{"id":3960,"date":"2019-02-15T04:11:46","date_gmt":"2019-02-15T04:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3960"},"modified":"2021-05-03T19:16:23","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T19:16:23","slug":"15-signs-that-you-have-contracted-gonorrhea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-signs-that-you-have-contracted-gonorrhea\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Signs that you have contracted Gonorrhea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Gonorrhea<\/a>\u2026 the butt of sex jokes, oftentimes\u2026 actually has quite scary consequences.\u00a0 And, also\u2026 it is rampant amongst the sex pool of the United States and abroad.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevalence globally from highest to lowest rates starts with the Western Pacific area (in other words:  Australia and China), Africa, and then the Americas (North and South).  The list goes on, but these are the top three.  A .05% global rate is documented.  These numbers come from the Worth Health Organization (WHO)\u2019s 2015 measures.  In 2016, the Center for Disease Control chronicled 468,514 cases in the United States.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is .15% of the US population.  Historically in the United States, gonorrhea rates peaked in the late \u201970s and hit a low in the early 2000s.  The line graph has started to rise again slightly in recent years.  Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted and will cause infertility if it is left untreated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Painful Urination <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s bad enough our day is interrupted (hopefully at least) 3 times a day or more to go to the bathroom\u2026 now\u2026 it\u2019s going to hurt, too.  One of the symptoms of gonorrhea is painful urination.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially if this is paired with any of the other symptoms on this list, it\u2019s probably a good idea to go ahead and schedule yourself for some good old fashioned STI <\/a>(sexually transmitted infection) testing at your local health center.\u00a0 There\u2019s no need to be embarrassed\u2026 this kind of testing is run of the mill (super standard and truly considered responsible) these days.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, the first line of prevention here would be abstinence, and then condoms and monogamy.  Making sure your partner has been tested before engaging with them could save your life, as well.  Quite the bold, and completely honest statement there.  The less there is to wonder about, the better off your health will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Abnormal Discharge <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A very common symptom of almost all STI\u2019s is abnormal discharge.  It typically has an unfavorable smell, as well\u2026 as one could imagine with an infection.  It is no surprise.  Since gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, this is the nature of the game.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, if you find out you have this, an antibiotic <\/a>will be prescribed (something such as azithromycin or doxycycline are common).\u00a0 You can also eat naturally antibiotic\/ antibacterial foods to support your immune system in fighting it off; but always do testing, before diagnosis (and if you receive a diagnosis) after diagnosis, before you engage in sexual activity with another person.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, if you do not, you are liable to transfer the infection to your partner.  And also, then continue to reinfect yourself if that continues.  Since gonorrhea has been called the second most common STI by Medical News Today, 2018, it would be wise to be cautious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Testicular Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Obviously this affects men only\u2026 the quite burdensome, troublesome, distracting case of sore balls\u2026 to put it frankly.  One of the least favorable conditions for males, I can imagine.  And there\u2019s nothing much that can be done for it, other than testing and treatment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No bandaid, none you\u2019d want, at least.  If nothing else, it serves as a deterrent to promiscuous activity for me\u2026 or, at least for the wise ones.  Condoms can help reduce the transmission\/ contraction rate, but only by about 50%.  The message here is to get tested and ask your partner about their life-long test results.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least, that\u2019s the main emphasis here.\u00a0 So\u2026 if you don\u2019t want sore testicles\u2026 stay clean, and get tested regularly, and use a condom<\/a>, every time, and try to be monogamous\u2026 at least, that\u2019s what the experts say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Abdominal Pain <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the, by far, scariest symptoms of this STI is abdominal pain<\/a>.\u00a0 I believe that abdominal pain is the scariest, because\u2026 those are your internal organs\u2026 and they\u2019re not exactly easy to get access to.\u00a0 It may even turn into a stomach or lower back pain\u2026 or even nausea.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This bacterial infection can really wreak havoc on your internal organs if not addressed early on.  It can even cause infertility; reiteration for emphasis here.  So, if you\u2019re having abdominal pain paired with any of these other symptoms, go ahead and simply get a test at your local health care center.  It\u2019s better to know than to worry or allow things to go get worse.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially if you\u2019re in pain.  That can lead to a whole world of trouble down the line.  This symptom can lead to fever, vaginal pain, and the bacteria can basically spread to nearby areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. No Symptoms <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

10 – 15% of men and 80% of women have been reported as having No Symptoms at all, according to Health.NY, 2006.\u00a0 It is important to really clarify this point here, because\u2026 simply because you appear as the picture of health\u2026 if you\u2019ve had unprotected, or even protected, sex <\/a>with anyone\u2026 you are at risk.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standard these days for anyone who is at all sexually active is to get tested for STI\u2019s annually, or\u2026 about three months after sex, or\u2026 if you have a concern\/ are seeing warning signs in your body that something is wrong\/ symptoms.  A test never hurts, if you\u2019re not sure.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same goes for your partner if they have no symptoms\u2026 you still will want to see their test results before going to fun town (AKA engaging in any sexual activity of any form – as it can spread easily).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Painful Bowel Movements <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because of the bacterial infection, gonorrhea travels easily, it can reside almost anywhere in the body.\u00a0 A most common area for it is in the groin and genitals <\/a>area; the bowels are located right near there, and so, it\u2019s no surprise that this area often ends up infected or irritated as well.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can make taking a poop, or bowel moment, rather uncomfortable, and even downright painful.  If you experience this symptom paired with any others on this list, schedule an STI full-screen test at your local health center.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can stay in a long-term relationship with the same health center (or doctor), that is ideal, because then they get to know you and your body and can treat you more easily and accurately over time.   It\u2019s definitely no fun to have to squinch your eyes in pain due to the discomfort of a newly contracted gonorrhea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Anal Itching <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you thought painful pooping was bad\u2026 now we\u2019ve got an itchy <\/a>anus for you.\u00a0 That\u2019s right\u2026 this STI is the full-package (sometimes).\u00a0 It has the potential to just ruin your week\u2026 maybe even your month.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s right folks, we\u2019ve got all the bells and whistles on this one\u2026 only\u2026 must less fun.  This is like the inversion world of fun land\u2026 this is STI land, and nobody wants to be here.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your new group of friends will not be impressed, sorry to say, with all this new anal itching you\u2019ve got going on\u2026 they may not even invite you to the movies because they are tired of being a part of this new social dynamic you\u2019ve got going on.  So, if you hope to avoid the anal itching epidemic\u2026 get tested, be monogamous, abstain, and use a condom every time.  As prescribed by medical professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Heavy Menstruation or Bleeding Between Periods <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So\u2026 if regular period cramps <\/a>weren\u2019t bad enough\u2026 we\u2019ve got more period issues packaged up nicely for you with this case of gonorrhea you contracted from that bad date the other week.\u00a0 Oh yeah\u2026 you\u2019ll be extra miserable at work for the next couple of weeks, my friend\/ amigo\/ compadre.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may see spotting or light bleeding between your periods.  If this is paired with any other symptom on this list, get STI testing at your local health care center or OB\/ GYN (obstetrician\/ gynecologist).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, it\u2019s an easy fix\u2026 a round of antibiotics and no sex for 7 days, then retest in 3 months to ensure you are all clear\/ all systems go\u2026 not that you\u2019ll necessarily want to all systems go after an experience like this one.  Feel free to take a little bit of time to consider what you want out of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Tenderness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While pain is very often caused by gonorrhea, it is also possible for the condition to cause a more mild ache or tenderness <\/a>at other times. This may only be apparent when touching the area. This is due to swelling in the area, not the infection itself, which can cause the surrounding tissue to become red and inflamed. This is the body\u2019s normal defense, attempting to drive the infection out of the area and kill off any invading bacteria using natural antibodies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, often during an infection or anything else, the symptoms that make us most uncomfortable are not caused by the infections themselves, but by the body\u2019s own attempt to fight them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thing to look out for is change more than anything else. If you touch the region around your pelvis and find that it feels overly sensitive, then you should consider getting it looked at by a professional.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Foreskin Swelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another area that swelling <\/a>can occur in men, in particular, is in the foreskin. This is the skin that covers the tip of the penis, and when this becomes swollen it can make a number of usual activities more difficult and uncomfortable. When pulling back the foreskin it may feel tight, or it may feel sensitive. This can then make erections painful and might, therefore, make sexual intercourse more difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience swelling of any kind, then there may be ways you can ease any discomfort. You should not apply heat or excessive cold to the genital region, but using blood-thinning medications like Aspirin or Ibuprofen may be more effective. Speak with your physician first however, as these medications can have interactions with other drugs and may cause low blood pressure and other complications.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Tiredness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being tired is not uncommon. In fact, we have reached the point where many of us consider tiredness as a normal and expected part of being an adult in the 21st<\/sup> century. It shouldn\u2019t be \u2013 but that is a conversation for another time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thing to look for again is sudden tiredness that seems excessive and has no obvious cause. This can be a sign of an underlying condition that your body is attempting to fight, which in turn can use up valuable resources and leave you with less energy for other activities. If you experience brain fog or even depression, then this may also point to an underlying infection or another problem. This can actually be exacerbated by the swelling itself which can affect the brain via the action of pro-inflammatory cytokines<\/a>. Speak with your physician if you feel excessively tired.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Conjunctivitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people are surprised to learn that gonorrhea does not just affect the genitals but in fact, can cause pain and discomfort in a variety of places. This bacteria likes a warm and moist area to live, which means that the anus, the mouth, the eyes, and other areas are all targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of conjunctivitis <\/a>\u2013 an infection that affects the eyes \u2013 this can occur if semen or vaginal fluids should come into contact with the eyes. This can then cause redness in the eye, along with soreness, and potentially discharge. You might also feel pain and discomfort which you can this time mitigate with a cool pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is another way that you can get conjunctivitis from gonorrhea too though: and that is by receiving it from your mother at birth. If a mother has gonorrhea and is carrying a baby, then the infection can spread to that baby. Likewise, when the mother gives birth, the journey through the vaginal canal can cause the baby to come into contact directly with the bacteria. In either case, conjunctivitis is often one of the most obvious signs that this has happened. Fortunately, this can be treated with a simple round of harmless antibiotics.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Other Areas of the Body<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many other areas around the body that can be affected by the bacteria as we have also discussed. One of these is the throat<\/a>. Should you engage in unprotected oral sex, then there is a possibility of the bacteria entering the mouth and that way causing infection, swelling, redness, and discharge there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also possible to experience gonorrhea in the anus. This can happen as a result of engaging in anal sex, but can also be transferred via the hands. In all cases, if you touch an infected area and then touch an orifice, this can transmit the disease. Engaging in healthy hygiene practices is essential for these reasons.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Infertility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In many cases, gonorrhea has no obvious symptoms. This might be seen as a good thing if it means you aren\u2019t in any discomfort, but of course, it can actually be a bad thing if it means that the condition is not identified early on. When allowed to progress, this can cause a number of complications, with the most serious being infertility<\/a>. This is why it is extremely important to always practice safe sex and good hygiene, and it is why you should always inform any prospective partners if you have any reason to suspect you may have an infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an uncommon complication, however. Once the condition is diagnosed, it is normally easily treated with antibiotics.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

15. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When considering symptoms and what may be causing them, it is always useful to think about the broader picture and whether specific conditions are likely to be affecting you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the case of gonorrhea, this is more likely to be affecting you if you have had recent sexual contact. This includes unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex: and it is also possible (though less common) to transfer the condition even when you did use protection. It is not necessary for the male partner to ejaculate in order for the bacteria <\/a>to spread: simply touching the affected area may be enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that symptoms tend to show up 2-5 days after the initial contact, so if you should notice them appear at this point, there is a higher chance that gonorrhea may be responsible. Note however that sometimes symptoms will not appear at all, meaning it can be very difficult in some cases to correctly identify the condition.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>