Gonorrhea Signs and Symptoms in Men vs. Women

Many women don't have noticeable gonorrhea symptoms. If they do, the symptoms can be mild or mimic the symptoms of other infections. Symptoms of gonorrhea in women can resemble yeast infections, other bacterial infections, or urinary tract infections—which is why it's important to regularly test for STIs like gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea symptoms in women can include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge—particularly a watery, creamy, or slightly green discharge
• Frequent urination along with pain or a burning sensation while urinating
• Spotting between periods or heavier-than-usual periods
• Pain during sexual intercourse or sharp pains in the lower abdomen
• Fever or sore throat
• An itchy or sore anus, or rectal discharge, bleeding, or painful bowel movements

If a woman isn't treated for gonorrhea, the infection can damage the reproductive system and increase the risk of getting or transmitting HIV. It can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility. In some rare cases, gonorrhea can spread to the bloodstream and joints, which is known as disseminated gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea symptoms during pregnancy

Not all pregnant women who are infected will show gonorrhea symptoms. However, in addition to the symptoms mentioned above, pregnant women with untreated gonorrhea may also experience:

• Miscarriage
• Preterm birth
• Ectopic pregnancy (a potentially life-threatening condition)

It's also possible for the infection to be transmitted to the baby during delivery, which can cause serious health complications—like pneumonia—for the newborn.

According to the CDC, pregnant women younger than 25 should get screened for gonorrhea and other STIs at the first prenatal visit. This helps lower the risk of STIs causing pregnancy complications or harming the baby's health.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in men may not be noticeable at first, and some men may never develop symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

• More frequent urination
• A discharge or drip from the penis—often pus-like and ranging in color from white or beige to yellow or green
• Swelling or redness at the tip of the penis
• Swelling or pain in one or both testicles

Gonorrhea can also infect the rectum, often as a result of anal sex. In this case, symptoms can include:

• An itchy or sore anus
• Discharge or bleeding
• Painful bowel movements

Remember that many individuals show no gonorrhea symptoms at all. This means they can unknowingly pass the infection to their sexual partners—who can also pass it along to others. But if you’re sexually active, you can lower your risk of gonorrhea by practicing safe sex. Use a condom for protection every time you have sexual contact, and talk openly with your partner about both of your past sexually transmitted infections and treatment. Your risk is also lower if you’re in a mutually monogamous relationship and each of you have tested negative for STIs.

Knowing your risk for gonorrhea can be as easy as taking a test. Tests sometimes include urine samples or a swab of an area that’s potentially affected—like the penis, cervix, urethra, anus, or throat. Home test kits are a great option if you prefer the privacy and convenience of testing at home.

Everlywell offers an at-home chlamydia and gonorrhea test that includes easy-to-follow instructions and everything you need to collect your sample at home. Your physician-reviewed test results can be easily—and securely—viewed online with the device you choose. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are two different STIs, but with this single test you can reliably screen for both.

Symptom	Men	Women
No symptoms (asymptomatic)	Possible	Common
Unusual discharge	Penile discharge (white, yellow, beige, or green)	Abnormal vaginal discharge (watery, creamy, or slightly green)
Urinary symptoms	Frequent urination; pain or burning while urinating	Frequent urination; pain or burning while urinating
Genital symptoms	Swelling or redness at the tip of the penis; swelling or pain in the testicles	Pain during sex; sharp pains in the lower abdomen
Menstrual changes	—	Spotting between periods or heavier-than-usual periods
Rectal symptoms	Itchy or sore anus; discharge or bleeding; painful bowel movements	Itchy or sore anus; discharge or bleeding; painful bowel movements
Other symptoms	—	Fever; sore throat