Q: My male partner was diagnosed with gonorrhea, but I have no signs or symptoms. How long can a woman have gonorrhea without knowing it?
A: Gonorrhea is an infection spread through sexual activity. It is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Infection occurs at various sites. Symptoms are determined by the location of the infection. Approximately 50% of women with early infection of the cervix have no symptoms. Complications may occur if early infections are not treated. That is why it's very important that a woman who believes she has been exposed to gonorrhea sees her doctor as soon as possible.
Symptoms of genital tract gonorrhea include vaginal discharge, a burning sensation when urinating, and mild, irregular vaginal bleeding.
Gonorrhea may infect glands near the openings of the bladder, vagina, and rectum. This can cause painful abscesses. If the infection spreads to the uterus and fallopian tubes, the woman can get pelvic inflammatory. This causes fever, pelvic pain, and may result in damage to the tubes that increase the risk of infertility and ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.
Gonorrhea also can be spread during oral sex. The infection may cause a sore throat, but often there are no symptoms.
Doctors diagnose gonorrhea with tests that identify the bacteria or it's DNA in infected tissues. A sample is usually taken with a cotton swab. Antibiotics are used to treat gonorrhea. It is very important that all sexual partners are treated to prevent reinfection.
Because other sexually transmitted diseases are more likely to occur in people with gonorrhea, a full medical evaluation is advised.
Joan Bengtson, M.D., is assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproduction at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
