Gonorrhea
What is it?
Symptoms & Effects
Screening & Treatment
Protection
More...
What is it?
When people say "She's got the clap," this is what they mean. Gonorrhea is a very contagious and common STD caused by bacteria. You can get it by having sex, including oral or anal, with someone who is infected.
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Symptoms & Effects
Gonorrhea is bad news if it isn't treated. It can cause arthritis and sterility and can lead to something serious called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women. Gonorrhea is curable. There are several medicines you can use. A health care provider will know the right one for you.
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Screening & Treatment
Like some other STDs, Gonorrhea doesn't always show up with symptoms so that people know they have it. This means, you can catch it from someone who doesn't know they're carrying Gonorrhea. Also, the symptoms that DO show up are like other infections: men can have a white or yellow discharge from the penis or pain when they take a leak. Women may have a vaginal discharge, pain in their belly, burning when they pee or bleeding after sex or between periods. The only way to REALLY know if you have Gonorrhea is to get tested! It's simple and it doesn't hurt. So, don't fool around with this. If you think you might have it or have been with a woman who might have it, get a test right away!
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Protection
You can protect yourself from Gonorrhea by doing all the usual things you do to protect yourself from other STDs:
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Symptoms & Effects
Screening & Treatment
Protection
More...
What is it?
When people say "She's got the clap," this is what they mean. Gonorrhea is a very contagious and common STD caused by bacteria. You can get it by having sex, including oral or anal, with someone who is infected.
Return to Top
Symptoms & Effects
Gonorrhea is bad news if it isn't treated. It can cause arthritis and sterility and can lead to something serious called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women. Gonorrhea is curable. There are several medicines you can use. A health care provider will know the right one for you.
Return to Top
Screening & Treatment
Like some other STDs, Gonorrhea doesn't always show up with symptoms so that people know they have it. This means, you can catch it from someone who doesn't know they're carrying Gonorrhea. Also, the symptoms that DO show up are like other infections: men can have a white or yellow discharge from the penis or pain when they take a leak. Women may have a vaginal discharge, pain in their belly, burning when they pee or bleeding after sex or between periods. The only way to REALLY know if you have Gonorrhea is to get tested! It's simple and it doesn't hurt. So, don't fool around with this. If you think you might have it or have been with a woman who might have it, get a test right away!
Return to Top
Protection
You can protect yourself from Gonorrhea by doing all the usual things you do to protect yourself from other STDs:
- Talk with your partner about this stuff before you have sex!
- If you notice any signs of infection, go to a movie instead; don't have sex until you're checked.
- Carry condoms with you and use them. See how to talk with your partner about using them.
- Limit the number of partners you have sex with. The more partners you have, the more likely you're going to end up with a disease (or as a daddy!).
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