Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. Anyone who has sex can get it and the most common symptom is a green or yellow discharge from your penis or vagina. Gonorrhoea can also be symptomless.

It can be treated with antibiotics. You might feel upset or embarrassed if you test positive for gonorrhoea, but we will never judge you. The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner you can get treatment. It’s important to start treatment as soon as you can because gonorrhoea can cause serious health issues if left untreated.

Symptoms can include: 

  • thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis
  • pain when you pee 
  • unusual vaginal bleeding between periods 

Gonorrhoea bacteria can also infect the throat, bottom (anus) or eyes. It can cause pain or discharge here too. 

If you have any of these symptoms it’s a good idea to get checked out by your GP even if you do not test positive for gonorrhoea or another STI. 

About 1 in 10 men and nearly 5 in 10 women with the infection have no symptoms. If you’re worried you may have gonorrhoea do not wait for symptoms before you take an STI test. 

The bacteria that cause gonorrhoea are found in the penis discharge, vaginal fluid, throat or anus of an infected person. It’s easy to catch it through: 

  • vaginal, oral or anal sex without a condom
  • sharing sex toys that are not washed or covered with a new condom between each use

Gonorrhoea is tested for with a pee sample or a swab test, where a small swab is wiped over an affected area. This may be a little awkward, but it should not hurt, and we will do all we can to put you at ease.

If you are 16 or over and have no symptoms you can order a free at-home testing kit from our partner SH:24. 

If you have symptoms or you are under 16, it’s better to get a test in a sexual health clinic, so we can offer you all the support you might need. You will also get treatment faster if you need it. Call us on 0800 328 3383 or find a sexual health clinic near you. 

Gonorrhoea is usually cured with antibiotics. Any symptoms are likely to improve within a few days after you start treatment, but make sure you finish the course.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as you might need to be treated with a different kind of antibiotic. 

You will normally be asked to come back after 2 weeks for a test to check that the infection is gone. It's important not to have sex until you have finished gonorrhoea treatment and have had the results back from your follow-up tests.

If you test positive you will need to tell your partner and any recent partners so they can get tested too. This means anyone you have had sex with in the past 3 months.  

We know this can be difficult or awkward, so we can contact them for you. We do not give out your name. You can also call us on 0800 328 3383 for details of this service if you're being treated elsewhere.

Gonorrhoea is quick and easy to cure if you get treated. You may feel worried or embarrassed if you test positive, but anyone who has sex can get an STI. It does not say anything about you and it is way more common than you might think. 

Getting help can give you peace of mind. Whatever the result of your tests it is better to know for sure. 

The main thing is to start treatment. Without it, gonorrhoea can lead to serious health problems and infertility. 

If you are pregnant you risk premature birth and could even pass the infection to your baby. Speak to your GP or midwife as soon as you can if you think you might have gonorrhoea. 

You can avoid getting gonorrhoea, and other STIs, by using a condom when you have sex. This includes vaginal, oral and anal sex, or when using sex toys. 

Learn more about preventing STIs, and safe sex.