Not everyone gets symptoms of gonorrhoea. So it's important to get tested if you think you might have it.
If you do get symptoms, they usually start around 2 weeks after infection, although they sometimes do not appear until many months later.
Symptoms if you have a vagina
- a yellow or greenish discharge from your vagina
- burning pain when you pee
- pain in your lower abdomen
- bleeding between your periods (this is rare)
Symptoms if you have a penis
- burning pain when you pee
- fluid or discharge coming out of your penis
- sore testicles
Gonorrhoea can also affect other parts of your body that come into contact with semen or vaginal fluid.
- pain, itching and discharge from your anus (bottom)
- a sore throat
- eye redness, pain and discharge
Testing and Treatment
Testing for Gonorrhoea is via a urine sample or vaginal swab. You may also have a throat swab or anal swab, depending on your symptoms. If you have Gonorrhoea, you'll be offered antibiotics to treat it. Some strains of gonorrhoea are becoming resistant to antibiotics. This can make it more difficult to treat. You may be tested again 3 weeks later to check the antibiotics have worked.
