Symptoms of gonorrhoea usually appear between two and ten days after acquiring the bacteria.

Symptoms differ in both men and women and also depend on where the infection is. It should be noted however that some people have no symptoms at all, risking its spread from person to person before it is diagnosed and if unrecognized and left untreated, may lead to complications. 

Both men and women can develop infection of the throat, urethra (where urine exits), and rectum. Infection of the throat or mouth can cause a sore throat. In women, infection can also occur in the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Infection in men can affect the prostate and the epididymis (a tube that connects the testicle to a vas deferens or the duct that transports sperm in the male reproductive system). 

For women, symptoms can include:

• Vaginal itching
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Pain of burning during urination
• Rectal discharge or constipation
• Pain with bowel movements 
• Sore throat

For men, symptoms can include:

• Pain with urination
• A milky discharge from the penis 
• Pain and swelling in one testicle
• Rectal discharge or constipation
• Pain with bowel movements 
• Sore throat 

If gonorrhoea is left untreated, serious complications can occur in both men and women.

They include:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if the infection spreads from the cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes in women. As a consequence, the fallopian tubes can scar and lead to infertility and can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that develops in the fallopian tube).
• Men can develop epididymitis which can lead to infertility.
• Both men and women can develop bloodstream infection from gonorrhoea, causing infection in the joints, called arthritis. Rarely, conjunctivitis, bone infection (osteomyelitis), meningitis and infection involving the heart valves (endocarditis) can occur as a result of gonorrhoea bloodstream infection. 
• Infants born to untreated mothers can develop conjunctivitis (infection of the eyes)

There are several ways to prevent infection with gonorrhoea. These include:

• Proper and consistent use of condoms. 
• Abstaining from sex if you or your sexual partner has abnormal discharge or burning with urination.

If you think you may be at risk of being  infected or you suspect that you have been infected with Gonorrhoea, you may wish to visit any of our DTAP clinics to speak to our friendly doctors for further advice.