How to Prevent Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea: 5 Effective Measures to Prevent

Gonorrhea is among the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), impacting almost 14.1% of the Indian population. Though it is usually found in people under 25, any sexually active person can become infected. This STI often exhibits no signs, which makes regular testing essential.

If affected individuals do not opt for timely treatment, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may lead to infertility. Gonorrhea can be passed to a newborn during childbirth, so pregnant women should also be tested.

Continue reading to learn more about ways to prevent gonorrhea.

Top 5 Preventive Measures to Avoid Gonorrhea

Preventing gonorrhea involves practising safe sexual habits and taking precautions to reduce the risk of infection. Here are some key steps:

1. Practice Safe Sex

One of the best ways to avoid gonorrhea is to practice safe sex. Here are some tips to follow:

• Use Condoms Every Time: Condoms should be used correctly everytime during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. This drastically reduces transmission of gonorrhea and other STIs.
• Know Your Partner’s Status: Be sure to get tested and make sure that your partner has been tested before getting intimate. If either individual is infected, both should undergo treatment.
• Limit Sexual Partners: Fewer partners mean less exposure. Having mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner greatly decreases your risk.
• Avoid Intoxication: Alcohol or drugs can impair judgment and lead to unsafe sex. Staying sober reduces the risk of forgetting protection.
• Use Dental Dams: Using a dental dam while giving oral sex can make transmission less likely.
   

2. Get Regular Screenings

Gonorrhea is often asymptomatic, so regular STI screenings are important. Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include annual gonorrhea testing for the following types of individuals:
 

• Women under 25 who are sexually active, as well as older women, face a greater risk.
• Men who have sex with men should be tested at least annually.
• Women at risk of carrying an infection should also be tested early in pregnancy.
   

Screening tests for gonorrhea are designed to identify the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. The methods available for testing gonorrhea are:

• Urine Test: A urine test is done to check for bacteria.
• Swab Test: The healthcare provider takes a sample from the infected area, such as the cervix, urethra, or rectum.
   

Early detection means prompt treatment and fewer complications.

3. Watch for Symptoms

Gonorrhea can be symptomless, so watch out for any changes, such as:

• Symptoms in men include a painful burning feeling when urinating and possibly a discharge from the penis of white, yellow, or green fluid.
• Women may notice pain or burning with urination, increased vaginal discharge, or bleeding between periods.
• Discharge, anal itching, or anal pain may signal rectal gonorrhea.
   

See a healthcare provider if you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Remember, routine screening is the best protection, even if you feel fine.

4. Seek Prompt Treatment if Infected

Unlike many other infections, the body does not develop immunity against gonorrhea. So, you can get infected again when exposed. The good news is that it is treatable with the right antibiotics. One just needs to consult with a doctor and take the full prescribed dose.

After treatment for the infection, avoid sexual activity for at least 7 days to make sure the infection is gone. It is essential to treat both partners to prevent the risk of reinfection.

CDC suggests having a follow-up test about 3 months following treatment, to make sure the infection has cleared.

5. Healthcare Resources

For STI testing and treatment, the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in India runs free Suraksha clinics. There are also many government health centers that screen for STIs.

Preventing gonorrhea is all about safe practices and staying informed. Consistently using condoms, limiting partners, and getting tested can greatly reduce your risk. Also, if you do get infected, effective treatment is available, so seek medical help right away.