April
2009
February
2007
healthful
Gonorrhea
Nicknames:
The Clap, The Drip
Fast facts about
gonorrhea:
•one of the most common
bacterial sexually transmitted
infections (STI)
•most common in people aged
15 to 29
•can affect the cervix, urethra,
rectum, throat and occasionally
the eyes
•often occurs with other
infections, such as chlamydia
How is it spread?
031-0202b
ID-5683-A (09)
•A person can catch gonorrhea
through unprotected oral,
vaginal or anal sex (ejaculation
isn’t needed for the disease to
be passed on or caught).
How do you know you
have it?
Lots of women don’t have
symptoms. But if they do,
symptoms might include:
•increased vaginal discharge
•painful urination
•pain in the lower abdomen
•vaginal bleeding after sex or
between periods
•pain during sex
•rectal pain, discharge
or itchiness
It’s common for a woman’s
symptoms to be mistaken for a
bladder or urinary tract infection. If
left untreated, gonorrhea can cause
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID),
which can cause chronic pelvic pain,
infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
•A pregnant woman with
gonorrhea can pass it on
to her baby during birth,
with a chance of causing an
eye infection.
Some men have very mild
symptoms or no symptoms at all.
If they do, symptoms might include:
•yellowish-green discharge from
the penis
•painful urination
•painful or swollen testicles
•rectal pain, discharge
or itchiness
For men, untreated gonorrhea
can lead to complications such as
rashes, sores, inflammation of the
testicles, joint pain, infection in
various parts of the body and, in
some cases, infertility.
For both men and women,
gonorrhea can infect the joints,
skin and may increase the risk of
getting HIV.
Source: www.sexualityandu.com
Source: www.sexualityandu.com
Questions?
613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120
Ask for the Health Line
healthful
Gonorrhea
What’s the treatment?
Antibiotics for the person infected and those who
were exposed.
How can I protect myself?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are preventable.
If you aren’t protecting yourself during sexual
activity, you’re putting yourself at risk. True, you might
come into contact with an infection that’s treatable.
But remember: some infections can only
be controlled, not cured, and will be with you for
the rest of your life.
Since not all infections have symptoms, you can’t
just look at someone and know if they have an STI.
Talk about this with your partner and make sure
that you’re both tested regularly for infections. It’s
important to treat any infection as soon as it’s found
to avoid infecting someone else and to prevent having
future complications.
Are you at risk?
High risk
Vaginal or anal sex without a
condom or other barrier
Medium risk
Oral sex with no protection
Low risk
Oral sex using a condom
or dental dam
Sex with a condom
No risk
Abstinence
Masturbation
Male condom
The male condom is inserted on the penis before sex
and prevents the sharing of bodily fluids. Each condom
is for one-time-use only (do not re-use). You can get
male condoms at pharmacies, without a prescription.
Male condoms are about 85% effective overall,
but effectiveness increases with proper use. Note:
lambskin condoms DO NOT protect against STIs.
Dental dam
A dental dam is a small piece of latex or polyurethane
that can be stretched and used to prevent the spread
of STIs during oral sex. They can be bought in stores,
or you can make your own using a condom or latex
glove. The dental dam is placed over a woman’s
genitals before her partner performs oral sex on her,
or can be used by men or women to prevent STIs
while “rimming”, which is oral sex performed on
a partner’s anus. Each dental dam is for one-time-use
only; do not re-use it, or flip it over to use the
other side.
If you become sexually active, protect yourself
and your partner. Practise safe sex, every time
you have sex.
What can I use to protect myself?
Female condom
The female condom looks like a round, upside-down
baggie and is inserted into the vagina before sex. It
prevents the sharing of bodily fluids. Each female
condom is for one-time-use only (do not re-use).
You can get female condoms at pharmacies, without
a prescription. Female condoms are about 79%
effective overall, but effectiveness increases with
proper use.
Questions?
613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120
Ask for the Health Line