- Gonorrhea is an STI. You get it through sex
- You are more likely to get it if you don’t use a condom
- You may have symptoms. But not everyone does
- Get yourself tested for gonorrhea twice a year. If you have any symptoms between tests, get an additional STI test
- Do not have sex until one week after your treatment
Symptoms
Women often do not realize that they have gonorrhea. Men, on the other hand, often do have symptoms. Usually, you get symptoms soon after you get gonorrhea. It can also take longer.
Do you have a vagina? Then you may have these symptoms
- Painful urination
- A burning feeling when urinating
- Pain and blood coming out of your vagina during or after sex
- Blood coming out of your vagina when you are not having your period
- More vaginal discharge or different discharge than usual
- Itching on your anus
- Blood or mucous in your poop, or diarrhea
- Severe pain in your stomach
Do you have a penis? Then you may have these symptoms
- Painful urination
- A burning feeling when you urinate
- Fluid from your penis, especially in the morning
- Itching on your anus
- Blood or mucous in your poop, or diarrhea
- Pain in your testicles
Gonorrhea in your throat
You can also have gonorrhea in your throat. Usually, you don’t notice it, but you can pass the STI on easily through blow jobs. You can also pass gonorrhea when you use your saliva as lube. Sometimes, you can even pass it on by kissing.
Take an STI test
Do you think you have gonorrhea? If so, you might have other STIs. Get an STI test at the municipal health service (GGD) or at your doctor's office. Then you will know for sure whether you have an STI. And you will get an injection in your bottom right aw
Testing and treatment
Do you have symptoms and think you might have gonorrhea? Get an STI test at the municipal health service (GGD) or at your doctor's office. At the GGD, this is often free.
If you test positive for gonorrhea, you will get medicine. The medicine will clear up your symptoms. You also can’t give the STI to other people. You will get the medicine in an injection in your bottom.
Tell people you had sex with that you have gonorrhea. That way, they can also get tested for STIs.
You can read more about gonorrhea, the treatment and which sex partners can also get tested at soaaids.nl.
Read more about gonorrhea (Dutch only)
Working if you have gonorrhea
It is better to take a break from work if you have gonorrhea. Do not have sex until one week after your treatment. That way, your body will have time to recover. In addition, you will be sure that you no longer have the STI. And you won’t pass it on to someone else.
No sex means:
- No vaginal or anal sex. Not even with a condom
- Don’t let anyone perform oral sex on you
- Don’t let anyone give you a blow job
- Don’t let anyone finger your vagina or anus.
- Don’t lay or rub your vagina or penis on someone else’s. Or against their anus
- If you have gonorrhea in your throat: don’t give blow jobs. Are you doing it anyway? If you are, use a condom
This goes for sex with your clients and your own partner if you have one.
What is ok to do if you have gonorrhea?
- Long-distance sex. For example, using a web cam. Read about how you can have long-distance sex
- Masturbate someone
- Finger the other person in their vagina or anus
- Giving a blow job: it’s better not to do that if you have gonorrhea in your throat.
- Always use a condom when you give a blow job. Are you unable to use a condom? In that case, please note:
- Don’t take the penis too far into your throat
- Make sure you don’t get any sperm in your mouth
Get three free Hepatitis B vaccinations
You can also catch Hepatitis B by having sex. Especially if you don’t use a condom. You can get very sick from it. Get vaccinated for free at the municipal health service (GGD) so you don’t catch this STI.
