Gonorrhea is a prevalent STI infection that has millions of reported cases each year. This sexually transmitted infection spreads through physical intimacy with your partner. It has prominent health impacts on both males and females. Women are more affected by this sexually transmitted disease.

According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women are disproportionately affected by gonorrhea with approximately 78% of reported cases occurring in females. Gonorrhea in women can cause serious reproductive health issues if left untreated. Therefore, understanding gonorrhea and its health complications in women is essential.

Sexually transmitted infections mainly transfer through physical contact with an infected person. Sexually active individuals can suffer from the drip by practicing intercourse without using proper protection. This STD spreads through unprotected sex with your partner, like intimacy without barriers. Unsafe sexual relations can lead to gonorrhea, which is the most common sexual infection right after chlamydia. It is crucial to reach out to online health portals for managing and preventing such diseases.

How does it spread?

Gonorrhea is a common STI that passes from one infected person to another through bodily fluids. Here is a checklist of its causes among women. Gonorrhea symptoms in females are listed as: 

1.  Unsafe sexual intimacy:

• Vaginal intercourse without using sexual barriers. 
• Practicing oral sex with an affected partner.
• Anal sexual contact with an infected partner.

2.  Vertical transmission:

In many cases, gonorrhea is spread from mother to newborn during childbirth. This is one of the high-risk transmissions that needs prompt treatment and healthcare guidance. 

3.  Sharing objects can also lead to neisserial bacteria:

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection. However, in a few cases, it spreads through infectious objects such as sex toys. 

4.  Non-sexual contact:

In rare cases, non-sexual contact can lead to gonorrhea. It usually involves close contact with the bodily fluid without having sex. This is a rare mode of transmission for infection.

Gonorrhea signs in women:

Gonorrhea sometimes has mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Therefore, it is essential to seek consultation from a medical officer for gonorrhea STD treatment. Its symptoms get worse if left untreated. The most prevalent signs of this infectious disease in women usually involve:

• An unusual vaginal discharge is one of the foremost causes of this STI. This discharge can vary from thick to thin greenish. This happens when the infection causes inflammation in the vaginal walls, leading to the production of pus. 
• Tingling sensation and pain while urinating. This pain can cause inflammation and severe burning if left unprocessed.
• You're going to the bathroom more often than usual.
• Patients with sexually transmitted diseases feel pain during vaginal sex. The cervix and vaginal tissues' inflammation can make intercourse hurt. 
• Lower abdominal pain is another sign of Neisseria bacteria. This happens when an infection enters the pelvic area and causes chronic pain in the reproductive organs. 
• Gonorrhea infection can have symptoms like uncommon bleeding or spotting during the monthly cycle. 
• In severe cases, this infection can spread to the eyes, causing itchy and red eyes. This happens when a person touches the eye area with infectious hands. 
• Gonorrhea can also transmit to the throat, causing persistent sore throat when an individual practices oral sex without using dental dams. 

It is essential to seek amedical evaluation if you or someone you know experiences these signs. Prompt treatment and timely diagnosis can prevent complications and reduce the risk of contracting an infection.

How do you know if you have gonorrhea?

How can you get gonorrhea? is one of the frequently asked questions that arises in every sexually active individual. You need to get regular checkups by a healthcare expert in case you are feeling pain in the lower abdomen, have consistent discharge, or are sexually active. However, it is important to know that many patients with gonorrhea have no symptoms at all. Recognizing the symptoms is crucial for preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

What can happen if you have gonorrhea for a long time?

Neglecting gonorrhea can lead to serious and persistent health issues for both genders. The potential risk associated with this bacterial infection involves:

• Untreated gonorrhea in women can lead to chronic health problems that involve:
        1. Ectopic pregnancy
        2. Pelvic pain 
        3. Infertility 
• Patients with an STI history have the risk of contracting and transmitting HIV. 
• In rare cases, gonorrhea bacteria enters human blood and joints. But if it occurs, it requires an immediate medical consultation. The symptoms involve skin lesions, joint pain, inflammation, and fever. 
• Children born to mothers who have unmanaged gonorrhea might have eye infections that later lead to poor eyesight. 

How can you avoid contracting gonorrhea?

1. Barrier Protection: Condoms and Dental Dams
   
   It is of utmost importance to follow the rules of sexual activity by using protection such as condoms and dental dams. The given barriers will be the key to the prevention of gonorrhea. One can remain safe and thus cut the chance of transmission of this sexually transmitted infection.
    
2. Avoidance of Infected Individuals
   
   It is better to be cautious when it comes to having sexual intercourse with an infected person.
    
3. Symptom Recognition
   
   Awareness of the symptoms of gonorrhea is crucial to avoiding the danger of getting this disease.
    
4. Partner Limitation and Disclosure
   
   Cutting down the number of sexual partners and having honest communication with your partner are the things that will greatly assist you.
    
5. Regular Screening and Partner Testing

The focus of this strategy is on the regular screening of those diagnosed with the disease and partner testing, which is an essential step to stop the transmission of the disease.
 

Online treatment for gonorrhea:

Online treatment for gonorrhea has become convenient these days. Many healthcare platforms provide STD treatment plans and prescriptions online. A remote doctor can assist you by providing an online prescription for gonorrhea based on the history you shared with him.

AlphaCare Inc. is a confidential and secure telemedicine platform that provides access to online medication anytime, anywhere. Using a simple urine sample with return packaging, our diagnostic methods identify sexually transmitted infections. Our providers guide you through the test procedure, ensuring your safety and treatment. This reliable and convenient telehealth service supports sexual health and overall well-being.