The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider gonorrhea to be the sneakiest of all sexually transmitted infections because most female sufferers don’t show symptoms of the infection.
And,
those that do show symptoms may think the symptoms are related to a
UTI or yeast infection.
The
reality is that gonorrhea is a common STI, with more than 800,000 new
infections occurring each year. Over half of these new infections are
in individuals 15 to 24 years of age. The CDC there was a record low
number of gonorrhea cases in 2009; but, in 2016, the percentage
increased to about 50 percent.
Public
health officials consider this STI a serious public health threat, as
it’s developed an antibiotic-resistant strain that most treatments
cannot cure. In fact, just one class of antibiotics can actually do
the trick to cure gonorrhea.
Even
worse, when not treated in a timely manner, it can cause pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID), which means the bacteria has traveled
from the cervix, up the urethra and invaded the fallopian tubes and
uterus. This causes a major infection and may cause a woman to become
infertile.
For
women to protect themselves, they need to practice safe sex such as
using a condom. However, since gonorrhea symptoms are so subtle and
could be mistaken for other causes, it’s important to seek
assistance from a medical professional right away. A gonorrhea test
can be administered and treatment can begin right away.
Women
with gonorrhea may have a yellowish, thick vaginal discharge. This is
because the bacteria infects the cervix, causing it to generate the
discharge in response to the inflammation. It usually causes one to
feel itchy too.
Bear
in mind that an itchy, fishy-smelling vagina is usually the result of
bacterial vaginosis, but always talk to your doctor to find out for
sure.
If
you have pain during sex or putting in a tampon, the cervix may be
inflamed from the infection. A physical exam from the doctor could
also hurt if gonorrhea is present. In fact, the pain could be quite
unbearable.
A
gonorrhea infection can affect the urethra, which is the tube pee
travels down from the bladder. If there is an infection, you could
experience a burning sensation as well as pain and the sensation to
go even when you don’t need to. These symptoms are also signs of a
UTI, so talk to your doctor.
An
inflamed cervix can easily bleed, which is why some women experience
spotting or bleeding if infected with gonorrhea. Bear in mind that
irregular bleeding or spotting could also be a sign of other
conditions. Talk to your doctor to get a more precise diagnosis.
You can get gonorrhea via anal sex, which can lead to painful bowel movements as well as bleeding, itching, discharge and soreness.
A
gonorrhea exam involves a swab from the vagina or a urine test, with
test results returning in 48 hours. If positive, your doctor will
prescribe you antibiotics such as Zithromax. It’s imperative to
take all of your antibiotics, as some gonorrhea strains have become
resistant to them.
Do not have sex until you are done taking the prescription and reduce the risk of giving your partner the disease. They should also be tested for it to ensure it’s not always been spread. When the infection clears, be sure to use a condom and get tested regularly. Women 25 and younger or older women with a new sexual partner should be tested once a year.
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