Gonorrhoea

Real talk

Gonorrhoea is a common bacterial infection that you can get from any kind of sex. Like many STIs, gonorrhoea is easily treated with a course of antibiotics.

What is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea (also known colloquially as ‘the clap’) is a bacterial STI. It can be passed through bodily fluids during sex, whether that’s anal, oral or vaginal sex.

Gonorrhoea is completely curable with antibiotics, but if left untreated, infections can cause serious long-term issues, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), epididymitis (a scrotal infection), chronic prostatitis, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

Untreated gonorrhoea can also spread to other body parts, including the uterus and vagina which can cause further health complications, as well as increase the risk of HIV and other STIs.

How do you get it?

Gonorrhoea is easily passed during any kind of sex where one person’s sexual fluids enter another person’s genitals, anus, throat or eyes. This can happen during penetrative sex with fingers, sex toys, or a penis.

It’s also possible to pass gonorrhoea through oral sex on the vulva, penis or around the anus. Gonorrhoea can also enter the eyes from face sitting, cum shots on the face, or touching your face after sex.

What are the symptoms?

Gonorrhoea doesn’t always have obvious symptoms. If symptoms do come up, they appear differently depending on where you have the infection:

• Vagina: Unusual discharge, pain when peeing, pain or bleeding during penetration, or bleeding between periods.
• Penis and balls: Yellowish discharge, irritation or itching at the opening of the penis, pain when peeing, or pain and swelling in the balls.
• Anus: Anal discharge, bleeding or pain (at random or during penetration).
• Throat: Sore or burning sensation in the throat, pain when swallowing, or swollen lymph nodes.
• Eyes: Conjunctivitis or inflammation in the eyes.

How is it prevented?

Depending on the kind of sex you’re having, you can use barriers like condoms, dental dams or gloves to prevent the transmission of gonorrhoea.

Make sure to grab a new barrier if you’re changing partners, body parts or sharing a toy in one session. Washing your hands after sex or contact with bodily fluids may also reduce the risk of infection.

How do you test for gonorrhoea?

A routine STI screening includes a gonorrhoea test.

A test for gonorrhoea in the genitals can be done by urine sample or swab. Anal, throat and eye tests are done by swab.

All swab tests can be self-collected when you don’t have any symptoms, which is often the case for gonorrhoea.

Check out our STI testing guide on what to expect at a sexual health check.

How do you get treated?

Gonorrhoea is treated with an antibiotic injection, usually given in the glute (bum cheek), plus oral antibiotic tablets.

Give the antibiotics a full week (seven days) to work before having sex again.

You will need to have test of cure (a repeat swab from your infection site) 2 weeks after your treatment to ensure the gonorrhoea infection has been completely cured. 

If you’re diagnosed with gonorrhoea, don’t forget to let your sexual partners know so they can also get tested and treated if needed. Check out our partner notification section for more information on navigating this part of the process.

When to see a healthcare professional 

A healthcare professional can recommend the tests that are right for your body and your sexual practices. They can provide treatment straight away if you need it, check for any complications, and talk with you about re-testing or letting partners know. Regular checks are a simple way to look after yourself, your partners and your community. 

See a healthcare provider if: 

• you notice any unusual changes or symptoms listed above
• a partner has told you they have an STI
• you have had sex without a barrier (condoms, dams or gloves)
• you are starting a new sexual relationship
• it has been a while since your last sexual health check

Many STIs don’t cause symptoms, which is why routine testing is one of the best ways to stay on top of your sexual health.