In a pregnant woman, untreated syphilis can cause birth defects and even death to her unborn baby. It is very important for pregnant women to have a blood test for syphilis as soon as they know they are pregnant. Top of Page Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is caused by bacteria spread from one infected person to another during sex. It can attack the urethra in a man's penis, the cervix in a woman's vagina, and the rectum and throat. Women often have no symptoms at all and may not know they are infected unless the disease is found during an examination.
Untreated gonorrhea can cause sterility in both women and men.
Symptoms of this infection in women are mild but, when present, usually include a vaginal discharge. Untreated chlamydia can cause pain, fever, miscarriage and infertility in women. Infants born to women with chlamydia can develop eye infections and pneumonia. NGU is an infection that may cause burning upon urination and discharge from the penis. It is not caused by gonorrhea, even though the symptoms are similar.