Risks Of Unprotected Sex
Patients should also be counseled about the additional risks of unprotected sex, including the acquisition of more serious or lifelong infections such as herpes, hepatitis B, and HIV, and, of course, about the risks of pregnancy. The emotional aspect of sexual relationships may also need to be addressed, especially in teenage girls. Teenagers are vulnerable in that they are sexually mature but not yet emotionally mature.
Patient education materials are also available at The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website and from many local public health departments.
References
Workowski KA, Bolan GA. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2015 Jun 5. 64 :1-137. . .
Dawe RS, Sweeney G, Munro CS. A vesico-pustular rash and arthralgia. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2001 Jan. 26:113-4. .
Belding ME, Carbone J. Gonococcemia associated with adult respiratory distress syndrome. Rev Infect Dis. 1991 Nov-Dec. 13:1105-7. .
Walters DG, Goldstein RA. Adult respiratory distress syndrome and gonococcemia. Chest. 1980 Mar. 77:434-6. .
Thiéry G, Tankovic J, Brun-Buisson C, Blot F. Gonococcemia associated with fatal septic shock. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Mar 1. 32:E92-3. .
St Cyr S, Barbee L, Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Pham C, Schlanger K, et al. Update to CDC’s Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infection, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Dec 18. 69 :1911-1916. .
Cucurull E, Espinoza LR. Gonococcal arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1998 May. 24:305-22. .
What Is The Treatment For Chlamydia In Women
Treatment of chlamydia involves antibiotics.
- A convenient single-dose therapy for chlamydia is 1 gm of azithromycin by mouth.
- Alternative treatments can also be used, however, because of the high cost of this medication.
- The most common alternative treatment is a 100 mg oral dose of doxycycline twice per day for seven days.
- Unlike gonorrhea, there has been little, if any, resistance of chlamydia to currently used antibiotics.
- There are many other antibiotics that also have been effective against chlamydia.
- As with gonorrhea, a condom or other protective barrier prevents the spread of the infection.
- Sexual partners also require treatment.
- Follow-up testing to confirm the success of the treatment is important.
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Common Signs Of Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can be a difficult STD to diagnose without the help of a medical professional and lab testing, particularly because it often presents very few symptoms.
Some men infected with gonorrhea may not notice any distinguishable symptoms, while others may experience:
- Painful, burning urination
- Yellow, green, or white penile discharge
- Swollen or tender testicles
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding
The majority of women experience no sign of a gonorrhea infection, with noticeable symptoms being fairly rare. For those that do experience physical signs, symptoms may include:
- Painful urination
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding
- Pelvic pain
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How Do The Symptoms Compare
Both men and women can get chlamydia or gonorrhea and never develop any symptoms.
With chlamydia, symptoms may not appear for a few weeks after youve contracted the infection. And with gonorrhea, women may never experience any symptoms at all or may only show mild symptoms, while men are more likely to have symptoms that are more severe.
A couple of the most telltale symptoms of these STIs overlap between the two , such as:
- burning when you pee
- abnormal, discolored discharge from the penis or vagina
- abnormal discharge from the rectum
- pain in the rectum
- bleeding from the rectum
With both gonorrhea and chlamydia, men may also experience abnormal swelling in their testicles and scrotum, and pain when they ejaculate.
You may also develop symptoms that affect your throat if you engage in oral sex with someone who has one of these conditions. This can cause mouth and throat symptoms, including sore throat and a cough.
How Do I Test For Chlamydia

You can get tested for chlamydia even if you dont have any symptoms.
Getting tested for chlamydia is easy and doesnt hurt. A healthcare professional will ask for a urine sample and/or take a swab from the area that might be infected. This is usually the lower part of the womb or the vagina for women, and the tip of the penis for men. If youve had anal or oral sex, you may have a swab taken from your anus or throat.
In some countries you can get a self-testing kit to do at home.
If you test positive for chlamydia, its important to tell any recent sexual partner/s so they can also get tested, and treated if necessary. If you need advice about how to do this, speak to your healthcare professional. You should also test for other STIs.
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Chlamydia Signs In Men
Many men dont discover the symptoms of chlamydia. A lot of guys have no signs in any way.
If signs do appear, its typically 1 to 3 weeks after transmission.
Some of one of the most usual symptoms of chlamydia in men include:
- burning experience during urination
- yellow or green discharge from the penis
- pain in the lower abdomen
- pain in the testicles
Its also feasible to obtain a chlamydia infection in the rectum. In this instance, the primary signs are commonly discharge, pain, and hemorrhaging from this area.
Having oral sex with somebody that has the infection increases the risk of obtaining chlamydia in the throat. Signs and symptoms can include a sore throat, cough, or high temperature. Its also possible to bring bacteria in the throat and not know it. Signs Of Gonorrhea And Chlamydia
Can Chlamydia Be Protected Against Signs And Symptoms Of Chlamydia And Gonorrhea In Females
The only sure way to prevent chlamydia is to not have genital, anal, or oral sex.
Proper use of latex prophylactics greatly reduces but does not eliminate, the threat of catching or spreading out chlamydia. If your or your companion is allergic to latex, you can make use of polyurethane prophylactics.
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Symptoms Of Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Once in a while somebody with gonorrhea or chlamydia doesnt show any side effects.
Truth be told, 75% of ladies and half of men with chlamydia show no side effects.
It is muddled how basic it is with gonorrhea, yet a few evaluations are that most of people show no side effects.
Indeed, even without any side effects, it is as yet conceivable to transmit the illness and harm the reproductive system. The key indications of gonorrhea and chlamydia can show up inside one to three weeks in the wake of engaging in sexual relations with a cooperate with the STD.
There are a few contrasts in how both STDs present in men versus ladies, yet all in all the most widely recognized revealed indications in the two people are:
Men can likewise have a more uncommon indication of expanding or agony in either or the two balls. Both can contaminate one or the two eyes causing release, conjunctivitis , or affectability to light. Both can likewise spread or contaminate the rear-end causing:
- Release
- Bleeding
- Rectal agony
Gonorrhea and chlamydia can likewise display mellow side effects, driving a few ladies to accept they have a yeast disease and self-treat with over the counter prescription.
Hence, it is imperative to counsel a specialist to guarantee you get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Chlamydia is usually passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex.
You can also get chlamydia if you come into contact with infected semen or vaginal fluid, or get them in your eye.
What Else Should I Do If I Have Gonorrhea
To stay safe and keep your sex partner or partners safe, you should:
- Tell anyone you had sex with in the last three months that you have gonorrhea. Its important to do this because gonorrhea may not cause any symptoms. Women especially may not have symptoms and wont know to get tested and treated.
- Wait a week after you finish your medication before resuming your sex life.
- Use condoms and dental dams when you have sex.
- Get tested for HIV and other STDs .
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Silent Stis: Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
You might think that if you had a sexually transmitted infection you would know, but the fact is that some STIs are usually asymptomatic in women. Two of these silent STIs are chlamydia and gonorrhea. Depending on your age and risk factors, your gynecologist may screen you for both of these STIs at your annual checkup. That’s because if you do have one of these infections and it’s left untreated, it can cause infertility later on.
Read on to learn more about why you should take chlamydia and gonorrhea screening seriously.
Painin The Stomach Or Pelvic Area
When chlamydia is left untreated, there is a 30% chance, and the infection will spread towards the pelvicorgans and cause pelvic inflammatory disease. This disease is often associatedwith sharp, dull, or cramping pelvic pain. The pain will usually start from thepelvic area and travel to the abdomen.
The image below is a clear representation of pelvic inflammation. In this particular example, chlamydia has infected the entire uterus and fallopian tubes.
The second picture is a typical example of a normal versus an inflamed fallopian tube. The left side of the image shows a healthy fallopian tube, while on the right side, inflammation has affected the area and caused the tube to double in size.
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Gonorrhea Chlamydia And Syphilis
What are gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis?Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are sexually transmitted diseases . These three STDs can cause serious, long-term problems if they are not treated, especially for teenagers and young women.What causes gonorrhea and chlamydia?Both gonorrhea and chlamydia are caused by bacteria. The bacteria are passed from one person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Gonorrhea and chlamydia often occur together.Where do these infections occur?Gonorrhea and chlamydia infections can occur in the mouth, reproductive organs, urethra, and rectum. In women, the most common place is the cervix .At what age do these infections most commonly occur?Although gonorrhea and chlamydia can occur at any age, women 25 years and younger are at greater risk of both infections.What are the symptoms of gonorrhea and chlamydia?Women with gonorrhea or chlamydia often have no symptoms. When symptoms from either infection do occur, they may show up 2 days to 3 weeks after infection. They may be very mild and can be mistaken for a urinary tract or vaginal infection. The most common symptoms in women include the following:
- A yellow vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods
- Rectal bleeding, discharge, or pain
Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are sexually transmitted diseases . These three STDs can cause serious, long-term problems if they are not treated, especially for teenagers and young women.
How Is Each Condition Transmitted

Both STIs are caused by bacterial infections that are transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, meaning sex without using a condom, dental dam, or another protective barrier between you and your partner during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Its also possible to contract the infection through sexual contact that doesnt involve penetration. For example, if your genitals come into contact with the genitals of someone whos contracted the infection, its possible to develop the condition.
Both STIs can also be contracted through protected sex with a condom or other barrier if you dont use protection properly, or if the barrier breaks.
Either STI can be contracted even if you arent showing visible symptoms. Both STIs can also be transmitted to a child at birth if the mother has either condition.
Youre at increased risk for developing these and other STIs if you:
- have multiple sexual partners at one time
- dont properly use protection, such as condoms, female condoms, or dental dams
- regularly use douches which can irritate your vagina, killing healthy vaginal bacteria
- have contracted an STI before
Sexual assault can also increase your risk of both chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Both STIs can be diagnosed using similar diagnostic methods. Your doctor may use one or more of these tests to ensure that the diagnosis is accurate and that the right treatment is given:
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What Measures Can I Take To Prevent These Conditions
The only way that you can completely prevent yourself from catching chlamydia, gonorrhea, or another STI is by abstaining from sexual activity.
But there are also plenty of ways you can reduce your risk of contracting or transmitting these infections:
How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Getting Chlamydia
The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting chlamydia:
- Be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results
- Use latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.
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Find A Women’s Health Clinic Near Me
Reproductive health is a broad topic for women that requires sensitivity. Women often ignore discomfort, especially during sex or itchiness around the vaginal region, thinking it is a mere bacterial infection. Most STDs are asymptomatic, making it hard to notice. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause fatal damages and effects like cancer, stillbirth, infertility, or even death. By visiting us at All Womens Care, you are assured of quality treatment, expert information on STDs, and confidentiality. Contact our doctors at if you are in the Los Angeles area.
What Is Gonorrhea How Do You Get It
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused by the organism Neisseria gonorrhoeae that is transmitted during unprotected sex. Gonorrhea is one of the oldest known sexually transmitted diseases. Among individuals who are infected with gonorrhea, 50% to 70% also will be infected with chlamydia, another type of bacteria that causes another STD.
Contrary to popular belief, gonorrhea cannot be transmitted from toilet seats or door handles. The bacterium that causes gonorrhea requires very specific conditions for growth and reproduction. It cannot live outside the body for more than a few seconds or minutes, nor can it live on the skin of the hands, arms, or legs. It survives only on moist surfaces within the body and is found most commonly in the vagina, and, more commonly, the cervix. It can also live in the tube through which urine drains from the bladder. Neisseria gonorrhoeae can even exist in the back of the throat and in the rectum .
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Occurrence In The United States
CDC estimates that approximately 1.6 million new gonococcal infections occurred in the United States in 2018, with a significant number of cases likely unreported. Per the CDC, gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported communicable disease. The national average in 2009 was 99.1 cases per 100,000 population, a 10.5% decrease from 2008, with considerable state-to-state variation. Rates of reported gonorrhea have increased 92.0% since the historic low in 2009. Men were apparently less likely than women to be tested for gonorrhea, 20.7% vs 50.9%, respectively. However, the infection rates between men and women were similar . Infection rates in men appear to be on the rise.
CDC report estimated the annual cost of gonorrhea and its complications to be $271 million.
In the United States, the number of gonococcal infections peaked in the 1970s, the era of the sexual revolution. With the onset of the HIV epidemic and the practicing of safe sex techniques, the incidence dramatically decreased from 468 cases per 100,000 population in 1975 to 100-150 cases per 100,000 population at the turn of the century. The rate of reported gonorrhea cases was at its lowest in 2009 but has been increasing overall since then. The increased numbers have been attributed to increased cases in males and persistently high rates in adolescents, young adults, and certain racial/ethnic groups in defined geographic areas.
Resistant gonorrhea
How Is Gonorrhea Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about your symptoms and sexual history. A urine test can often diagnose gonorrhea.
During the physical exam, your provider may:
- Perform a pelvic exam, taking a sample of fluid from the cervix to test.
- Take a sample of fluid from the penis.
- Do a throat or anal culture to see if the infection is in those areas.
Your provider will discuss which testing method is best in your situation. You may need to wait a few days for test results to come back from the lab. You may also have chlamydia, another STD. These two infections often occur together. Your provider may test you for both.
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