Gonorrhea In Females

Humans are the only host for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is spread from person to person through sexual contact. It can spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The bacteria can occasionally be transmitted on contaminated fingers or sex toys.

The infection can affect any mucous membrane. In females, gonorrhea most often affects these areas:

• the eyes
• the rectum
• the throat
• the vagina, cervix, and urethra

In women with gonorrhea, the bacteria can travel into the fallopian tubes and peritoneal cavity. The woman may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Sometimes the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream to other areas of the body. The infection may spread to the abdomen, heart, joints, spinal cord, brain, and liver.

Most women with gonorrhea (80%) do not have any symptoms. Women who have symptoms may notice the following:

• abnormal menstrual bleeding
• abnormal vaginal discharge
• dyspareunia, or pain with intercourse
• frequent or painful urination
• pelvic pain
• rectal discomfort
• sore throat
• vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse or exercise

Gonorrhea that has spread to other parts of the body may cause a rash and fever. The person may have painful, swollen joints. Other symptoms are specific to the body part that is infected. An infection in the heart, for example, may cause heart valve problems and impaired blood flow.

Gonorrhea is caused bybacteria. The infection is transmitted during sexual contact. Gonorrhea is seen most often in teens and young adults.

Risk factors for gonococcal infections include the following:

• child abuse
• sex as a teenager
• multiple sexual partners
• unprotected sexual contact
• use of an intrauterine device, or IUD, for birth control

The risk of acquiring gonorrhea can be reduced in men and somewhat in women by the use of condoms.

Prompt treatment of the infected person and any sexual partners will prevent further spread.

Pregnant women should be routinely tested for gonorrhea and treated if they have the infection.

Diagnosis of a gonococcal infection starts with a medical history and physical exam. Thebacteria can be cultured from infected body sites.

Testing for Chlamydia, HIV and syphilis should also be offered to those diagnosed with gonorrhea. These women should also have a Pap test to screen for HPV infection. These sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are more common in people with gonococcal infections.

Gonorrhea can cause serious long-term effects if it is not treated effectively. These effects include the following:

• congestive heart failure CHF), a condition in which a weakened heart cannot pump blood effectively
• death from overwhelming sepsis or bloodstream infection
• endocarditis, which is an infection involving the heart
• increased risk for tubal pregnancy
• infertility in females and males
• meningitis, or infection of the brain and spinal cord
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or widespread infection in the pelvis
• septic arthritis, with infection of one or more joints

Gonococcal infections are very contagious. They are spread from person to person during sexual contact or childbirth. Transmission from males to females is more frequent than from females to males.

Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. These include:

• cefixime (i.e., Suprax),
• ceftriaxone (i.e., Rocephin),
• ciprofloxacin (i.e., Cipro),
• ofloxacin (i.e., Floxin) and
• levofloxacin (i.e., Levaquin).

Doxycycline (i.e., Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Periostat, Vibramycin) or azithromycin (i.e., Zithromax, Zmax) might be added to treat Chlamydia trachomatis, a disease that commonly occurs along with gonorrhea.

Pain medications can be used as needed. Infected individuals should avoid sexual contact until the infection is completely gone. Infections that involve other body organs will also need treatment.

Antibiotics may cause rash, stomach upset, and allergic reactions.

Most people recover completely if the gonococcal infection is treated effectively. Sexual partners should also be tested and treated for STIs.

Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.