Gonorrhea
Are gonorrhea symptoms different in women and men? Everything about the ways it spreads and treatments for this disease.
Symptoms and Causes
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus) that affects both men and women. The gonococcal infection is contracted primarily when engaging in unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person.
Depending on the affected body part, different types of gonorrhea are described:
- Oral gonorrhea: affects the mouth and throat.
- Genital gonorrhea: occurs in the penis, vulva, or vagina.
- Anal gonorrhea: can occur in the anus or rectum.
- Gonococcal conjunctivitis: when gonorrhea affects the eyes. This is common when a mother infects her baby during childbirth.
With current antibiotic treatments, gonorrhea clears up quickly. However, if not detected in time or if medical guidelines are not followed, it can lead to more serious health issues such as infertility or certain sexual dysfunctions.
Symptoms
The symptoms of gonorrhea vary depending on the type and the sex of the infected person.
Symptoms of genital gonorrhea in women: According to the Ministry of Health, more than 50% of affected women remain asymptomatic. When symptoms do appear, the following signs are common:
- Painful urination.
- Changes in the color, smell, or amount of vaginal discharge.
- Bleeding between periods.
- Abdominal pain or discomfort.
Symptoms of genital gonorrhea in men: Only 10% of those infected are asymptomatic, so most present:
- Painful urination.
- Whitish, yellowish, or greenish discharge from the penis.
- Pain or swelling in the testicles.
Symptoms of anal gonorrhea:
- Pain, especially during bowel movements.
- Bleeding.
- Purulent discharge.
Symptoms of oral gonorrhea: These are rare.
- Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.
- Sore throat.
Symptoms of gonococcal conjunctivitis:
- Redness in the eyes.
- Eye pain.
- Tearing.
- Ulcers.
Causes
The gonococcus bacterium is the cause of gonorrhea. The transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae occurs when coming into contact with the genitals or bodily fluids of an infected person.
Risk Factors
The risk of contracting gonorrhea increases in the following cases:
- Engaging in unprotected sex.
- Having more than one sexual partner.
- Having sex with an infected person.
Complications
If gonorrhea is not properly treated, the following complications may arise:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): infection in the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.
- Infertility: In women, it results from PID, while in men, it is caused by inflammation of the epididymis (the duct that transports sperm).
- Gonorrhea in other parts of the body: The gonococcus spreads through the bloodstream and can reach the joints or skin.
- AIDS and HIV: Having or having had gonorrhea increases the risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- Blindness: In children with ocular gonorrhea.
Prevention
Gonorrhea can be prevented with the following recommendations:
- Use condoms during all sexual intercourse.
- Avoid sexual contact with infected individuals.
- Maintain monogamous relationships.
What doctor treats gonorrhea?
Specialists in dermatology, venereal diseases, gynecology, and urology diagnose and treat gonorrhea.
Diagnosis
To diagnose gonorrhea, the following steps are taken:
- Medical history: It is essential to know the patient’s history and sexual habits.
- Physical examination: This involves palpation or the use of a speculum (in the case of women showing signs of vaginal gonorrhea).
- Molecular tests: The World Health Organization recommends this type of test to confirm suspicion of gonococcal infection. Samples of tissue or fluids are analyzed to detect the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Treatment
As a bacterial infection, gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. It is crucial to follow the medical instructions carefully, as there have been cases where the gonococcus has become resistant to medication due to improper use of these drugs. Additionally, it is necessary to inform current and past sexual partners so that they can be treated if they are also infected.
