When it gets into the blood, it can lead to disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). Gonorrhea, like any infection, can spread to other parts of the body. There is less risk of infertility in men, though in certain untreated cases, it may be brought on by epididymitis. Pelvic pain is a sign that abscesses may have developed internally-if you are experiencing abdominal pain, PID is likely and may continue to spread to the fallopian tubes increasing the risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy. This is true for individuals who show symptoms and for those who do not-routine lab screening is the most effective way to screen for lingering signs of infection (even if medication is taken). Once the infection spreads to the uterus or fallopian tubes, a woman’s ability to reproduce can be greatly affected. Of the most extensive damage gonorrhea can have, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is perhaps the most significant. It is essential to seek treatment for active infections and to screen yourself STIs and STDs every few months if sexually active. Leaving gonorrhea untreated poses major health risks for men and women. What Happens If Gonorrhea Is Not Treated? Rectal infections do not always produce symptoms, however, infected men and women may notice: A noticeable change in the style of vaginal discharge.Off-cycle vaginal bleeding (between periods).Discharge from the penis, typically white, yellow or green.
If gonorrhea is not cleared from the body, health complications arise as the infection can spread to the heart, skin and joints. If left untreated in women, gonorrhea greatly increases the risk of infertility. When mild symptoms do occur, they can be mistaken for a UTI or a similar vaginal infection. Similarly, it is common among women with gonorrhea to exhibit little or no symptoms.
Many men who have contracted gonorrhea do not experience symptoms and pass the virus through unprotected sexual contact. The only way to verify you have gonorrhea is through regular STD screening. “Untreated gonorrhea can increase a person’s risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS” As a result, you cannot avoid contracting gonorrhea simply by avoiding penetrative vaginal sex. Similar to the urinary tract, gonorrhea thrives in the mucous membranes found in the rectum, throat, mouth and eyes. The urethra is the most common site of infection for both men and women, and in women specifically, gonorrhea can settle in the uterus, fallopian tubes and cervix. Gonorrhea is an infection caused by the bacteria, “Neisseria Gonorrhoeae.” The infection finds its way into your reproductive tract before settling into the mucous membranes there. “1.14 million new infections of gonorrhea occur in the United States each year, and as many as half occur among young people aged 15-24” Today, gonorrhea is curable with prescription medication, allowing you to return to your normal lifestyle, as well as maintain a healthy sex life. A woman giving birth may also pass gonorrhea to her fetus during labor. Gonorrhea spreads easily by sexual contact between individuals and is typically spread to the genitals, throat and rectum. Gonorrhea can lead to complex and long-term health problems if left untreated.Īny sexually active individual can contract gonorrhea, but the risk increases significantly for those between the ages 15-24. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that common infects both women and men in the United States.