• Vaginal Changes
• Infections

The Best Treatment Options for Gonorrhea

Medically reviewed and edited by Harmony Vance, APRN

What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that develops when harmful bacteria (N. gonorrhoeae) enter the body.

An untreated gonorrhea infection can cause severe long-term health complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or ectopic pregnancy in women.

A gonorrhea infection can also cause painful abscesses to develop on the genitals that may contribute to infertility.

If you have gonorrhea, you may experience symptoms within two weeks of infection. These include:

• Pain or burning while urinating

• Abnormal pus-like discharge from the genitals

• Abdominal or pelvic pain

• Pain or discomfort during sex

• Rectal infections that can cause anal itching and pus-like discharge

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Sore throat

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How do you get gonorrhea?

This STI is usually spread through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person — such as during vaginal or anal sex. You can also get gonorrhea through oral sex.

Newborn babies may be infected with gonorrhea if they come into contact with infected fluids during childbirth.

Is it Possible to Treat Gonorrhea?

It is possible to treat and cure gonorrhea infections with antibiotics. These are usually prescription-strength medications that kill the harmful bacteria in your system.

Your healthcare provider will need to recommend the STI antibiotic to you, following a positive gonorrhea test result.

How long is gonorrhea treated for?

Some strains of gonorrhea can be more challenging to treat and may require two different types of antibiotics to help you overcome an infection. These antibiotics may need to be taken for up to seven days.

If your infection is less severe, you might be able to treat it with a one-off antibiotic injection.

It’s important to follow your treatment regime exactly as prescribed to avoid risk factors like antibiotic resistance.

If your symptoms persist this could be due to suspected treatment failure, and you’ll have to see your doctor for a follow-up appointment.

What is the Best Gonorrhea Treatment?

Gonorrhea should be treated with prescription-strength antibiotics containing ceftriaxone or doxycycline. Oral azithromycin may also be effective.

Your healthcare provider will either recommend a course that will take several days to complete or an injection that you only need to take once.

These treatment options are proven to be effective for treating even the most severe gonorrhea infections. Both treatment methods have also been approved by the FDA for treating gonorrhea.

It’s recommended to visit a sexual health clinic to take another gonorrhea test within two weeks after successful treatment.

A reinfection of gonorrhea is common, so going for a follow-up test can help you ensure that you’re cured.

Your health care provider may also recommend getting more regular STI tests, especially if you choose to remain sexually active.

Can I use over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to treat gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea can’t be treated and cured through use of OTC medication alone.

OTC options usually aren’t strong enough to effectively kill gonorrhea-causing bacteria in the body.

This means that an infection will never be completely gone, and the chances of developing gonorrhea again are high.

Failing to treat gonorrhea with the proper medication can also increase your chances of developing long-term medical complications.

It’s important to note that your doctor may prescribe OTC medication to help you deal with secondary gonorrhea symptoms like pain or swelling.

Will gonorrhea treatments prevent future infections?

Although gonorrhea treatments are effective for treating active infections, they won’t prevent you from getting the disease again in the future.

There is no way to avoid getting STIs like gonorrhea completely. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following to lower your risk of reinfection:

• Avoid unprotected sex

• Getting tested for other sexually transmitted infections at least once a year

• Not sharing sex toys or ensuring that they are properly cleaned before using them

• Avoid new sexual partners if you’re still receiving treatment

• Abstaining from sexual activity if you or your partner currently have STIs

Where Can I Learn More About Gonorrhea Treatments?

Gonorrhea is a serious condition that requires professional medical attention to treat and cure it.

Our team of licensed doctors can help you get the treatment you need for your gonorrhea infection, from the comfort of your own home.

Make an appointment with one of our clinicians today and take control of your sexual health. Head over to LifeMD to get started.

Harmony Vance, APRN

Harmony is a family nurse practitioner and has been caring for patients for over 20 years through various roles in the medical field. She graduated in 2018 with a Master's Degree and a focus on family care.

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