Gonorrhea

What Is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection passed through sexual contact. It's one of the oldest known STIs and still pretty common. Like chlamydia, it's easily treatable with antibiotics—no drama, straightforward cure. Caught early, it causes no lasting damage.

How Do You Get It?

Gonorrhea spreads through sexual contact—vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the infection. You can also pass it to a baby during birth, but that's rare in modern Ireland. Most people catch it from a partner who may or may not know they have it.

Symptoms

• Thick yellow or greenish discharge from the penis, vagina, or rectum—very distinctive
• Burning or pain when peeing—often intense
• Pain or discomfort during sex
• Lower abdominal pain or pelvic pain
• Sore throat if transmitted through oral sex
• Symptoms typically appear 2-7 days after infection
• Some people have no symptoms at all, especially in early stages

Testing & Diagnosis

Gonorrhea is diagnosed with a urine test or swab from the urethra, cervix, or rectum depending on where exposure occurred. It's quick and straightforward.

Irish clinics offering free tests:

• Your GP (free)
• Sexual Health Clinics (free on the HSE)
• Brook Ireland (sexual health service for young people)
• Some pharmacies (free testing)

If you're sexually active, get tested at least once a year—more often if you have multiple partners.

Treatment

Gonorrhea responds brilliantly to antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe the right course based on your situation.

What to expect:

• A course of antibiotics (usually 1-2 weeks) or sometimes a single injection
• Commonly prescribed antibiotics include ceftriaxone or spectinomycin
• Take all medication as prescribed, even if symptoms disappear
• Avoid sex for at least a week during treatment
• Your sexual partner(s) must be tested and treated at the same time
• Follow-up testing after 3-4 weeks confirms it's cleared

That's it. Treatment is straightforward and highly effective.

Why It Matters If Left Untreated

If gonorrhea hangs around untreated for weeks or months, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in people with a vulva, which can affect fertility and cause chronic pain. In people with a penis, it can cause epididymitis (inflammation of the tubes that store sperm). This is entirely preventable with early treatment and testing.

Prevention

• Condoms—highly effective at preventing transmission
• Regular testing—at least yearly if you're sexually active
• Partner notification—tell sexual partners so they can get tested
• Open communication about sexual health and testing status

Support & Resources

Gonorrhea is common and nothing to be ashamed of. Irish sexual health clinics see it regularly and will treat you quickly and confidentially. Testing and treatment are free through the HSE. If you're worried about telling a partner, most clinics offer partner notification services.