Gonorrhea is better known as gonorrhea. The STD is the third most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. However, there are not always clear symptoms. We tell you what to watch out for.
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What you need to know about gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. The most common way of infection is through unprotected sex. The bacteria responsible for the disease, the gonococci, can be transmitted during unprotected vaginal, anal and oral intercourse. About 87 million people worldwide contract gonorrhea every year. The sexually transmitted disease is also known colloquially as gonorrhea and is the third most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. However, the exact number of actual new infections is only an estimate, because in many countries, including Germany, new cases do not have to be reported to the health authorities.
The most common symptoms of gonorrhea are inflammation of the genitals and urinary tract. In many cases, however, the infection is symptom-free. There are also differences between men and women when it comes to the actual characteristics of the symptoms and the severity of the course of the disease. For example, gonorrhea is almost completely symptom-free in about half of the women who suffer from it. A third of the sick men do not perceive any symptoms from the infection with gonococci. The danger of an undetected gonorrhea infection: The bacteria can spread to the rest of the body and cause chronic inflammation.
4 signs to watch out for
1. Painful urination
Infections with gonorrhea bacteria sometimes cause severe inflammation of the urinary tract. Both women and men experience painful urination during the disease, which is caused by inflammation of the urethra. Extreme pain when urinating can occur in particularly acute gonorrhea. The symptoms can easily be confused with those of a bladder infection . In any case, seek a clarifying discussion with your family doctor.
2. Purulent discharge
Bacterial infection of the urinary tract and especially the urethra leads to the formation of pus in both men and women. A typical sign of gonorrhea is therefore a purulent, yellowish discharge from the urethra. The bacteria multiply very quickly, which increases the formation of pus and thus the discharge. In women, the discharge is sometimes not as strong as in men. The foci of inflammation and pus containing bacteria often cause redness and painful swelling of the external genitalia.
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3. Inflammation of the internal genital organs
If left untreated, the gonococcal infection can quickly spread to the internal sex organs. In women, this can sometimes result in inflammation of the cervix or the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Bleeding, abdominal pain and fever are typical signs of gonorrhea spreading to the internal genitals. In men, inflammation of the prostate sometimes follows. Inflamed epididymis are also common. Epididymitis is characterized by painfully enlarged and tender epididymis.
4. Rectal inflammation
The gonorrhea bacteria can sometimes also cause inflammation in the rectum. The gonococci can get into the rectum through anal intercourse or occur there as a secondary infection. Typical symptoms are discomfort and pain during bowel movements. Often pus and mucus are also visible in the stool.
