8 Symptoms Of Gonorrhea That Men Need To Know

  • Editor’s Note: This article is intended for information purposes only. It does not substitute a doctor. It is vital to always consult a medically trained professional for advice that suits your needs best.

    Getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as gonorrhea, may not be a health concern for a lot of people. But health officials, like those from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), warn that gonorrhea is a very common disease, especially among young people from ages 15 to 24.

    In the Philippines, gonorrhea is one of the leading sexually transmitted infections (STI). STIs continue to be a major health problem but, according to experts from the Makati Medical Center (MMC), not a lot of people talk about it. That’s why there are gonorrhea symptoms men, for instance, need to be aware of.

    What is gonorrhea?

    Gonorrhea, according to the experts from Mayo Clinic, is an infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can infect both males and females through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. Aside from that, babies of infected mothers can also get infected while being born via vaginal delivery. (Read here.)

    A lot of times, gonorrhea affects the urethra, rectum, or throat, as well as the cervix in women. But with babies, their eyes prove to be the most vulnerable to the infection. It has be treated immediately to avoid the spread of the infection to other parts of the body, particularly the joints.

    Experts say that failure to get treatment for gonorrhea may increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through activated immune cells caused by inflammation. The infection can also cause more serious health problems and even infertility.

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    Gonorrhea symptoms men need to know

    Gonorrhea can be tricky, as pointed out by the experts from Planned Parenthood. This is because you or your partner may not have any symptoms. If ever you have one or two, they could be mild symptoms that you won’t even notice or may confuse with other infections. Thus, it’s always best to get tested.

    Experts also point out that gonorrhea symptoms in men usually are easier to notice than symptoms in women, though more men have mild or no symptoms. From the time of exposure to the bacterium, it usually takes two to five days for symptoms to set in and eventually show up for the next 30 days.

    If you’re male or a female worrying about your partner, the gonorrhea symptoms men may experience include:

    • Feeling of burning when you urinate
    • Having the urge to urinate more than your usual frequency
    • Appearance of pus or a discharge (white, yellow, or green) coming from your penis
    • Swelling or discoloration at the opening of your penis
    • Pain and/or swelling in one or both of your testicles

    Aside from the genitals, you can also get gonorrhea in your butt area, and you may experience these symptoms:

    • Having an itchy or sore anus 
    • Discharge or bleeding
    • Painful bowel movements

    Experts also note that gonorrhea symptoms in men show up most often in the morning. So you know what to watch for on your first trip to the bathroom, and this could help you detect having the infection.

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    What to do

    If you notice any of the symptoms, experts advice that you shouldn’t hesitate or delay going to your doctor. Do the same if your partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea even if you don’t experience any symptoms and if your partner has been treated. Reinfection is quite high, they point out.

    The good news, experts say, gonorrhea is typically easy to treat with antibiotics and other treatment measures. Just make it a point to take your medication religiously and completed, even if there are no more gonorrhea symptoms men usually have. You should also abstain from sex while undergoing treatment. Afterwards, always practice safe sex and take the annual screening.

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