Gonorrhoea Symptoms - Free and Clear - Free Gonorrhoea Tests for People in Lincolnshire

Gonorrhoea

What is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted.
The majority of men with a gonorrhoea infection DO have symptoms, whereas half of women DON’T have symptoms.
Bacteria can live inside the cells of the cervix, urethra, rectum, throat and eyes, the infection can be passed on through vaginal, anal or oral sex.
It is possible for a pregnant woman to pass gonorrhoea on to her baby during childbirth.

Some people who have gonorrhoea don't know they've got it! Have You? - 'Be Free and Clear'.

Should I get tested for Gonorrhoea?

The answer is yes!

If you have ever been sexually active
Even if you don't think you have it

You can get a free, confidential test from the Lincolnshire Free and Clear test service. You do not have to see a doctor or nurse to have the test if you do not want to-you can take the test yourself. If there is nowhere close to you that offers testing, you can ring and we will send you a testing pack. You can also request a testing kit on this website. All you have to do once you have done your test is pop it in the post in the envelope supplied; it's as simple as that.

Testing Information

Gonorrhoea can usually be detected around 10 days – two weeks after being contracted. The test is normally a urine test for a male and a swab from the vagina for a female (this can often be self-taken if preferred). If detected it is usual to be offered swab tests from all sites that may have been infected e.g. throat swab, penile (urethral) swab, rectal swab, cervical swab.

If you attend clinic with symptoms, it is often possible to detect the gonorrhoea infection from a microscope test done there and then. This allows for immediate treatment.

Tests taken within a sexual health clinic are treated confidentially, a unique clinic number being issued and used in place of a name for each person attending. Results can be accessed in whichever way is most convenient, whether this is via text, email, telephone, mail, phoning into clinic or via another person (e.g. school nurse, friend).

Gonorrhoea Signs & Symptoms

Gonorrhoea symptoms can vary betweenn men and women.

In Men
In Women

In men symptoms are most likely to occur within two weeks of contracting (catching) the infection. These include:

Burning when going for a wee
Discharge from the penis – this may take the form of ‘crusting’ when waking in the morning which can lead to weeing in different directions!
Pain and/or swelling of the testicles

In women symptoms (if they are present) include:

Bleeding after sex
Pain/discomfort during sex
Pelvic (tummy) pain
Extra discharge (especially if this is an unusual colour)

Gonorrhoea Treatment

Gonorrhoea is curable and easy to treat with antibiotics once detected; this is usually a one off (single) dose of medication. Antibiotic treatment from a sexual health clinic is given free of charge, usually without the need to go to a pharmacy (chemist). Partners should attend for treatment too.

You will be advised not have sex for a while after you have had treatment. Gonorrhoea can (and should) be treated when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

A follow up test to ensure the infection has been adequately treated should always be done two weeks after treatment, although this may be earlier if someone still has symptoms. It is very important if you are pregnant, or under 25 years old. Having gonorrhoea diagnosed and treated once will not prevent you from catching it again.

What if I don't treat it?

If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to long-term problems. This will not happen to everyone with gonorrhoea.

In men gonorrhoea can lead to:

Infection in the testicles with potential reduced fertility
Infection in the prostate

In women gonorrhoea can lead to:

PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) which is where the infection has spread to the other reproductive organs. This can lead to long term pain, infertility and pregnancy inside the fallopian tube (ectopic).
Miscarriage