As far as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) go, gonorrhoea can be especially sneaky-most women with gonorrhoea don’t show any signs of the infection at all.
And if they do have symptoms of gonorrhoea? They’re often so mild and broad (a little bit of itching, some here-and-there spotting) that they’re easily written off as something less serious, like a yeast infection or UTI.
Gonorrhoea is incredibly common, though. Roughly 23,000 infections popped up in 2016 - a 63% increase over the last five years.
What’s more, the STI has become an “urgent public health threat” because it has developed antibiotic resistance to nearly all of the medication used for its treatment in the past. That means antibiotics that used to do the trick simply can’t kill the same bacteria now. In fact, there is only one class of antibiotics (known as cephalosporins) left as a recommended treatment.
Problem is, when left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease-a condition where bacteria travels up from the cervix and urethra to the uterus and fallopian tubes-which can cause a severe infection and ultimately lead to infertility, says gynaecologist Dr Huma Farid.
So what can you do to protect yourself? Other than preventing the STI in the first place through safe sex practices (always use a condom, people!), there are subtle signs of gonorrhoea to keep your eyes peeled for so you can seek treatment ASAP. If you notice any of the following red flags, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your gynaecologist.
Unusual vaginal discharge
Women who have symptoms with gonorrhoea first tend to complain of a thick, yellow vaginal discharge, says Dr Farid. When gonorrhoea infects the cervix, it causes an inflammatory response that produces the substance, she explains. It’s often accompanied with an itchy feeling, too.
Just note if your vagina is itchy but smells more fishy, that could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis. When in doubt, call your doc to figure out what the issue is.
Putting in a tampon or having sex hurts
Painful sex? Struggling to put a tampon? That could be a sign that your cervix, where the infection can occur, is inflamed, says Dr Farid. If you have gonorrhoea, an gynaecologist’s physical exam with their fingers might hurt, too, she says. “Normally, touching the cervix will not be painful, but in a woman with gonorrhoea, this would be very painful,” she says.
It burns when you pee
An infection from gonorrhoea can also occur in the urethra, the duct that carries urine from the bladder. If you’re infected there, you might notice symptoms when you pee, such as pain, burning, or feeling like you have to go but not being able to (all things you also might notice if you have a urinary tract infection), says Dr Farid.
Bleeding in between periods
When the cervix becomes inflamed, it bleeds easily, explains Farid. That’s why some women with gonorrhoea notice spotting or bleeding in between periods. However, if it’s the only symptom you notice, there are a slew of other things can cause irregular periods-like uterine fibroids, PCOS, or even just stress. Your best bet is to talk to your doc about it to get an accurate diagnosis.
Uncomfortable bowel movements
Yep, gonorrhoea can be transmitted through anal sex, meaning unpleasant symptoms can show up in your anus. This includes discharge, itching, soreness, bleeding, and painful bowel movements, according to the CDC.
How to treat gonorrhoea
To test for gonorrhoea, your doctor will usually take a swab from your vagina or do a urine test. It usually takes about 48 hours to get results.
Then, gonorrhoea is usually treated with either a shot of an antibiotic called ceftriaxone and an oral antibiotic, Azithromycin, Dr. Farid says. It’s important to take all of the medication to ensure the infection is completely cured. Because certain strains of gonorrhoea are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, you should check in with your doc if your symptoms continue to persist following treatment, the CDC says.
As a general rule of them, you shouldn’t have sex for a week after all of your meds have been taken to minimise the risk of spreading gonorrhoea to your partner. He or she should also get tested to make sure you haven’t already passed it on.
Even after it clears up, practice safe sex (always use a condom!) and be vigilant about testing.
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