Gonorrhoea

What is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It usually affects the genital area, although the throat or anus (rectum) may also be affected.

Gonorrhoea affects men and women and is easily transmitted during vaginal sex. It can also be transmitted during anal or oral sex.

Gonococcal conjunctivitis (red, sore eyes) can occur in babies who have had contact with the mother’s infected birth canal during childbirth. It may cause vision loss if not rapidly and adequately treated.

Who is at risk of gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a common STI. It can affect anyone who has unprotected sex (without condoms) with someone who has the infection.

Some people who are at increased risk of gonorrhoea include:

• Men who have sex with men.
• Female partners of men who have sex with men.
• Heterosexual men and women – particularly if they have multiple sexual partners, are travellers returning from countries where gonorrhoea is prevalent, or inject drugs.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Sex workers.
• Anyone diagnosed with an STI (such as HIV, syphilis and chlamydia).

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

The symptoms of gonorrhoea are slightly different in men and women.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in women

Often, women with gonorrhoea experience no symptoms. This can lead to gonorrhoea going undetected for longer in women if they are not tested regularly.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in women may include:

• unusual vaginal discharge
• pain while urinating
• pain during sex.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in men

Gonorrhoea commonly infects the inside of the penis (the urethra).

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in men may include:

• Burning sensation while urinating.
• White or yellow pus-like discharge from the penis (may be observed in underwear).
• Swelling and pain in the testicles – which can occur if the gonorrhoea infection goes untreated.

In a small percentage of men there are no symptoms at all.

Symptoms of oral and anal gonorrhoea

In both men and women:

• Anal gonorrhoea often occurs without signs or symptoms.
• Gonorrhoea in the throat may cause a sore throat – however, it usually occurs without symptoms.

Gonorrhoea can cause infertility in women

If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women, which can cause infertility. Symptoms of PID include:

• lower abdominal pain and tenderness
• deep pain during sexual intercourse
• heavy and painful periods
• fever.

Women who have had PID need to be especially careful about gonorrhoea and chlamydia. The risk of infertility increases with each bout of inflammation, especially if left untreated for long periods.

How often should I get checked for gonorrhoea?

Sexual health check-ups are recommended for anyone who is sexually active. If you are sexually active, get a full sexual health check (including tests for syphilis, HIV, gonorrhoea and chlamydia) at least once a year.

The frequency of these checks depends on your STI risk:

• Men who have sex with men, and have more than 1 partner – should get checked every 3 to 6 months.
• A man who has sex with another man (has 1 partner) – get checked once a year.
• Sexually active women who have new sexual partners or feel they are at risk of STI (because gonorrhoea may not cause symptoms until PID has already developed).

How is gonorrhoea diagnosed?

Having a regular sexual health check-up with your local GP (doctor) or sexual health centre can detect gonorrhoea. The doctor or nurse will ask you for a:

• urine sample (peeing in a small jar)
• swab test – from the urethra, cervix, anus or throat.

Getting your gonorrhoea test results

Test results are normally available within a week.

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Gonorrhoea is treated effectively with antibiotics.

Symptoms resolve quickly – usually within a week. Tell your doctor or nurse if you still have symptoms.

Avoid having any type of sex (not even with condoms or internal protection such as dams) until treatment is finished.

Some strains of gonorrhoea are now resistant to many antibiotics.

Your GP (doctor) will know what antibiotic to prescribe based on the current treatment guidelines.

Tell your GP if you have been travelling overseas because many of the new resistant strains have originated outside Australia.

Can you get reinfected with gonorrhoea?

Having gonorrhoea once does not protect you from getting it again. Even after you’ve been successfully treated, you can still be reinfected by having sex with a partner who has gonorrhoea.

Letting partners know you have gonorrhoea

It is important to let your sexual partner or partners know that you have gonorrhoea. Most people will appreciate being told they may have an infection and it is an important step in preventing further infection in the community. If your partner is treated it will also prevent you from getting the infection again.

You do not have to do this alone. Your (GP) doctor, sexual health centre or the Department of Health Partner Notification Officers can help you through this process and ensure your identity is not revealed.

This publication outlines the role of Partner Notification Officers (PNOs) who work in the Office of the Chief Health Officer of the Department of Health:

You can also anonymously notify your sexual partners of the need to get tested and treated for gonorrhoea via the Let Them Know website if you feel unable to speak to them personally.

There are also nurses (called partner notification officers) who can help you anonymously notify your partners. They can be contacted on (03) 9096 3367.

Reducing gonorrhoea transmission

Ways you can reduce your risk of catching gonorrhoea include:

• Always have safe sex – use condoms and water-based lubricant (lube) for all types of sex. Female, (or internal) condoms can also be used for vaginal or anal sex.
• If you are sexually active, get a full sexual health check (including tests for syphilis, HIV and chlamydia) at least once a year.
• If you are at greater risk of STIs, get tested regularly. Men who have sex with men should get a syphilis test and tests for other STIs at least yearly, and up to 4 times a year if you have several partners.
• Remember, gonorrhoea may be spread through unprotected oral sex.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Your school nurse or school welfare coordinator
• Some secondary schools provide access to an adolescent health trained GP on site
• Your local community health service
• Sexual Health Victoria (SHV). To book an appointment call SHV Melbourne CBD Clinic: (03) 9660 4700 or call SHV Box Hill Clinic: (03) 9257 0100 or (free call): 1800 013 952. These services are youth friendly.
• Melbourne Sexual Health Centre Tel. (03) 9341 6200 or 1800 032 017 or TTY (for the hearing impaired) (03) 9347 8619
• Victorian Sexual Health Network – where to get tested – visit Melbourne Sexual Health Centre's GP partner clinics for STI check-ups and treatment
• Thorne Harbour Health (formerly Victorian AIDS Council) Tel. (03) 9865 6700 or 1800 134 840
• Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre Tel. (03) 9416 2889
• PRONTO! Tel. (03) 9416 2889
• Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health Clinic Tel. (03) 5338 4500
• Bendigo Community Health Sexual Health Clinic Tel. (03) 5434 4300 Or (03) 5448 1600
• Gateway Health Clinic 35, Wodonga Tel. (02) 6022 8888 or 1800657 573
• Sunraysia Community Health Services Tel. (03) 5022 5444
• Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic Tel. (03) 5226 7489
• 1800MyOptions Tel. 1800 696784 is a statewide phone service for information about sexual health as well as contraception and pregnancy options
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Tel. (03) 9419 3000.