Gonorrhoea
How Do You Get It?
Gonorrhoea is a common bacterial STI, passed on during vaginal, oral, or anal sex without a condom.
You can’t catch it from kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, swimming pools, toilet seats, or cutlery.
You can’t catch it from kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, swimming pools, toilet seats, or cutlery.
What Are The Signs?
Many people don’t notice any symptoms.
If you have a vagina, you might notice more discharge (sometimes yellow or green), tummy pain, or pain when weeing.
If you have a penis, you might feel pain or tingling when weeing, discharge from the penis, or pain in the testicles.
Sometimes gonorrhoea can affect the eyes, causing redness or pain — if this happens, get checked quickly.
If you have a vagina, you might notice more discharge (sometimes yellow or green), tummy pain, or pain when weeing.
If you have a penis, you might feel pain or tingling when weeing, discharge from the penis, or pain in the testicles.
Sometimes gonorrhoea can affect the eyes, causing redness or pain — if this happens, get checked quickly.
How Do I Test?
If you don’t have symptoms, test two weeks after sex. If you do have symptoms, test sooner.
Testing is easy — it’s a swab from the vagina, bum, or throat, or a urine sample if you have a penis.
You can usually take the swab yourself.
If you need to book a test, get in touch.
Testing is easy — it’s a swab from the vagina, bum, or throat, or a urine sample if you have a penis.
You can usually take the swab yourself.
If you need to book a test, get in touch.
What's the Treatment?
Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics — usually a single injection in your bottom.
You should avoid sex for one week after treatment and until all regular partners have been tested and treated.
You should avoid sex for one week after treatment and until all regular partners have been tested and treated.
Should I Tell My Sexual Partners?
Yes — it’s important to let recent partners know so they can get tested and treated too.
Our nurses and doctors can help you figure out who to tell, and can even contact them for you if you prefer.
Avoid sex with regular partners until you’ve both finished treatment — otherwise you could pass it back and forth.
Our nurses and doctors can help you figure out who to tell, and can even contact them for you if you prefer.
Avoid sex with regular partners until you’ve both finished treatment — otherwise you could pass it back and forth.
Find out more about Gonorrhoea on the NHS Website.
We'll soon be offering the new gonorrhoea vaccine to eligible groups. Get in touch to find out more.