A doctor has issued a stark warning about the symptoms of a Victorian disease and how it can impact your health if it's not treated.
According to the UK Health Secretary Agency, gonorrhoea has seen a 50% increase in cases in just 12 months, with the question "What is gonorrhoea?" being searched for on Google over 6,000 times each year in the UK.
To help people become more educated on the condition, Superdrug Online Doctor has teamed up with sexual health GP Dr Babak Ashfri to find out some of the key symptoms, what to do if you catch it and how to prevent it.
He's warned that gonorrhoea can cause "serious problems" if it's left untreated, particularly for women, so it's vital to be aware of the signs.
Here are some common questions about the STI that Dr Babak has helped to answer.
What is gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae which can cause severe health problems.
Dr Babak said: "In women, untreated gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a severe infection of the reproductive organs that can cause infertility and chronic pelvic pain. In men, untreated gonorrhoea can cause epididymitis, a painful inflammation of the testicles.
"Gonorrhoea can also increase the risk of contracting and transmitting other STIs such as HIV, and spread to the bloodstream, causing Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI), a life-threatening condition leading to clinical manifestations such as septic arthritis and skin rashes."
What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?
Although gonorrhoea can sometimes be symptomless, there are a few key signs that you should be wary of.
The doctor explained: "Symptoms of gonorrhoea include a discharge from the penis or vagina, pain or burning during urination, and in women, pain during sexual intercourse and abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods.
"However, some people with gonorrhoea may not experience any symptoms at all, in fact, one in 10 men and almost half of the women do not experience any symptoms."
How do you catch gonorrhoea?
The STI is contracted through unprotected or oral sex, as it's found in bodily discharge.
It can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to an unborn baby.
Dr Babak added: "As the bacteria cannot survive outside the body for long, you will not catch this STI from non-invasive bodily contact like kissing or hugging."
How to prevent gonorrhoea
Dr Babak says the most important thing you can do to avoid catching gonorrhoea is by practicing safe sex.
He said: "It is important to remember to always use a condom, do not share sex toys and ensure you get regularly tested for sexually transmitted diseases."
What happens if gonorrhoea is left untreated?
If you don't get treated for this STI, or the treatment isn't affected, it can lead to more severe health problems.
Some strains can become resistant to antibiotics, which are often prescribed to fix the problem.
The GP advised: "If you have been treated for gonorrhoea but your symptoms persist or return, it's important to seek medical advice immediately. Your doctor may recommend additional testing to determine the cause of treatment failure and prescribe a different antibiotic regimen."
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