Gonorrhoea: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), also known as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can be transmitted to an individual via unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex and can affect the genitals, rectum, throat, and rarely, the eyes. It is considered one of the most common STDs worldwide, affecting both men and women, particularly those with multiple partners or without consistent protection.

Knowingly or unknowingly, if left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and, in severe cases, spread to the joints, heart, or other organs. Pregnant women can also pass the disease to their infants during childbirth, risking severe eye infections in newborns. Regular STD testing is essential for early detection and prevention of transmission, as symptoms can be mild or absent in some cases. Early detection is key, and convenient options like at home STD testing make it easier to get checked even without visiting a clinic.

At SKIN111 Medical & Aesthetic Clinic in Dubai, we provide confidential, accurate gonorrhoea testing and treatment as part of our comprehensive STD and STI services as stand-alone tests and as a part of our STD Panels.

What is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex and can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat, and in rare cases, the eyes. Gonorrhoea is one of the most common STDs worldwide, affecting both men and women of all ages, especially those who are sexually active or have multiple partners or do not consistently use protection.

Gonorrhea Symptoms

Gonorrhoea symptoms can vary in the nature of how they affect a human and may not appear immediately after the exposure or at the beginning stage of the infection. In some cases, gonorrhoea can be asymptomatic, making it easy to be spread without even knowing. If the individual is symptomatic, symptoms typically appear within 2–14 days after exposure to the pathogen, Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

• Pain or burning sensation during urination
• Abnormal vaginal or penile discharge (yellow, green, or white)
• Redness, swelling, or irritation in the genital area
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Sore throat (for oral gonorrhoea)
• Anal discomfort, itching, or discharge (for rectal gonorrhoea)

Gonorrhoea Symptoms in Men

• White, yellow, or green penile discharge
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Swollen or painful testicles
• Increased urinary frequency

Gonorrhoea Symptoms in Women

• Vaginal discharge with unusual color or odor
• Painful urination
• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
• Irregular vaginal bleeding between periods
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Both men and women can also develop rectal gonorrhoea (anal pain, discharge, bleeding) or oral gonorrhoea (sore throat, swollen lymph nodes).

What causes Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a highly contagious organism that spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. Neisseria gonorrhoeae attaches itself to the mucous membranes that line the reproductive tract, throat, rectum, or eyes. Once established on mucor membranes, the bacteria begin to multiply, causing inflammation and tissue damage. This can cause symptoms like burning during urination, abnormal discharge, pelvic pain, and other gonorrhoea symptoms. The infection can spread locally within the genital tract and, if untreated, may enter the bloodstream, affecting joints, skin, and other organs eventually.

Diagnosis and Tests for Gonorrhoea

We use blood tests and urine tests to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that cause gonorrhea. These tests are noninvasive, quick, and highly accurate. While many clinics rely solely on swab tests, our approach focuses on blood and urine testing, making the process more comfortable for our patients, and the accuracy and reliability is higher.

Testing options available at SKIN111 are as follows.

1. Standalone Gonorrhoea Test – Ideal for individuals who specifically want to check for gonorrhoea infection only.
2. Comprehensive STD & STI Panel Tests – These include gonorrhoea testing along with screening for other common infections such as chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C, and more, providing a complete sexual health check-up, and testing multiple pathogens together is rather cost-effective.

Treatment of Gonorrhoea

At SKIN111 Medical & Aesthetic Clinic in Dubai, we follow a clear, transparent, and patient-focused approach to the diagnosis and treatment of gonorrhea.

1. Booking & Testing – We schedule your gonorrhoea test at your convenience at our clinics or in the comfort of your home after explaining every step clearly.
2. Licensed Sample Collection – All samples are then collected and handled by trained, DHA-licensed registered nurses.
3. Accurate Lab Analysis – Samples are next processed using advanced diagnostics to detect the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium/pathogen.
4. Results & Interpretation – If your gonorrhoea test resulted positive, our medical team goes the extra mile to provide you with FREE interpretations, ensuring you fully understand your condition.
5. Doctor Consultation – We arrange a confidential consultation with one of our experienced doctors for further assessment and to create a personalized treatment plan or to provide you with prescriptions.
6. Evidence-Based Treatment – In the case of gonorrhea, we follow internationally approved treatment guidelines, including intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) antibiotic protocol execution at our clinics or at the discreet comfort of your home.
7. Follow-Up & Retesting – We provide guidance on post-treatment care, work out the journey with you, and provide you retesting guidelines to confirm the infection is fully cleared.

Prevention of Gonorrhoea

“Prevention is the best cure.”

Preventing gonorrhoea is possible with the right precautions and regular sexual health screening. Since gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, it spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner, even if they have no visible symptoms.

1. Practice Safe Sex – Always use condoms or dental dams during sexual activities.
2. Limit Sexual Partners – Reducing the number of sexual partners mitigates your exposure risk.
3. Get Regular STD & STI Testing – At SKIN111 Clinic in Dubai, we offer confidential gonorrhoea testing and comprehensive STD panels to detect infections early, for safety and peace of mind.
4. Avoid Sexual Contact if Infected – If you or your partner have tested positive for gonorrhea, refrain from intimacies until treatment is completed and follow-up testing confirms the infection is cleared.
5. Partner Notification & Treatment – Ensure all recent sexual partners are informed, tested, and treated if needed to prevent reinfection or further transmissions.
6. Pregnancy Precautions – Pregnant women should be screened for gonorrhoea to prevent transmission to the newborns during childbirth.

Conclusion

Gonorrhoea is one of the most common yet completely preventable sexually transmitted infections (STIs). With early gonorrhoea testing, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment, you can protect your sexual health, avoid serious complications such as infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and prevent transmission to your loved ones.

At SKIN111 Medical & Aesthetic Clinic in Dubai, we specialize in confidential gonorrhoea testing, comprehensive STD screening, and evidence-based treatment protocols. Whether you are experiencing gonorrhoea symptoms, have been exposed to an infected partner, or simply want to ensure peace of mind through regular STD testing, our DHA-licensed medical team provides professional, discreet, and judgement-free care.

We offer both standalone gonorrhoea tests and full STD/STI panel screenings, with fast, accurate results and personalized treatment plans. All testing is carried out by licensed nurses in a safe, private setting, and positive results are managed with doctor consultations and IM antibiotic protocol execution according to international guidelines. Take control of your sexual health today; book your private gonorrhoea test or STD screening in Dubai with SKIN111 and protect yourself and your partner from the risks of unknown and untreated STDs.