vary depending on 

what part of your body is infected.

If you have gonorrhea in the penis, you might notice 

these symptoms:

• Pain or burning when you pass urine.

• A discharge from your penis.

• Painful or swollen testicles.

If you have gonorrhea in the rectum, you might notice: 

Itching, soreness, bleeding, a discharge from your 

rectum, or painful bowel movements.

If you have gonorrhea in the throat, you might notice 

that your throat is sore.

IF YOU ARE A WOMAN 

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

throat, urinary tract, or uterus. You may not notice any 

symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they will vary 

depending on what part of your body is infected.

If you have gonorrhea in the uterus or urinary tract, you 

might notice these symptoms:

• Vaginal bleeding between your periods.

• Pain or burning when you pass urine.

• Increased vaginal discharge.

If you have gonorrhea in the rectum, you might 

notice these symptoms: Itching, soreness, bleeding, 

a discharge from your rectum, or painful bowel 

movements.

If you have gonorrhea in the 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:

• Are younger than 25 and you’re having sex.

• Are 25 and older and you’re having sex with more 

than one partner.

• Are 25 and older and you have a new sex partner.

• Have any symptoms or a partner who has 

gonorrhea or symptoms that might be gonorrhea.

• Have another STD, such as chlamydia.

• If you’re pregnant, ask the doctor if you should be 

tested for gonorrhea.

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.

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.

IF YOU ARE AMAN

You should be tested for gonorrhea if you:

• Have any symptoms or a partner who has 

gonorrhea or symptoms that might be 

gonorrhea.

• Have another STD, such as chlamydia.

• Are sexually active and gay, bisexual, or 

have sex with men, you should be tested for 

gonorrhea every year.

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.
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.

CS263043C

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Talk to your doctor.

• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

• Visit www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas.