What are the causes of gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, which are found in vaginal fluids and penile discharge. The infection spreads primarily through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, but can also be transmitted through other forms of sexual contact.

Even if ejaculation does not occur, gonorrhoea can still spread through genital-to-genital contact. This means you can contract the infection even if penetration hasn’t taken place.

Other ways gonorrhoea can spread:

• Oral sex – The bacteria can infect the throat, sometimes causing a sore throat or no symptoms at all.
  
• Eye infections – If vaginal fluids or semen from an infected person come into contact with the eyes, gonorrhoea can cause conjunctivitis.
  
• Sex toys – Sharing unwashed or uncovered sex toys can transfer bacteria between partners. Always clean sex toys thoroughly and use a new condom each time they are shared.
  
• Pregnancy and childbirth – Pregnant women with gonorrhoea can pass the infection to their baby during birth, potentially leading to eye infections or other complications in newborns. Pregnant individuals who suspect they may have gonorrhoea should get tested and treated to protect their baby’s health.

How gonorrhoea does NOT spread

There are many myths about how gonorrhoea is transmitted. The Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria cannot survive for long outside the human body, so gonorrhoea is not spread through:

• Hugging or casual contact
• Sharing towels, baths, cutlery, or cups
• Using public toilets or swimming pools

Note: While casual kissing is not considered a transmission risk, there is emerging evidence that gonorrhoea may be transmitted through deep or open-mouth kissing when throat gonorrhoea is present. The risk is low, but possible.

If you are sexually active, regular gonorrhoea testing is the best way to protect your health and prevent the spread of infection. If you’re unsure how to get tested for gonorrhoea, Stigma Health makes the process easy, confidential, and stress-free.

How can you prevent gonorrhoea?

Like most sexually transmissible infections, gonorrhoea can be prevented by taking precautions during sex and getting regular STI tests, especially if you have multiple sexual partners.

Practice safe sex and use barrier protection every time

The most effective way to reduce the risk of gonorrhoea is by using barrier methods of contraception, such as:

• Male condoms – Recommended for vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Applicable to anyone with a penis.
• Female (internal) condoms – Provide protection during vaginal sex. Applicable to anyone with a vagina.
• Dental dams – A thin latex sheet that covers the genitals or anus during oral sex.

Always use a new, undamaged condom or dam that is within its expiry date. Single-use only.

Even if you don’t have penetrative sex, gonorrhoea can still spread through genital contact, so protection is essential.

Practice safe use of sex toys

• Do not share sex toys unless they have been thoroughly washed and disinfected.
• Use a new condom on sex toys if they are being shared between partners.

Regular STI testing is key

Even if you always use protection, regular STI testing is the best way to prevent unknowingly spreading gonorrhoea infection. Many sexually active people have no symptoms, which means you or your sex partners could have gonorrhoea without realising it.

If you are unsure how to test for gonorrhoea, Stigma Health makes it simple. Order your referral online, visit a local sexual health clinic or one of our 10,000+ pathology partners, and receive your results privately and securely.

Important: Contraceptive pills and other birth control methods do NOT protect against gonorrhoea. Only barrier methods like condoms and dental dams can reduce the risk of infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea symptoms usually appear 2 to 3 weeks after exposure, but many sexually active people don’t realise they’re infected because symptoms can be mild or completely absent.

• 1 in 10 men/anyone with a penis and 5 in 10 women/anyone with a vagina with gonorrhoea have no noticeable symptoms.
• Without symptoms, the infection can go undiagnosed and spread to others without warning.
• If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to serious complications, including infertility and chronic pain.

Because gonorrhoea often goes undetected, regular testing is essential — even if you feel fine. Testing ensures early detection and treatment, preventing complications and reducing the risk of passing the infection to sexual partners.

Gonorrhoea symptoms explained

Men and women may develop gonorrhoea in the rectum, eyes, and throat after having unprotected anal and oral sex.

NOTE: Throughout this information, the term “men” includes all people with a penis, and “women” includes all people with a vagina.

Gonorrhoea symptoms in women/anyone with a vagina include:

• An unusual discharge from the vagina. The discharge is usually thin, watery, and greenish, or yellowish in colour
• Pain while passing urine
• Burning sensation during urination
• Pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen
• Bleeding after sex
• Unusual bleeding between periods
• Heavier periods

Gonorrhoea symptoms in men/anyone with a penis include:

• An abnormal discharge from the tip of the penis. The discharge may be whitish, yellowish, or greenish
• Pain while passing urine
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Swelling and inflammation of the foreskin of the penis
• Pain and tenderness in the testicles

When the infected semen or vaginal fluid comes in contact with your eyes, you may develop conjunctivitis. The symptoms, in this case, would be redness of the eyes, swelling, thick discharge from the eyes, and sticking of the eyelids to each other.

Gonorrhoea in the eyes of the babies may lead to pain, swelling, and irritation in the eyes with abnormal discharge. Newborn babies usually develop symptoms in the eyes within the first two weeks after birth.

Infection in the rectum may lead to pain, discomfort, and discharge from the anus. Patients who develop an infection in the throat may not experience any symptoms.

Who should get tested for gonorrhoea?

It’s important to get tested for gonorrhoea regularly, especially if you have multiple partners or when you think there is a possibility you are infected. Anyone should get themselves tested even if they do not have any obvious symptoms or when the symptoms have resolved on their own.

You should get tested for gonorrhoea if:

• You or your partner have the symptoms that could be due to gonorrhoea
• You have had unprotected sex – vaginal, oral, or anal – with a new partner
• You or your partner had unprotected sex with any other partner
• You have been diagnosed with any other STI such as chlamydia, syphilis, genital herpes, or HIV
• Your sexual partner(s) tell you that they have an STI or have potentially been exposed to an STI
• You are pregnant or planning a pregnancy
• You experience increased, unexplained pelvic pain and/or your doctor notices abnormal discharge or signs of infection during an examination

How to get tested for gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea testing is quick, simple, and painless, and it’s the only way to confirm if you have an infection. Depending on your symptoms and sexual history, your healthcare provider may recommend a urine sample or a swab sample to detect the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria.

How is gonorrhoea tested?

• For men/anyone with a penis – A first-catch urine test is the standard method of testing in most cases, especially if there are no symptoms. A swab may only be needed if there are local symptoms such as discharge or pain. Avoid urinating for at least two hours before your test, as this can affect accuracy.
  
• For women/anyone with a vagina –A self-collected vaginal swab is a highly accurate option for detecting gonorrhoea. A urine sample may also be taken, but a urine test is less sensitive than a vaginal swab in women. In clinical settings, a cervical swab may be collected during a doctor’s examination, this is the most accurate.
  
• For oral, anal, or eye infections – If you’ve had unprotected oral or anal sex or suspect an infection in the throat, rectum, or eyes, a swab sample may be collected from the affected area.

How long do gonorrhoea test results take?

• Most results are returned within 1–2 days.
• While the actual test may take only a few hours in the lab, the full process of collection, analysis, and reporting usually takes at least a day, and may be longer depending on the laboratory.
• Some tests may take up to two weeks for confirmation, depending on the laboratory and test type.

Get tested without the hassle

With Stigma Health, you can order your gonorrhoea test online, visit one of 10,000+ pathology collection centres, and receive your secure results from the privacy of your home. No need for GP visits or awkward conversations — just fast, reliable testing when you need it. Get tested today.

How often do I need to get checked?

Gonorrhoea can take up to 2 weeks to show up after exposure, so if you’ve had recent sexual contact, speak to a doctor about the best timing for your test to avoid false negatives.

Regular sexual health check-ups are essential for anyone who is sexually active, even if you have no symptoms. Many sexually transmissible infections, including gonorrhoea, can go undetected for months, putting you at higher risk of serious complications and unintended transmission to sexual partners.

Recommended testing frequency:

• At least once a year – If you are sexually active, routine testing for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV is recommended.
  
• Every 3 to 6 months – If you:
  • Have multiple sexual partners
  • Have had unprotected sex with a new partner
  • Are a man who has sex with men
    
• Immediately – If you experience any symptoms of gonorrhoea or your sexual partner has tested positive for an STI.

Since gonorrhoea infection often has no symptoms, testing is the only way to be sure of your status. Early detection prevents complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women/anyone with a vagina and epididymitis in men/anyone with a penis, both of which can cause infertility if left untreated.

Easy, stress-free STI testing

If you’re unsure how to test for gonorrhoea or need a routine STI check, Stigma Health makes it simple. Order your test online, visit a local sexual health clinic or pathology collection centre, and receive your private results securely — without the hassle of GP visits.