Gonorrhoea - Discrete STD Testing

• home
• sexual health
• sexual health testing
• gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea

What is it?

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).  Someone with Gonorrhoea has an increased risk of getting other STIs, including HIV.  Gonorrhoea is one of the fastest growing STIs in the UK and, like Chlamydia, may present with no symptoms.

MUMS GPs, Nurse and Health Care Assistants offer Gonorrhoea testing. The cost of the test is £100.00. Sometimes we test urine, sometimes we test using swab.

An appointment with the Nurse costs £30.00

An appointment with the GP costs £100.00 where a full history and exam will take place – this also included providing you with a result and any further advice or treatment.

Gonorrhoea is also included in our combined STI multiple tests.

Gonorrhoea is an important and preventable causes of infertility. If left untreated, Gonorrhoea in women can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which can lead to infertility and potentially fatal tubal (ectopic) pregnancy, whilst in men it can cause inflammation of the testicles and prostate.

Women who have Gonorrhoea during pregnancy tend to have higher rates of miscarriage, infection, preterm birth and Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM). Gonorrhoea can be transmitted from mother to child during birth and newborn children can develop Gonorrhoea, most commonly in the eyes which may lead to blindness.

How do you get it?

Gonorrhoea can be spread by vaginal, oral, or anal sex or genital contact. 

Gonorrhoea cannot be spread by toilet seats, door knobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bath tubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.

Symptoms

Many people with gonorrhoea do not have symptoms, but they can include:

In women:

• Burning sensations when urinating
• Yellowish discharge from the vagina
• Vaginal bleeding
• Sore throat
• Painful bowel movements

In men:

• Burning sensation when urinating
• Discharge from the penis
• Painful or swollen testicles
• Sore throat
• Painful bowel movements

How to test and samples

Gonorrhoea can be tested by urine sample or a swab taken by a clinician. 

Times: Incubation, results and re-test

The incubation time is 14 days.

Results from all samples take two working days from when the sample is received in the laboratory.

What to do if the test is positive

Gonorrhoea is curable and can be treated with antibiotics.  You should not have sex until the treatment has finished, and the symptoms have gone away. If you have had gonorrhoea will be advised to re-test 2 weeks after completing treatment. This is due to emerging resistance to antibiotics.