Gonorrhea: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Need to Know

When you hear Gonorrhea, a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact that affects the genitals, rectum, or throat. Also known as the clap, it’s one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide, and it’s rising fast. Many people don’t know they have it—symptoms can be mild or even absent, especially in women. That’s why it spreads quietly, often unnoticed until complications like infertility or chronic pain show up.

It’s caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and it’s passed during vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who’s infected. You can also pass it to your baby during childbirth. It doesn’t live long outside the body, so you won’t catch it from toilets, towels, or swimming pools. But if you’re sexually active, especially with new or multiple partners, you’re at risk. Gonorrhea often shows up alongside chlamydia, another STI that shares the same transmission routes and can cause similar long-term damage. Doctors test for both at the same time because they frequently occur together.

Early signs in men include burning during urination and a pus-like discharge from the penis. Women might notice unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain—but many feel nothing at all. Rectal infections can cause itching, discharge, or painful bowel movements. Throat infections usually don’t cause symptoms, which makes them easy to miss. The real danger isn’t the discomfort—it’s the long-term damage. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and even increase your risk of getting HIV.

And here’s the growing problem: antibiotic resistance, the ability of gonorrhea bacteria to survive treatment with common antibiotics like azithromycin and ceftriaxone. The CDC now recommends a dual therapy approach because single drugs no longer work reliably. If you’ve been treated before and still have symptoms, you might be dealing with a resistant strain. That’s why getting tested after treatment—and making sure your partner gets treated too—isn’t optional.

Testing is simple: a urine sample or a swab from the affected area. Results come back fast, and treatment is quick if caught early. But the best defense? Prevention. Use condoms consistently. Get tested regularly if you’re sexually active. Talk to your partners about STI history. And don’t ignore symptoms just because they seem minor.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides on gonorrhea testing, treatment options, how to talk to your partner, and what to do if antibiotics don’t work. These aren’t theory pieces—they’re based on real cases, updated guidelines, and experiences from people who’ve been through it. Whether you’re worried about symptoms, need to know how to protect yourself, or are trying to understand why your last treatment failed, there’s something here that can help.

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