Introduction
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus. It used to be known as "the clap".
The bacteria are found mainly in discharge from the penis and vaginal fluid from infected men and women. Gonorrhoea is easily passed between people through:
- unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex
- sharing vibrators or other sex aids that haven't been washed or covered with a new condom each time they are used
It can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby. Read more about the causes of gonorrhoea.
Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include an unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating and, in women, bleeding between periods.
However, around 1 in 10 infected men and almost half of infected women don't experience any symptoms.
Getting tested
If you have any of the symptoms of gonorrhoea or are worried that you may be at risk of having an STI, you should visit your local sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic for a sexual health test.
Gonorrhoea can be easily diagnosed through a simple swab test or men may be asked to provide a urine sample. Read more about how gonorrhoea is diagnosed.
Find your nearest sexual health clinic by searching by postcode or town.
For information on all sexual health services, the FPA runs a sexual health direct helpline, on 0845 122 8690.
Treating gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is treated with a single dose of antibiotics which are at least 95% effective, but it's important to start treatment as early as possible. Read more about how gonorrhoea is treated.
If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to more serious long-term health problems. Complications of gonorrhoea can include pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who is sexually active can contract gonorrhoea, especially people who change partners frequently or don't use a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom, when having sexual intercourse.
Previous successful treatment for gonorrhoea doesn't make you immune from catching the infection again.
Gonorrhoea is a less common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK than chlamydia, genital warts or genital herpes, but over 17,000 new cases of gonorrhoea were reported in 2009. Young men and women are affected most the highest rates of gonorrhoea are seen in women aged 16-19 and men aged 20-24.
