Private Gonorrhoea test

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the gonococcus bacteria. It is usually spread through unprotected sex.

Gonorrhoea is curable, but many people are unaware that they have the infection. Harley Street Sexual Health provides screening for Gonorrhoea to identify and treat the disease, prevent spread and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Symptoms of Gonorrhoea usually come on around ten days after infection. However, many people (particularly women) don't have any symptoms. Look out for:

• Yellow or green discharge from the vagina or penis.
• Pain and burning when passing urine.
• Pain and tenderness in the pelvis and lower abdominal in women.
• Women may notice pain during sex.
• Women may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, including heavy periods, bleeding between periods, and bleeding after sex.

The bacteria that causes Gonorrhoea is found in semen and vaginal fluids. The infection is usually passed during unprotected sexual contact. The main ways in which the bacteria spreads are:

• Vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom.
• Genital contact with someone infected with Gonorrhoea. The infection can be spread without penetration or ejaculation.
• Sharing vibrators and other sex toys without cleaning them or using a fresh condom.
• Infected semen or vaginal fluid getting into the eye.
• A pregnant mother can spread the infection to her baby during childbirth, which can lead to a severe eye infection that can cause blindness.

Casual, non-sexual contact doesn’t spread Gonorrhoea. Kissing and hugging are thought to be safe. It is also not passed on by sharing cutlery, baths, towels or toilet seats.

If you are worried that you have Syphilis or if a partner has the infection, it's important to get a test. Syphilis will not go away without treatment.

If you are sexually active, especially if you have unprotected sex, there is a chance of catching STIs like Syphilis. Regular check-ups are a good idea to maintain your sexual health. It’s important to have a Syphilis test if:

• You or your partner notice symptoms of Syphilis.
• You or your partner have had unprotected sexual intercourse.
• You are in a new relationship and want to stop using condoms.
• You or your partner have had other STIs.
• You or your partner have multiple sexual partners.

Gonorrhoea tests are quick, painless and straightforward. Harley Street Sexual Health offers testing using urine or swab samples. The specialist sexual health consultants can take the swabs during your consultation or sexual health check-up.

The samples are analysed by a professional laboratory, providing fast and reliable results.

• Swab sample: Gently wipe a small, sterile cotton bud over the potentially infected area. This could be inside the vagina or anus or sometimes the eye or throat. Swabs are usually used to test women.
• Urine sample: Collect a sample of urine in the sterile container. It is better if you collect this two hours after you last passed water for more reliable results. Urine tests are usually used to test men.

Harley Street Sexual Health’s experienced consultants will email you the results as soon as they are received and reviewed. This takes between two and three days.

If your result shows Gonorrhoea infection, a consultant will contact you to discuss treatment and arrange follow-up.

Gonorrhoea is curable. It is treated with antibiotics, typically a single dose of a combination of antibiotics, one of which is given by injection. Your consultant will prescribe medication on a private prescription that can be obtained from the Harley Street Sexual Health pharmacy, or any other pharmacy of your choice.

You should avoid sex for at least one week after you and your partner have completed treatment, or until your doctor gives you the all-clear. You should not have vaginal, anal and oral sex, even with a condom, to prevent reinfection.

There are some strains of resistant Gonorrhoea infection, so you should have a follow-up appointment a week after treatment. The sexual health consultant can monitor your progress, perform another test to check that you're clear from infection.

You can get Gonorrhoea again if you have unprotected sex, or sexual contact, with an infected individual. Hence, it's crucial to ensure that your partners are tested and treated before restarting a sexual relationship.

You can protect against infection by using a condom during any oral, anal or vaginal sex. Cleaning any shared sex toys or using a condom can also help.

Having regular sexual health screening, especially when you change partners, or before any unprotected sex can help prevent the spread of Gonorrhoea and other STIs.