Gonorrhea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Gonorrhea?
A primary care doctor, a gynecologist (a doctor for women's reproductive health), or a urologist (a doctor for the urinary tract and male organs) can see you for gonorrhea. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This means it spreads through sex. It is caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The bacteria can infect the genital tract, mouth, or anus.
You can get gonorrhea during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner. A pregnant woman can pass it to her baby during childbirth.
Symptoms
Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms. Most women with gonorrhea do not have any signs or symptoms.
In men, gonorrhea can cause pain when urinating and discharge from the penis. If untreated, it can cause problems with the prostate and testicles.
In women, the early symptoms of gonorrhea often are mild. Later, it can cause bleeding between periods, pain when urinating, and increased discharge from the vagina.
Other signs depend on where the infection started:
- Genital area: pain in the pelvis or abdomen.
- Rectum/anus: anal itching, pus-like discharge, bright red blood on toilet tissue, or painful bowel movements.
- Eyes: pain, itching, sensitivity to light, pus-like discharge.
- Throat: sore throat, swollen glands in your neck.
- Joints (such as your knee): warmth, redness, swelling, or pain while moving.
Gonorrhea can cause serious health problems, even if you do not have any signs or symptoms.
Causes and who gets it
Gonorrhea is spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It can spread even if there are no symptoms. A man does not need to ejaculate (come) for gonorrhea to spread.
Gonorrhea most often affects women ages 15 to 24.
How doctors diagnose it
Your health care provider will diagnose gonorrhea with lab tests. A doctor or nurse can use one of two common tests.
- A urine test. You urinate (pee) into a cup. Your urine is then tested for gonorrhea.
- A swab test. A cotton swab takes a fluid sample from an infected place, such as the cervix, rectum, or throat.
Treatment
Your doctor or nurse will give you antibiotics to treat gonorrhea.
You must finish all of the antibiotics that your doctor gives you, even if the symptoms go away.
Antibiotics cannot fix any permanent damage done to your body. For this reason, it is important to get tested and to take the antibiotics as soon as possible.
Treating gonorrhea is becoming more difficult because drug-resistant strains are increasing.
Tell your recent sex partner(s) so they can be tested and treated. Avoid sexual contact until you and your partner(s) have been treated and cured.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible. You need to get tested and treated as soon as possible.
See your doctor or nurse again if you have symptoms that don't go away within a few days after finishing the antibiotics.
Although it does not happen very often, gonorrhea can cause widespread infection in other parts of the body, such as the blood, joints, heart, or brain. This can lead to death.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have breathing problems, fainting or loss of consciousness, or sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This kind of doctor can order a urine or swab test. The same doctor can see you again if symptoms do not go away after treatment.
Common questions
Can gonorrhea be prevented?
Yes, you can lower your risk. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading gonorrhea. If you or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms. The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
Can you get gonorrhea again?
Yes, it is possible to get gonorrhea again. Tell your recent sex partner(s) so they can be tested and treated.
Can you have gonorrhea and feel fine?
Yes. Gonorrhea does not always cause symptoms. Gonorrhea can be spread even if there are no symptoms.
Can gonorrhea affect pregnancy?
Yes. For pregnant women, untreated gonorrhea raises the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. Treatment as soon as it is found will lower the risk of these problems for both mother and baby.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
