Gonorrhoea is a disease caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium that can infect men and women usually from sexual contact. It affects the urethra, rectum, reproductive tract and throat.
Anyone who has any type of sex can catch gonorrhoea. The infection can be spread by contact with the mouth, vagina, penis or anus. The bacteria grow in warm, moist areas of the body, including the tube that carries urine out of the body (urethra).
In women, the bacteria may be found in the reproductive tract (which includes the fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix). Gonorrhoea is highly contagious and can cause several serious complications if not treated properly. It can cause serious scarring of the ovarian tubes which can render a woman infertile.
NOTE: The bacteria can even grow in the eyes and cause gonococcal conjunctivitis or, in newborns, ophthalmia neonatorum. Symptoms include severe eye pain, redness, significant discharge, and swollen eyelids. If left untreated it can quickly lead to a corneal ulcer, globe perforation, and potentially irreversible blindness.
Gonorrhoea symptoms in women
These can be very mild or nonspecific and may be mistaken for another type of infection. They include:
- Vaginal discharge
- Burning and pain while urinating
- Increased urination
- Sore throat
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Severe pain in lower abdomen (if the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and stomach area)
- Fever (if the infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and stomach area)
- If the infection spreads to the bloodstream, fever, rash, and arthritis-like symptoms may occur.
Complications of gonorrhoea in women
- Salpingitis (scarring of the fallopian tubes), which can lead to problems getting pregnant or ectopic pregnancy
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Pregnant women with severe gonorrhoea may pass the disease to their baby while in the womb or during delivery
Gonorrhoea symptoms in men
- Burning and pain while urinating
- Increased urinary frequency or urgency
- Discharge from the penis (white, yellow, or green in colour)
- Red or swollen opening of penis (urethra)
- Tender or swollen testicles
- Sore throat (gonococcal pharyngitis)
Complications of gonorrhoea in men
- Scarring or narrowing of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body
- Abscess (collection of pus around the urethra)
Complications of gonorrhoea in both men and women
- Joint infections
- Heart valve infection
- Meningitis
Natural treatment for gonorrhoea
One natural treatment alternative to antibiotics for gonorrhoea is fagara (Zanthoxyloides) but tests need to be done after any kind of treatment to ensure the gonorrhoea has been eliminated. This goes for all the natural remedies below.
Natural antibiotic remedies for gonorrhoea
- Acacia (Acacia karroo)
- Cape ash bark (Ekebergia capensis)
- Coconut (Cocos nucifera)
- Copaiba oil (Copaifera pauper)
- Cryptolepis root (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta)
- Fagara (Zanthoxyloides)
- Mullaca (Physalis angulate)
- Pink cedar (Tabebuia heterophylla)
- Sarsaparilla (Smilax longiflora, Smilax regelii)
- Sour plum (Ximenia caffra)
- Wisteria (Bolusanthus speciosus)
NOTE: Gonorrhoea does not always respond that well to natural herbal treatments, so it is advisable to visit a health practitioner or sexual clinic to be treated with the antibiotic that still works.
The Neisseria gonorrhoea bacteria has mutated and become resistant to many antibiotics. The conventional antibiotic, ceftriaxone, that still works must be given by injection. Tablets alone will not kill the gonorrhoea bacteria.
NOTE: It is vitally important to inform previous partners that they may have contracted or passed on this disease so that they will not pass it on further or leave it untreated.
Related subjects
- A-Z of ailments
- Bacterial infections and natural antibiotics
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes
- Genital warts
- Hepatitis virus infection
- Human immunodeficiency virus HIV AIDS
- Human papilloma virus infection (HPV)
- Immune system disorders
- Infertility
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Pubic lice (‘crabs’)
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Syphilis
- Thrush
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