Gonorrhea Symptoms

On This Page: Symptoms | Women Symptoms | Men Symptoms | Throat, Anus & Eye | Complications

Gonorrhea is a common bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can be transmitted during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. It’s easily curable with prescription antibiotics, but many people don’t know they have it because signs of infection are often vague or silent. Without proper treatment, gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent damage, which can affect your ability to have a child.

What Are Symptoms of Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea often doesn’t have symptoms, so many people don’t know they or their sexual partner(s) are infected. In fact, 10-15% of men and about 80% of women with gonorrhea show no symptoms.¹ Even when symptoms do occur, they can be so mild that they’re easily overlooked or confused with other infections, which is why getting tested is important.

When symptoms appear, for men, they usually begin 2-7 days after infection. However, it can take as long as 30 days for symptoms to begin. For women, when signs are present, they typically appear within 2-10 days of infection but can take several months to begin.²

Gonorrhea Symptoms in Women

Most women don’t show symptoms of gonorrhea. When symptoms do appear, the signs are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.

Gonorrhea symptoms in women can include:

• Increased vaginal discharge that may be bloody, yellowish, or watery and green
• Painful urination
• Pain during intercourse
• Abdominal or pelvic pain
• Bleeding between periods

Gonorrhea Symptoms in Men

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects both men and women. Men are at higher risk of getting gonorrhea than women, and they also tend to experience more severe symptoms than women. In many cases, men with gonorrhea do not experience any symptoms, but in other cases, they may experience a range of symptoms that can range from mild to severe.

The most common symptoms of gonorrhea in men include:

1. Urethral discharge: One of the most common symptoms of gonorrhea in men is a thick, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. The discharge can be accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating, and it may be more noticeable after having sex.
2. Painful urination: Men with gonorrhea may experience a burning or painful sensation when they urinate. This can be a sign of inflammation in the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
3. Painful ejaculation: Some men with gonorrhea may experience pain or discomfort during ejaculation. This can be a sign of inflammation in the prostate gland, which is located near the base of the penis.
4. Swollen or tender testicles: Men with gonorrhea may experience swelling or tenderness in the testicles, which can be a sign of infection in the testicles or epididymis.
5. Rectal symptoms: In some cases, men who have anal sex may experience rectal symptoms, such as discharge, itching, and pain. These symptoms can be a sign of rectal gonorrhea.

It is important to note that many men with gonorrhea do not experience any symptoms. In these cases, the infection can go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to serious health problems, including infertility and an increased risk of acquiring or transmitting other STIs.

If you think you may have gonorrhea, it is important to seek prompt medical attention. Your doctor can diagnose gonorrhea with a simple test, such as a urine test or a swab from the infected area. Treatment for gonorrhea typically involves antibiotics to clear the infection and prevent further health problems.  It is a serious STI that can cause a range of gonorrhea symptoms in men. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, it is important to seek prompt medical attention to get tested and treated. Early treatment can help prevent serious health problems and reduce the risk of complications.

Gonorrhea Symptoms in the Throat, Anus, and Eye

In both men and women, as mentioned earlier, gonorrhea can affect the throat if you have oral sex, and the rectum if you have anal sex with an infected sex partner. Often, these conditions don’t show symptoms.

Signs of Throat Gonorrhea:

1. Sore throat: One of the most common symptoms of throat gonorrhea is a sore throat, which can be accompanied by pain, swelling, and redness. This can be a sign of inflammation in the throat and can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing.
2. Painful swallowing: Men and women with throat gonorrhea may experience pain or discomfort when they swallow. This can be a sign of inflammation in the throat and can make eating and drinking difficult.
3. Swollen lymph nodes: People with throat gonorrhea may experience swelling in the neck or under the jaw, which can be a sign of an infected lymph node. This can be accompanied by tenderness or pain when the area is touched.
4. Mouth sores: In some cases, individuals with throat gonorrhea may experience mouth sores, which can be painful and make eating and drinking difficult.
5. Red or white patches in the mouth: individuals with throat gonorrhea may also experience red or white patches in the mouth, which can be a sign of inflammation.

Signs of Anal Gonorrhea

Anal gonorrhea is a type of gonorrhea that affects the anus and rectum in men and women. This type of gonorrhea can occur when the bacteria that cause the infection are transmitted through anal sex. Anal gonorrhea can cause a range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe.

The most common symptoms of anal gonorrhea include:

1. Pain or discomfort during bowel movements: People with anal gonorrhea may experience pain or discomfort during bowel movements, which can be a sign of inflammation in the anus and rectum. This can make it difficult to go to the bathroom and can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as bleeding or discharge.
2. Anal discharge: People with anal gonorrhea may experience discharge from the anus, which can be a sign of an infected gland or a tear in the anus. This discharge can be yellow or green and can have a foul odor.
3. Anal itching: Individuals with anal gonorrhea may experience itching in the anus, which can be accompanied by burning or pain. This can be a sign of inflammation and can be uncomfortable.
4. Pain or swelling in the anus: Men and women with anal gonorrhea may experience pain or swelling in the anus, which can be a sign of an infected gland. This can be accompanied by tenderness or pain when the area is touched.
5. Bleeding from the anus: Men and women with anal gonorrhea may experience bleeding from the anus, which can be a sign of an infected gland or a tear in the anus. This can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain or discomfort during bowel movements.

 Signs of Gonorrhea in the Eye

Ocular gonorrhea is a type of gonorrhea that affects the eyes and can cause a range of symptoms. This type of gonorrhea is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is the same bacteria that causes genital and anal gonorrhea. Ocular gonorrhea can occur when the bacteria enter the eye, either through contact with contaminated hands, objects, or fluids or through sexual contact.

1. Eye pain or discomfort: People with ocular gonorrhea may experience pain or discomfort in one or both eyes, which can be accompanied by redness and swelling. This can make it difficult to open the eye and can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as discharge or sensitivity to light.
2. Discharge from the eye: People with ocular gonorrhea may experience discharge from one or both eyes, which can be a sign of infection. The discharge may be thick and yellow or green, and can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching or burning.
3. Blurred vision: People with ocular gonorrhea may experience blurred vision or changes in their visual acuity. This can be a sign of inflammation in the eye, which can make it difficult to see clearly.
4. Sensitivity to light: People with ocular gonorrhea may experience sensitivity to light, which can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain or discomfort in the eye. This can make it difficult to be in bright light or to look at bright screens or lights.
5. Swelling: People with ocular gonorrhea may experience swelling in one or both eyes, which can be a sign of inflammation and infection. This can make it difficult to open the eye and can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain or discomfort.

In severe cases, ocular gonorrhea can cause permanent vision loss or even blindness. It is important to seek prompt medical attention if you experience any of the above symptoms, as early treatment is essential for avoiding complications and preserving vision.

If you think you were exposed to or are experiencing symptoms of gonorrhea, visit your doctor or get tested quickly at a local testing center.

Complications If Gonorrhea Is Left Untreated?

Although gonorrhea is common and often asymptomatic, untreated gonorrhea can lead to serious, sometimes permanent health complications.  Due to inflammation, an active gonorrhea infection can also increase the likelihood of contracting HIV.³

Untreated Gonorrhea in Women

Untreated gonorrhea in women can lead to serious health complications and can have long-term effects on a woman’s reproductive health. If left untreated, gonorrhea can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious infections.⁴

Some of the most common complications of untreated gonorrhea in women include:

1. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): This is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of gonorrhea that occurs when the bacteria spread from the reproductive tract to other parts of the body, including the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus. PID can cause pain, fever, and can lead to infertility.
2. Ectopic pregnancy: This is a dangerous condition that occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are more common in women with a history of PID.
3. Infertility: Women with untreated gonorrhea are at risk of infertility, as the bacteria can cause damage to the reproductive system, leading to infertility or reduced fertility.
4. Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI): This is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of gonorrhea that can occur when the bacteria spread to other parts of the body, such as the joints, skin, and bloodstream. DGI can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, skin rash, and joint pain.

Complications During Pregnancy

If a pregnant woman has gonorrhea, she can pass the infection to her baby through the birth canal during delivery. If this happens, the baby can suffer blindness, joint infection, or even a life-threatening blood infection. To reduce the risk of health complications for your baby, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends women who are at risk get tested starting early in their pregnancy.⁵

Untreated Gonorrhea in Men

Untreated gonorrhea in men can lead to a range of serious health complications. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can spread to other parts of the body, including the reproductive system, joints, and even the bloodstream, leading to serious and potentially life-threatening infections.⁶  

Some of the most common complications of untreated gonorrhea in men include:

1. Epididymitis: This is an inflammation of the epididymis, a duct that carries sperm from the testicles. Epididymitis can cause pain, swelling, and even infertility if left untreated.
2. Prostatitis: This is an inflammation of the prostate gland, which can cause pain, discomfort, and other symptoms such as frequent urination and difficulty urinating.
3. Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI): This is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of gonorrhea that can occur when the bacteria spread to other parts of the body, such as the joints, skin, and bloodstream. DGI can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, skin rash, and joint pain.
4. Infertility: Men with untreated gonorrhea are at risk of infertility, as the bacteria can cause damage to the reproductive system, leading to infertility or reduced fertility.

Infection That Spreads To Joints and Other Parts of the Body

In rare cases (about 0.5-3% of infected patients), gonorrhea can spread to other areas of the body, including blood, skin, heart or joints. This potentially fatal condition is called disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) or gonococcal arthritis, and it can develop within two weeks after being infected with gonorrhea.⁷ It can cause fever, rash, skin sores, joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

What Can You Do?

Quick diagnosis and treatment of gonorrhea are key to preventing serious health complications. If you feel embarrassed or alone, know that gonorrhea is common and easily curable. Getting regularly tested for gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections helps people who are sexually active know and protect their sexual health.

Medically Reviewed by William Terranova, MD on February 5, 2023