Gonorrhea Symptoms In Women

When you are in that passionate moment with your partner, you’re sharing a lot of personal things. Gonorrhea just might be one of them. If you are concerned that you, or your partner, may have been exposed to gonorrhea, keep reading. This article will explain what gonorrhea is, describe some of its symptoms, and discuss ways to prevent infection.

What is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that usually infects a woman’s urethra, cervix, or possibly both. Men are most commonly infected in the urethra. However, it is possible for infection to occur in the rectum, anus, throat, pelvic organs, and in rare cases even the eyes.

If treated quickly, serious problems can be avoided, but if not taken care of, gonorrhea can be the source of harmful conditions. Untreated gonorrhea in women can move into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), a painful scarring and inflammation. In extreme cases, PID can lead to infertility or even ectopic pregnancy.

A man runs the risk of bladder cancer if he leaves gonorrhea untreated.

Neisseria gonorrhea is the bacteria that causes gonorrhea. It is one of the oldest known sexually transmitted diseases. An old wives tale says that gonorrhea can be passed from toilet seats or door handles, but this is simply not true. Neisseria gonorrhea, the bacterium that causes the disease, requires very specific conditions to survive. For example, it cannot live outside the body for more than a few minutes, and it cannot survive on the skin of the hands, arms, or legs. It needs moist places in the body, and is usually found in the vagina or cervix. It can also live in the urethra and rectum.

It is estimated that some one million or more women in America are infected with gonorrhea. Of those who are infected, and estimated 25%-40% are also infected with chlamydia, which is another bacterial STD.

Signs and Symptoms of Gonorrhea in Women
Gonorrhea symptoms in women may be non-existent, resulting in women passing it on to their partners without even knowing it. Some signs of gonorrhea may include the following:

•       Pain while urinating.

•       Itching or bleeding in the anus.

•       Unusual discharge from the vagina. (Men may experience a discharge from the penis.)

Sometimes, the symptoms of gonorrhea for women are so mild that they are mistaken for a bladder infection, or a vaginal infection. If the gonorrhea is left untreated, and moves into the woman’s pelvic organs, she may experience lower belly pain, pain during intercourse, vaginal bleeding, or fever.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in men may be easier to notice than signs of gonorrhea in women, but they will also have limited to no signs showing at all. Symptoms of gonorrhea may begin to show within 2 to 5 days. However, it may take up to 30 days for signs to appear.

Preventing Gonorrhea

Sexually transmitted diseases can be avoided by practicing safe sex. Some health tips for safe sex are as follows:

•       Start by talking with your partner about STD’s.

•       Avoid sexual contact with others if you have signs of a disease.

•       Also avoid sexual contact with someone else who is showing signs of an STD, or who may have been exposed to a disease.

•       Engage in one sexual relationship at a time. This will minimize your possible exposure to disease.

•       Use a condom. Follow the directions carefully, and have the condom in place before intercourse starts.

•       Remain abstinent. Abstinence is the practice of not having sex, and it’s the perfect way to prevent STD’s, unwanted pregnancy, and regrets.

Gonorrhea can be hard to detect, but easy to pass on. Be careful, open and honest with your sexual partners. And expect the same in return. If you do show signs of symptoms of gonorrhea, seek medical attention immediately.

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