Gonorrhoea is caused by an infection which can affect the urethra, cervix, anus or mouth. In women gonorrhoea can spread to the tubes with a chance you may not be able to have children or there may be other problems. SYMPTOMS These differ for men and women and usually appear 2-10 days after catching the infection. Women Quite a few women may have no symptoms at all. Unusual discharge from your vagina. Burning feeling when peeing. Pain low down in the abdomen (tummy). Sometimes there may be an itchiness, soreness or discharge from your anus, usually because the infection has spread from the front. Men Yellow drip from your penis, burning feeling when peeing. There may be itchiness, soreness or discharge from your anus following anal sex. Pain may occur in your balls which may mean you will be unable to have children later on. Some men may have no symptoms at all. TREATMENT As well as treatment for gonorrhoea you may be given treatment for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including chlamydia. Men must not have a pee for 2-3 hours before seeing the STI clinic or doctor. Your partner must also be checked because they are very likely to be infected, even if there are no symptoms. See your STI clinic or doctor as soon as possible if you think you have gonorrhoea. You may have more than one STI. Tell the STI clinic or doctor if you are pregnant, or might be pregnant, before getting treatment. Tell the STI clinic or doctor if you are taking any medicine (including the pill) or have any allergies or previous bad reaction to medicines. Tell the doctor if you have any medical conditions or have recently been overseas. You and your partner must complete all treatment including taking all medicines. You must return to the STI clinic or doctor when asked to do so. Do not have sex until the doctor says you can. Counselling, advice and information are available at the STI clinic if you, or your partner, feel that you need it. Cervical cancer can be cured if the first signs are found early enough. Women who have ever had sex should have a cervical smear test at least once every 3 years - or more often if you have had a sexual infection (STI), especially genital warts or herpes. Condoms reduce the risk of catching STIs including AIDS and hepatitis B. With acknowledgement to Department of Health, New Zealand GayNZ.com - 5th August 2001