Gonorrhoea is one of the fastest-growing STDs in the UK

What is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection, which can be tested as part of your STD screen. Gonorrhoea can be spread by vaginal, oral, or anal contact. If you get gonorrhoea, there is an increased risk of getting other STDs, including HIV, you should take an STD test regularly if you think you are exposed. Gonorrhoea is one of the fastest-growing STDs in the UK and like Chlamydia, may present no symptoms. It can be a major cause of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and infertility in women. In men, it can cause inflammation of the testicles and prostate.

How is Gonorrhoea treated?

Gonorrhoea is curable and can be treated with a course of antibiotics if detected. You can receive a prescription from any of the Better2Know clinics. Gonorrhoea is one of the most important preventable causes of infertility and is one of the most common STDs. Most women infected with gonorrhoea have no symptoms. If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to PID which can lead to infertility and potentially fatal tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. Women who have gonorrhoea during pregnancy tend to have higher rates of miscarriage, infection of the amniotic sac and fluid, preterm birth, and Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM). Gonorrhoea can be transmitted from mother to child during birth and newborn children can develop gonorrhoea most commonly in the eyes and may eventually go blind if left untreated. Men with a history of gonorrhoea are more likely to develop prostate cancer.