Gonorrhea Treatment: How Long Do Medicines Take to Work?

12/06/2025

What is gonorrhea? 

Gonorrhea stands out as one of the most common sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria called Neisseria g. This STI is also known by some other names, such as “the clap” or “drip”. People who are sexually active can easily catch this infection and pass it to other partners, regardless of age. You may also even pass gonorrhea to your baby while giving birth.

Infected people usually pass this infection to other non-infected people through sexual fluids such as semen and vaginal fluid. Your chances of contracting this infection are higher if you engage in any form of sexual activity, such as vaginal intercourse, oral sex, or anal sex, with the infected person. Even sharing sex toys with an infected person may result in increased chances of acquiring this infection. Therefore, refrain from sharing your personal things, like sex toys, with other people since it puts you and others at risk of a wide range of complications.

Gonorrhea usually doesn’t show any symptoms, which makes it hard to self-diagnose or notice. This, as a result, increases your chances of passing this infection to your sexual partners. In order to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading Gonorrhea to others, getting tested and practicing safety measures such as using condoms and dental dams during sex is highly recommended.

If you think you have this infection, don’t wait to look for the treatment. If left untreated, it may cause an array of serious complications in the long term. Antibiotics are generally recommended for treating Gonorrhea infection to prevent further complications.

Approximately 1 million cases of this infection (Gonorrhea) are reported every year in the United States. Half of these cases occur in the age group between 15 and 24.

Symptoms of Gonorrhea in women and men

Gonorrhea doesn’t cause any evident symptoms in either men or women, which makes it difficult to diagnose at an early stage. You may come across a few symptoms after several weeks of exposure to the infection, and symptoms usually vary between men and women.

50% of women don’t experience gonorrhea symptoms, which may increase their chances of passing it to other people. Getting tested for gonorrhea is usually recommended if you are sexually active or have numerous sexual partners to dwindle the overall risk. On the other hand, men infected with this infection may develop symptoms several weeks after infection, and you may unknowingly spread the infection to other people. 

Symptoms in men

• Testicular pain and swollen testicles

• White, green, or yellow discharge from your penis

• Pain or burning (possibly severe) when peeing 

Symptoms in women 

• Unusual vaginal discharge (white or yellow)

• Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)

• Pain when you pee (dysuria)

• Pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis

• Bleeding between periods

You can also get gonorrhea in the throat through oral sex and rectum through anal sex. However, these infections are uncommon compared to the one that affects your genitals.

Symptoms of throat Gonorrhea: Trouble swallowing, sore throat, itchy feeling, and scratchiness

Symptoms of anus Gonorrhea: Discharge, itching, and pain when you poop.

How long do gonorrhea’s symptoms take to appear?

After contracting gonorrhea, it may not show symptoms for several weeks. Your immune system may take some time, which may vary from one person to another, to recognize this infection. However, most people start seeing symptoms within two weeks of getting the infection.

"How do you get gonorrhea?” It is the most common question people ask. Well, the answer is below.

You usually get this infection when N. gonorrheae bacteria enter your body through sexual fluids such as semen and vaginal fluid during unprotected sex. This bacterium can go inside your body through the throat, vagina, mouth, and anus. You can also transmit this infection to other people through sex toys if they have not been cleaned or disinfected properly.

If you are a male and have sex with an infected sexual partner, you may also contract it, and vice versa. Having close genital-to-genital contact without penetration can also cause you to catch this infection.

This infection in men usually begins in the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. On the other hand, the most common site of infection in women is considered the cervix. 

Who is at greater risk of contracting gonorrhea? 

Your chances of contracting it are higher if you: 

• Don’t use protective measures such as dental dams or condoms while having sex

• Are you a man involved in sex with other men

• Are under the age of 25

• Have multiple sexual partners

• Have a history of sexually transmitted infections 

How is a gonorrhea infection treated? 

In order to treat a gonorrhea infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics. Both you and your partner will need treatment to eliminate the infection and prevent further complications. Gonorrhea’s treatment usually involves receiving one shot of ceftriaxone injection. The dosage usually varies from one person to another and depends heavily on your weight. If you seem to be allergic to ceftriaxone, you might be given gentamicin plus azithromycin, an oral antibiotic.

The doctor may also provide additional medications, such as doxycycline, to manage the co-infection of chlamydia effectively. Adhere to the guidelines shared by the doctor for effective results; don’t deviate from the recommended dosage timing.

Any treatment you opt for can’t undo the damage that the infection has caused prior to receiving the treatment, and will not prevent you from future gonorrhea infections, so follow the preventive measures.

Antibiotics will take 7 to 14 days to clear up the infection entirely. You might be asked to undergo a second gonorrhea test to ensure the infection has cleared after completing the antibiotic treatment. Make sure not to engage in sexual activity for the first seven days of the treatment to prevent the spread of the infection.

Is gonorrhea curable? Yes, gonorrhea is curable now, provided you complete the treatment and follow the doctor's instructions. You should not quit the treatment in between; even if you start feeling better, it may cause the infection to come back. 

The takeaway:

Gonorrhea stands out as the second most common sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria, after chlamydia. It affects a myriad of people worldwide every year, with the highest incidence among those aged 15 to 24. If left untreated, it may provoke severe complications in the long term, ranging from infertility in men to pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Therefore, it is important to get tested for Gonorrhea if you are sexually active, have multiple sexual partners, or have had sexual relations with someone who is infected. Gonorrhea is common and curable, but it is essential to complete the treatment prescribed by the doctor and practice preventive steps to prevent getting re-infected. While getting treated, don’t engage in sexual activities as you may pass on the infection to other people.