Gonorrhea Symptoms in Men

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). Gonorrhea symptoms and infection are different in men and women, as they affect the reproductive tracts. Gonorrhea can also affect the mouth, throat, eyes, anus and the urethra (urine canal) in both men and women. Gonorrhea symptoms are seen more often in men than in women.

Signs and Symptoms of Gonorrhea

Initially, in the incubation period which may take up to 5 to 30 days there are no symptoms, while some men do not develop symptoms at all. Gonorrhea symptoms in men include:

• experiencing a burning sensation while urinating
• green, white, or yellow discharge is emitted from the penis
• swollen or painful testicles
• rectal infection which includes discharge
• anal itching
• soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements

Sometimes there may be no symptoms. Throat infections may cause a sore throat, however other symptoms are rare.

How is Gonorrhea Diagnosed

Gonorrhea can be diagnosed through various laboratory tests. A sample can be obtained from likely infected parts such as urethra, rectum, or throat and sent to a laboratory for analysis. If present in the cervix or urethra, gonorrhea can be diagnosed by testing a urine sample. One of the laboratory test for gonorrhea is a Gram stain. A Gram stain sample from a urethra or a cervix allows the doctor to see the gonorrhea bacterium under a microscope.

Gonorrhea Complications

• Gonorrhea can cause epididymitis in men, which is a painful condition of the testicular ducts. The consequence can lead to infertility if left untreated.
• Blood or joints can also be affected, this can lead to life-threatening conditions.
• People with gonorrhea can contract HIV, the AIDS virus, more easily as gonorrhea is an additional way to pass along infections through sexual contact. HIV-infected people with gonorrhea can transmit HIV more easily to someone else than if they did not have gonorrhea.

Preventing Gonorrhea

• The best way to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea is abstinence from sexual intercourse, rather it is advisable to practice safe sex and to avoid multiple and unknown partners. One way is to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.
• The use of latex condoms helps to reduce the chance of getting gonorrhea.
• Any symptom such as discharge or burning during urination or unusual sore or rash if discovered, should be a signal to consult a doctor and cease sexual activity.
• A person diagnosed and treated for gonorrhea, should notify all recent sex partners so they can see a health care provider and be treated.

How to Treat Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea can be cured by use of several antibiotics. Successful treatment of gonorrhea, is however becoming more difficult, due to the rise of drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea. People with gonorrhea also often have chlamydia, and antibiotics for both infections are usually given together. While it is important to take all the medication prescribed to cure gonorrhea, permanent damage due to the disease will not be repaired , although medication will stop the infection. People can get the disease again if they have sexual contact with persons infected with gonorrhea. If symptoms of gonorrhea recur even after treatment, he should be reevaluated by a doctor.

That was some commonly known and transmitted knowledge about gonorrhea symptoms in men. I hope that it was useful and an adequate introduction to the topic.