Gonorrhoea fact sheet

​​​​​​​​​​​​Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmissible infection. It often has no symptoms. It is usually easy to cure, but if left untreated it can cause serious complications. The use of condoms and dental dams can prevent transmission.
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​​​​​​​​What is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmissible infection (STI). It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Infection can occur in the throat, urethra (urine passage), cervix (opening of the uterus), rectum and eyes​​​​.

How does gonorrhoea spread?

Gonorrhoea is spread by having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex (without a condom or dental dam) or by sharing sex toys with someone who has the infection. Gonorrhoea can also be spread from mother to baby during childbirth.

In NSW, gonorrhoea infections have been increasing among men and women who used to be at low risk of getting the infection.

Some people with a gonorrhoea infection have no symptoms and do not realise they have it. Even without symptoms, people can still pass the infection on to others.

Testing for gonorrhoea is easy, confidential and nothing to be ashamed about. It's important to get tested if you have had unprotected sex with a new or casual sexual partner.​​

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea usually has no signs or symptoms except when the infection is in the urethra (urine passage) or the eye. If you do experience symptoms, they can occur 2 to 10 days after infection.

Symptoms can include:

  • pelvic pain
  • vaginal bleeding or spotting after sex or in between regular menstrual periods
  • pain or burning sensation while peeing
  • unusual vaginal discharge
  • discharge from the penis
  • swollen and sore testicles
  • anal pain or discharge.
If left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause serious complications including:
  • ​If you have a uterus (womb):
    • pelvic inflammatory disease or PID (when the womb and fallopian tubes become infected)
    • pelvic adhesions (scars that cause tissues within the pelvis to stick together) causing chronic pelvic pain
    • infertility (inability to become pregnant) due to damage to the womb or fallopian tubes by scar tissue
    • ectopic pregnancy (when the pregnancy develops in the fallopian tubes instead of in the uterus)
    • passing the infection to your baby during childbirth leading to serious eye infections and in rare cases, blood stream or joint infections.
  • epididymitis (inflammation of the tube from the testes)
  • conjunctivitis (eye inflammation)
  • proctitis (inflammation of the rectum)
  • prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate)
  • disseminated infection (serious infection of the skin, joints, blood and organs).

Who is most at risk of gonorrhoea?

All sexually active people are at risk of infection. People who are most at risk of gonorrhoea are:

  • people who have unprotected sex with someone who has gonorrhoea
  • people who have multiple sexual partners
  • gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
  • female partners of men who have sex with men
  • anyone who has recently been diagnosed with a STI.

How do I protect myself from gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea infection can be prevented by:

  • always using condoms, dental dams, and water-based lubricant for vaginal, anal and oral sex
  • not having any sexual activity with someone diagnosed with gonorrhoea until 7 days after their treatment is finished and symptoms are fully resolved.
You can protect yourself from gonorrhoea complications by:
  • getting regular STI check-ups with your doctor
  • if you are pregnant, testing for all STIs during your antenatal check-ups to prevent passing on the infection to your baby during childbirth.

How is gonorrhoea diagnosed?

Gonorrhoea is an easily diagnosed and curable STI. Your doctor or nurse will either take a:

  • urine sample (peeing into a small jar)
  • swab test taken from the vagina, penis, urethra, anus, rectum or throat. These swabs can usually be self-collected and do not require you to be examined by your healthcare provider.

The specimen is then sent to a laboratory for testing. There are currently no reliable self-tests approved for use in Australia.

Even if you don't have symptoms, it is still important to have regular sexual health check-ups. More information about sexual health checks can be found at Sexual Health Check-up.

Call healthdirect (1800 022 222) to find a testing service near you.​

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Gonorrhoea is usually treated with antibiotics (such as ceftriaxone antibiotic injection and azithromycin antibiotic tablets). Your doctor will give you a prescription for these medicines. People diagnosed with gonorrhoea should complete the recommended course of treatment.

Some antibiotics are becoming less effective in treating gonorrhoea. This is known as drug-resistant gonorrhoea. Resistant strains of gonorrhoea are becoming more common in Australia, often from infections linked to overseas travel. If your culture (further testing of the swab/urine sample) detects any drug-resistant strains, your doctor or local sexual health clinic will be in contact with you about how best to manage the infection.

It is common to get gonorrhoea more than once. This is called reinfection.  Even after successful treatment, people can still be re-infected if they have unprotected sex with someone who has gonorrhoea.​

What should I do if I test positive to gonorrhoea?

If you have gonorrhoea you should:

  • get treated right away
  • talk with your doctor or nurse which sexual partners you think may be at risk; your doctor or nurse can help you to contact them either personally or anonymously
  • inform all sexual partners from the last 2 months and don't have sex with these partners until they have been tested and treated if infected.​
If your symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, contact your healthcare provider. They may recommend further testing.

Further i​nformation

  • Sexual Health Infolink (SHIL) for free and confidential sexual health help including a confidential help line available from Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm.
  • Play Safe for young people to access information about safe sex and STI prevention, testing and treatment.
  • Let them know for advice and help with confidential and anonymous contact tracing for all sexual partners.
  • Better to Know for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to get information about STIs and where to get tested. The site also offers a way to tell sexual partners without them knowing who you are.
  • International Student Health Hub for international students to get information about safe sex, STIs, contraception and pregnancy.
  • Family Planning NSW Talkline for reproductive and sexual health information and advice. It is free, confidential and available Monday to Friday 8:00am-8:00pm on 1300 658 886.

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