Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Gonorrhea in Females
Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted
diseases. It is caused by bacteria and is passed from
person to person during sex. Gonorrhea most often starts as
an infection of the cervix (opening to the uterus).
Popular names for gonorrhea are clap, drip, dose, and
strain.
What are the symptoms?
Many women infected with gonorrhea have no symptoms. If
symptoms occur, they appear 2 to 10 days after exposure to
the disease. Symptoms of gonorrhea include:
- thick, creamy, yellow vaginal discharge
- burning pain when going to the bathroom
- bleeding or spotting between periods
- heavier than usual menstrual periods
- abdominal pain
- pain during sex
- fever.
How long will it last?
The outcome of a gonorrheal infection depends on:
- the length of time you have been infected
- the extent of the infection; that is, whether the
infection has spread to other parts of your body
- the number of previous gonorrheal infections you have
had.
If only the cervix is infected, proper treatment should
clear up the infection in about 10 days.
If not treated, gonorrhea in women can spread through the
uterus to the fallopian tubes and ovaries, causing pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause infertility, as
well as increase the risk of a tubal pregnancy (a pregnancy
outside the uterus). Further complications of untreated
gonorrhea include spread of infection into the bloodstream
and to other parts of the body.
Gonorrhea can be transmitted from a mother to her baby
during birth.
What is the treatment?
- Antibiotics for gonorrhea
You will need to take the antibiotic prescribed by your
physician.
- Antibiotics for chlamydia
Because many women who have gonorrhea also have a
chlamydial infection, treatment for gonorrhea also
includes treatment for chlamydia. You will need to take
the antibiotic prescribed by your physician.
- Contacts
Tell everyone with whom you have had sex in the last
3 months about your infection. They must also be
treated, even if they have no symptoms. Do not have sex
until both you and your partner have finished all the
medication.
- Follow-up
Return to your physician about 7 days after finishing
your medication so that your physician can make sure
that the infection is gone.
- Prevention
Because gonorrhea is sexually transmitted, there are
ways that you can help prevent this infection. Not
having sex (abstinence) is the best method of
prevention. Use of condoms is the next best method.
You are less likely to get a sexually transmitted
disease if you have just one sexual partner.
It is possible to be infected with chlamydia or
gonorrhea and yet not have any symptoms. If you
continue to be sexually active, you should get a test
for chlamydia and a gonorrhea culture at your yearly
pelvic examination, along with a Pap smear.
Call Your Physician Immediately If:
- You develop severe abdominal pain.
- You vomit and cannot hold the medication down.
- You develop a fever over 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C).
- You feel you are getting sicker.
Call Your Physician During Office Hours If:
- You have other questions or concerns.
|