What are the effects of untreated gonorrhea?

Untreated gonorrhea can lead to serious complications, including:

* Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. PID is a bacterial infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It can cause infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus).

* Epididymitis in men. Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis, a tube that carries sperm from the testes to the vas deferens. It can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in the scrotum.

* Proctitis in both men and women. Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectum. It can cause rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding.

* Eye infections, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and endophthalmitis (an infection of the inside of the eye).

* Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). DGI is a rare but serious complication of gonorrhea that occurs when the bacteria spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, such as the joints, heart, and skin. DGI can be life-threatening.

In addition to these complications, untreated gonorrhea can also increase the risk of acquiring and transmitting other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

It is important to be tested for gonorrhea and other STIs and to receive treatment promptly if you are infected. If you have any symptoms of gonorrhea, such as a burning sensation when you urinate, discharge from the penis or vagina, or pain in the abdomen or genitals, see your doctor or other healthcare provider right away.