Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

Gonorrhoea symptoms, effects and how it's caught

Symptoms of gonorrhoea

Some people, particularly women with gonorrhoea, do not have any symptoms. This means that infection can often go untreated for some time.

If you do notice the symptoms of gonorrhoea, they will usually show up between 1 to 14 days after coming into contact with the infection. In most cases, it is easier for men to recognise gonorrhoea than women and it is usually seen within a week.

Men with gonorrhoea will notice lots of green or yellow fluid coming out of the penis. This is sometimes accompanied by pain or a burning sensation when peeing or a rash on the head of the penis. There may also be some discomfort and swelling of the testicles.

About 3 in 4 women do not have any obvious symptoms of gonorrhoea. Symptoms may take slightly longer to appear than in men. There can be increased discharge from the vagina, pain in the abdomen, or pain when peeing. Sometimes women may experience bleeding in between periods, after sex, or have irregular or heavy periods.

Gonorrhoea can also infect other areas, for example, the throat or anus (bottom). Infections in these areas are less likely to be noticed.

If you think you or your partner may have gonorrhoea, it's important you arrange to get tested.

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When will gonorrhoea symptoms show up?

If you do notice the signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea, they will usually show up between 1 to 14 days after coming into contact with the infection.

In most cases it is easier for men to recognise gonorrhoea than women and it is usually seen within a week.

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How is gonorrhoea caught?

You can catch gonorrhoea by having unprotected vaginal or anal sex, oral sex or by sharing sex toys. Gonorrhoea is not caught by kissing, even if one partner has the infection in his or her throat.

You or your partner could have picked up the infection from a previous partner without even knowing it. The greater the number of sexual partners you have, the greater the risk of infection.

Gonorrhoea can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. This usually causes an eye infection (conjunctivitis).

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What health problems does gonorrhoea cause?

If gonorrhoea remains untreated, there is a risk of passing the infection on to others. You are also at risk of serious complications.

For men, untreated gonorrhoea may lead to infection in the scrotum (the pouch of skin that holds the testicles), causing pain and swelling, and in some cases infertility.

Some women who have untreated gonorrhoea may develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), and in some serious cases infection can result in ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

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Gonorrhoea and pregnancy

If you have gonorrhoea there is an increased risk of an ‘ectopic’ pregnancy (where the baby begins to grow outside the womb).

If you have a gonorrhoea infection during pregnancy it can result in giving birth to the baby early (premature birth).

Read more about sexual health and pregnancy

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How to avoid gonorrhoea infection

The best way to prevent all sexually transmitted infections including gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV, is to practise safer sex.

This means using a condom for vaginal or anal sex and a dam or condom for oral sex.

Read more about better, safer sex

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