Updated August 2025
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
It can take two to seven days (sometimes longer) for any symptoms to appear.
Many men who have gonorrhea may have symptoms within the first one to two weeks after infection. Symptoms may include a burning sensation when urinating, a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis or itching around the urethra (opening to the penis).
Many women who have gonorrhea do not have symptoms. Women may notice pain or burning with urination, bleeding during or after sexual intercourse, abnormal spotting or bleeding between periods, a change in vaginal discharge or pain with sexual intercourse. Sometimes these symptoms may be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.
Both men and women can get gonorrhea in the throat from oral sex. Infections in the throat may cause a sore throat and swollen glands, but most often there are no symptoms. Gonorrhea in the rectum can cause rectal discharge, bleeding, anal itching, soreness, or painful bowel movements. There can also be no symptoms.
Gonorrhea can be passed on through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex from a person who is infected. It can sometimes cause eye infections when hands infected with anal, penile, and vaginal fluids touch the eye. An infected person can pass on the infection at any time until they are properly treated with antibiotics. It can also be passed from an infected mother to the baby during birth.
A doctor or nurse can take a sample by swabbing the infected area (cervix, vagina, urethra, rectum or throat). Urine testing is also commonly used to diagnose both men and women. Samples are then sent to the laboratory for testing.
A follow-up test to make sure the infection is cured is recommended for all individuals with gonorrhea. Follow-up testing should be done 3 days or 3 weeks after completing treatment, depending on the type of test used.
Untreated gonorrhea in women may lead to a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It is a serious infection of the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. PID can cause ongoing (chronic) pelvic pain. Untreated PID can cause damage to the fallopian tubes, making it hard to get pregnant and increasing the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition where the fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. Treatment is needed to stop the pregnancy.
Some men may develop swelling and pain in their testicles, a condition called epididymitis. It is also possible for men with untreated gonorrhea to have blocked tubes so the sperm cannot pass, resulting in infertility.
Infants who are born to mothers with untreated gonorrhea may get the infection as they pass through the birth canal. Infants may develop serious eye infections that could lead to blindness or a life-threatening blood infection.
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Some people may be treated with an injection only, pills only, or a combination of both. It is important to take all the medication you are given, even if you do not have symptoms or if the symptoms have disappeared. Do not have sex while you and your partner(s) are on the medication and for 7 days after you finish, even with a condom.
Symptoms should disappear within a few days of starting treatment. If symptoms do not go away after finishing treatment, follow-up with your healthcare provider.
It is important to be retested after the treatment for gonorrhea to make sure the infection is gone.
Here are a few important points to remember:
All sexual partners within the past 60 days should be tested and treated. If you have not had sex in the past 60 days, then your last sexual partner should be tested and treated. Tell your partner(s) that having no symptoms does not mean there isn’t an infection.
If you do not want to tell your partner(s), a public health nurse can notify them for you. Your name will be kept confidential.
Call the Sexual Health Infoline Ontario at 416-392-2437 (1-800-668-2437) or visit toronto.ca/health.
Safer sex: To reduce your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), use a condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex.