Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea affects both men and women and can be caught through sexual activity; it is a bacterial infection which can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum, anus and throat. If gonorrhoea is not treated it can lead to serious health problems.

The symptoms of gonorrhoea are different in men and women.

For women symptoms may include:

• Pain or burning when urinating
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Irritation and/or discharge from the anus

For men symptoms may include:

• A yellow, green or white painful discharge from the penis
• Irritation and/or discharge from the anus
• Inflammation of the testes or prostate gland

Gonorrhoea is best prevented by using condoms for all sexual activity and dams for oral sex; if caught it can be treated and cured with antibiotics. If left undiagnosed or untreated gonorrhoea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis in men.