How do I know I have gonorrhoea as a woman: Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It’s caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoea. It tends to target warm, moist areas of the body, including the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder), eyes throat, penis and anus. Gonorrheas can be transmitted from person to person through oral, anal, or vaginal sex without a condom or other barrier method. The best protections against transmission are abstinence and proper condom or barrier method usage. Many people with a vagina don’t develop any overt symptoms of gonorrhoea. When they do develop symptoms, they tend to be mild or similar to other diagnoses, making them more difficult to identify. Gonorrhoea symptoms can appear much like common vaginal yeast or bacterial infections.
Symptoms of gonorrhoea in females and those with vagina
- Discharge from the vagina (watery, creamy, or slightly green)
- Pain or burning sensation while urinating
- Urge to urinate more frequently
- Heavier periods or spotting
- Sore throat
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Sharp pain in the lower abdomen
- Fever
Gonorrhoea infection in your rectum, or rear end, may cause:
- Bleeding
- Discharge
- Itching
- Pain when you poop
- Soreness
Gonorrhoea complications in females
If you don’t get treatment, gonorrhoea can cause serious and long-lasting problems, including; increased chance of getting HIV, infection in other parts of your body like your skin or joints and infertility.
Prevention of gonorrhoea
The safest way to prevent gonorrhoea or other STIs is through abstinence. If you do engage in sexual activities, always use a condom or other barrier method. It’s important to be open with your sexual partners, get regular testing, and find out if they’ve been tested. If your partner is showing any symptoms, avoid any sexual contact. Ask them to seek medical attention to rule out any possible conditions that could be passed on. You’re at a higher risk for acquiring gonorrhoea if you’ve already had it or any other STIs. You’re also at a higher risk if you have multiple sexual partners or a new partner. Limit your number of sex partners because being in a monogamous relationship in which neither partner has sex with anyone else can lower your risk and be sure you and your partner are tested for sexually transmitted infections. Before you have sex, get tested and share your results with each other.
Consider regular gonorrhoea screening. Annual screening is recommended for sexually active women younger than 25 and for older women at increased risk of infection. This includes women who have a new sex partner, more than one sex partner, a sex partner with other partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection.
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