Conditions
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea (otherwise known as ‘the clap’) is the second most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK, and commonly affects young men aged 20-24 years and women aged 16-19. The bacterium that causes the infection is found mainly in the semen and vaginal fluids of infected men and women, so it’s easily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact. Some of the symptoms – discharge from the penis or vagina, and a burning sensation when urinating – are particularly unpleasant. Furthermore, untreated gonorrhoea can cause serious health problems in later life, so it’s best to seek treatment from your GP or GUM clinic. Historically, sailors who displayed symptoms of gonorrhoea were subjected to an injection of mercury through the tip of the penis (which is enough to bring floods of tears to any man’s eyes!) Thankfully, however, treatment has moved on and now consists of a single dose of antibiotics, which is administered either by pill or injection (but not into the penis).
A free online Gonorrhoea postal test for people aged under-25 is available in some areas. Go to www.freetest.me. for more details.
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I was just wondering if the treatment for gonnorrhoea treating all areas, so for example if I had been tested for it in the vagina and I am given treatment, if I also had rectal gonnorrhoea would the treatment cure that too?
Hi can you get tested for things like Gonorrhoea whilst on your period? because im really worried and need to get tested as soon as possible
Hi i'm 26 and have been with my boyfriend for 3 years. When we were 6 months into our relationship I found out I had chlamydia and told my boyfriend thinking it was brought to the relatonship by one of our previous sexual partners, he says he went to the sexual healh clinic to get checked out but came back with a negative result. Is it possible for one sexual partner not to catch a sti considering it was 6 months later. Also, I am now paranoid all of the time which doesn't help that I can now smell myself down bellow toward the end of the day, could this smell be something other than an sti or do I need to start questionning my relationship?
hi, i was on my period for 4 weeks and it started to get a smell so i went to my GP and she gave me sum medication and i took it for 2days then the smell whent away i didnt finish the pack but now my discharge has gone more thicker. do you know what is going on down their
Hi,well i have been in a relationship for quite a bit now, im 17 but have just found out i have clomidea,but im worried about the treatment as i have never been able to take tablet at any size please help?
Hi I'm only 14 and haven't had sex yet obviously and my vagina seems to be sore it doesn't hurt when I pee Thnks
Hi, I have been diagnosed with gonorrhea, but i dont know how to tell my boyfriend of a year. neither of us have cheated, and im not sure who give it to who. but im worried i may become infertile! as i will want children in a few years. please help!
Hi, I've recently had a colonoscapy and have been found to have CN1. This is being 'monitored' as I am 19 and they want to see if it clears up by itself. Although, I am getting a vaginal discharge which looks to be normal from what I've found from the information on this website. However, there is a smell along with it. Even if i've had a shower in the morning, I can generally smell something by the evening. I have never had sex without a condom, and doubt I have an STI because of the colonoscapy? Please could you help, I'm fairly worried that other people notice the smell.
hi im 16 and just come out from a sexual relationship and sometimes i get a slight burning pain feeling when i pee what is this and what can i do about it thanks.
Hi Ive been worried for a while since I started having sex. I have quite alot of discharge and Im always paranoid about a smell coming from my vagina. I also have the contraceptive impant,this causes irregular periods but reading the symptoms has made me worry it's a sign also. I'm worried it could be this sti but don't know what to do,can you help me?
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here



The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.