Symptoms of gonorrhoea in females

Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS

Introduction

The term “gonorrhoea” refers to a sexually transmitted illness (STI). A bacteria that affects both sexes and causes gonorrhoea. Usually, the urethra, rectum, or throat are affected by gonorrhoea. Females who have gonorrhoea may also develop cervicitis. Gonorrhoea is
typically spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

But after birth, kids of infected moms can contract the disease. In infants, gonorrhoea most usually results in eye impairment. The best
defense against STIs is to avoid having sex altogether, use a condom when you do, and maintain a mutually monogamous relationship. Symptoms of gonorrhoea in females oftenshow after two weeks of infection, though they can occasionally take months to manifest. The
illness can continue untreated for some time because about 5 in 10 infected women will not exhibit any overt symptoms.

Table of Contents

Symptoms of gonorrhoea in females

Gonorrhoea infection frequently has no symptoms. While symptoms can appear everywhere in your body, the vaginal tract is often where they appear.

Being infected with gonorrhoea in the vagina

The following symptoms of gonorrhoea in females and indicators could be present in women who suffer from gonorrhea:

Raised vaginal leaking: "Raised vaginal leaking" is the term for an atypical vaginal discharge that may be thin or watery, green or yellow, etc.
Unpleasant urination: Along with pain or a burning feeling when urinating, this is one of the symptoms of gonorrhoea in females.
Bleeding from the cervix after sex, such as between periods: bleeding between cycles, larger periods, and bleeding after sex is less typical in this situation.
Pelvic or abdominal pain: as well as any tenderness or pain in the lower abdomen.

Additionally, gonorrhoea can impact the following body regions:

Eyes: Eye symptoms of gonorrhoea in females might include eye pain, light sensitivity, and pus-like secretion from either one or both eyes.
Throat: Sore throat and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck region are two indications of a throat infection.
Joints: Septic arthritis is an infection of one or more joints caused by bacteria. The affected joints may be heated, red, swollen, and exceedingly painful, especially while moving.

Especially in the initial phases of the infection, the majority of infected women show no symptoms.
Early symptoms of gonorrhoea in females are frequently only modest. They may also resemble symptoms of vaginal yeast infections or other bacterial infections, making it even more challenging to distinguish between the two.

Early symptoms of gonorrhoea in females include:

Vaginal discharge that is creamy, watery, or green
Discomfort or burning when urinating
A desire to urinate more often
Thicker or spotty periods between periods
Penetrative vaginal sex discomfort
Unpleasant lower abdominal ache
Rectal evacuation or bleeding
Bowel movements that hurt

Gonorrhoea occurs because:

You contract the disease when the gonorrhoea-causing bacteria (N. gonorrhoeae) enters your body through sexual fluids like semen or vaginal fluid—often during unprotected intercourse.

Your mouth, vagina, or anus are all possible entry points for germs. Neither you nor your partner must ejaculate (cum) to spread the bacteria. Sharing sex accessories that haven’t been cleaned or wrapped with a fresh condom can potentially spread gonorrhoea.

The most common site of infection in people who are born with the gender assigned to them as female is the cervix. The cervix is a canal that connects your uterus and vagina.

Gonorrhoea is not caused by:

Contagious gonorrhoea spreads quickly during sexual activity. However, not all bodily fluid exchanges or sexual activities put you at risk for gonorrhoea. Gonorrhoea cannot be acquired from:
Grasping hands, kissing, or hugging.
Sharing meals, beverages, and cutlery.
Using a restroom after another person.
Catching a cough or sneeze and then inhaling the droplets.

Risk elements:

Additional factors that could increase your risk are as follows:

Young adults who engage in sexual activity have a higher risk of developing gonorrhea.
Acquiring a new mate
Being with a sexual partner who has multiple partners
Having multiple sexual partners
Being a gonorrhoea or other sexually transmitted disease sufferer
Surgery to remove epididymis

Complications:

If gonorrhea is not treated, it could lead to major issues like:

Women who are infertile: Gonorrhoea causes a condition known as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which has the potential to affect the uterus and fallopian tubes. PID raises the risk of infertility, fallopian tube scarring, and pregnancy complications. PID must be treated immediately.
A disease that spreads to your joints and other bodily parts: Several body organs, including the joints, can become infected by the gonorrhoea-causing bacterium as it circulates through the body. Potential negative effects include stiffness, edema, joint pain, rash, fever, and skin ulcers.
The greater risk of HIV/AIDS: If you have gonorrhea, your risk of obtaining the AIDS- causing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rises. Those who have both illnesses are more likely to transmit gonorrhoea and HIV to partners.
Problems with infants: Babies that acquire gonorrhea during birth from their moms may experience blindness, scalp sores, and infections.

Gonorrhea is identified as:

Your healthcare practitioner will question you regarding your symptoms and sexual history. After that, your urine or other bodily fluids must be examined for the gonorrhoea-causing bacteria..

During your appointment, your doctor could:

Perform a pelvic exam while collecting a sample of cervical fluid for analysis.
For fluid collection for testing, swab your throat or rectum.
Collect a urine sample for analysis.
The ideal gonorrhoea test for you will be discussed with you, along with the type of fluid sample required. Your doctor might also recommend a chlamydia test for you. These infections frequently co-occur.

Control and treatment:

To treat the infection, prevent re-infection, and stop the spread of the disease, the doctor will give oral medications and injectable antibiotics to the patient and his or her partner. In addition to sexual abstinence, until the doctor approves the practice of safe sex with condoms and protection, the patient should finish the entire course of antibiotics even if they make them feel better.

Prevention:

To lower your risk of gonorrhoea:

If you have intercourse, use a condom: The most effective strategy to prevent gonorrhea is avoiding intercourse. However, if you choose to have sex, use a condom for all types of sex, including anal, oral, and vaginal.
Do not have too many sex partners: Being in a monogamous relationship where neither partner has sex with anybody else can lower your risk.
Make sure you and a partner both get STI testing: Before engaging in sexual activity, get tested and talk to each other about the results.
Avoid having intercourse with someone who appears to be infected with an STI. Avoid having sex with a partner who displays signs or symptoms of an STI, such as burning when urinating or a rash or sore on the genitalia.
Think about gonorrhea testing regularly: Annual screening is indicated for sexually active women under the age of 25 and older women who are at higher risk of infection. Women who have a new partner, several partners, partners with other partners, or an STI- positive partner are affected by this.
Refrain from having sex until both you and your partner have finished therapy and all symptoms have disappeared to prevent contracting gonorrhea again.

Conclusion:

One of the oldest STIs, gonorrhoea, has significantly improved its diagnosis and treatment over time. Despite a decline, we have been dealing with a comeback of the illness in recent years. Promiscuous sexual behavior and the emergence of drug-resistant strains may be to blame for this revival. Preventing the spread of gonorrhea may be greatly aided by safe sexual behavior, sex education, particularly for teenagers, and prompt treatment regimen adjustments to combat resistant strains.