Gonorrhea In Young Women
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice.
What is Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is an infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacterium. Over the years, gonorrhea continues to be one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) around the world. This infection is caused by gram-negative bacteria — gonococcus, which easily passes from person to person. This fact explains the widespread occurrence of this pathology.
Facts about Gonorrhea
- Gonorrhea is more common in women than in men.
- Men typically see their doctor more often (the symptoms appear faster and they are more severe).
- You can get gonorrhea even after a single contact with an infected person.
The transmission of gonococci from one person to another is 50-70% in women and 25-50% in men. Most women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic. They may not be aware of pathology for a long time if infected.
Etiology of Gonorrhea
Gonococcus produces substances that accelerate the penetration to the mucous membrane. The bacteria become insensitive and resistant to the body's defense mechanisms. This type of bacteria grows fastest in warm, moist environments. Gonococcus can replicate on any mucous membrane, including the organs of the genitourinary system, oropharynx, rectum, and conjunctiva. Gonococci lose the ability to survive in the external environment. Bacteria die when heated to +55°C or exposed to ultraviolet light. Gonorrhea is very rare as a mono-infection. In 80% of cases, a person is also infected with chlamydia and/or trichomonas.
The Incubation Period for Gonorrhea
The incubation period in women can be considerably longer and in some cases, it can may for more than a month. Particular importance is given to the part of the body where infection and penetration of the pathogen occurs.
How is Gonorrhea Spread?
- Sexual contact. Through any kind of unprotected sex with an infected partner. Gonococci enter the body not only during sex and ejaculation but also through physical intimacy.
- Household contact. The main reason is non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. Infection can enter the body when using the infected person’s towels and washcloths, wearing other people's underwear, etc. This route of transmission is much less common since gonococci quickly die in the external environment. Due to easy access to the urethra and genital tract, girls develop household gonorrhea more often.
- Vertical transmission. A pregnant woman can transmit the infection to the baby during natural birth through the birth canal. There have been no cases of intrauterine infection in clinical practice.
Who is Most at Risk of Getting Gonorrhea?
- Casual sex with an unreliable partner without a condom.
- Sex workers.
- Multiple sex partners.
- A large number of sexual partners during a certain period of life.
Classification of Gonorrhea
Depending on The Severity of Symptoms
- Acute form. It is characterized by a notable clinical course of the process.
- Subacute form. It represents a smoothed course of manifestations, in some cases — almost asymptomatic.
- Torpid form. Symptoms are noted for no more than two months.
- Chronic form (occurs no earlier than two months from the moment of infection).
- Latent form (detecting gonococci from a smear; or erased, not fully expressed symptoms).
Depending on The Lesion of The Anatomic Site
- Genital gonorrhea (damage to the internal and external genital organs — the vagina, cervix, vaginal lips, etc.).
- Extragenital gonorrhea (the pathogen enters the mouth, pharynx, rectum, bladder, eyes, etc.).
Symptoms of Gonorrhea in Women
The main difference between female and male gonorrhea is that almost half of the patients have mild or no symptoms. The patients find out about the diagnosis when seeing a doctor. They come with complaints specific to other inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system.
Genital Gonorrhea
Cervicitis. It is an inflammatory disease of the cervix. Manifestations.
- Typically painless.
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse.
- Mild pain in the lower abdomen.
- Large amount of pus-like vaginal discharge with a bad smell.
- Discomfort in the external genital area.
- Skin irritation and itching.
Gonorrheal bartholinitis. The Bartholin's glands are two small glands on each side of the vagina. Manifestations.
- The glands become inflamed and swollen.
- Intense pain.
- Women develop a Bartholin's abscess.
Gonococcal endometritis. This is an inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus — the endometrium. Manifestations:
- Bloody, serous or purulent discharges from the genital tract.
- Dull pain in the lower abdomen and back.
- Sub-febrile temperature (37-38°C).
- Abnormal uterine bleeding.
Gonococcal salpingitis and salpingo-oophoritis. It causes inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which is usually bilateral. Manifestations.
- Sudden bout of severe pelvic and lower abdominal pain.
- Intense discomfort during exercise, sexual intercourse.
- Pain can move to the lumbar region, inner thigh.
- Changes in general well-being.
- A rise in body temperature up to 38-39°C.
- It can result in adhesion formation in the small pelvis amid an acute inflammatory process.
Gonococcal pelvioperitonitis. This is the spread of infection from the fallopian tubes to the peritoneum of the small pelvis. Manifestations.
- Sharp pain in the lower abdomen.
- Muscle tension of the anterior abdominal wall.
- Increase in body temperature up to 39°C.
- Vomiting.
- Gas retention and constipation.
Extragenital Gonorrhea
Urethritis, cystitis. Inflammation of the urinary tract (urethritis) and bladder (cystitis). Symptoms.
- Frequent urination.
- Burning and itching, or pain during urination.
- Frequent urge to use the toilet, feeling or sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- The urethra swells and becomes inflamed, painful to touch.
- Deterioration in general health, malaise.
- Weakness.
- Increased body temperature.
What Complications Can Gonorrhea Cause?
Despite the effectiveness and simplicity of treatment, gonorrhea can cause major complications. It usually happens in the case of latent clinical courses, delayed or inadequate treatment.
- A persistent inflammation of the inner lining of the uterine cavity — chronic endometritis.
- Formation of adhesions in the fallopian tubes and uterine cavity.
- Chronic pain in the pelvis and abdomen.
- Infertility.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
- The infection in people with weakened immune systems can spread throughout the body and cause the following complications: Joint damage, Disruption of the heart muscle, Corneal damage, Damage to the meninges, Skin damage.
- Gonorrhea in pregnancy may be associated with a higher risk of: Miscarriage, Premature birth, Cervical insufficiency (early shortening of the cervix), Intrauterine growth retardation, Intrauterine fetal demise.
Diagnosis of Gognorea
Any qualified doctor can easily set the diagnosis. Prior to testing for gonorrhea, you should.
- Abstain from sexual contact 24 hours before the test.
- Not urinate immediately before the examination.
- Not take antibiotics for at least 14 days.
- Not use vaginal suppositories and other topical medications for 48 hours.
- Not get tested during menstruation.
Gonorrhea — Clinical features
- All sexual partners must undergo treatment!
- You must avoid all sexual contact while you are being treated.
- You should not have any sexual contact for 7 days after treatment.
- Treatment programs are selected strictly individually, depending on the nature of the disease and its form.
- In the absence of the effect of conservative treatment and a progressive process of acute inflammation, it is necessary to resort to surgical treatment, which includes surgical debridement of a purulent focus.
Prevention of Gonorrhea
The primary principle of prevention of gonorrhea includes avoiding unprotected sex. Normalizing sex life, refusing to have sex with random partners will help minimize the risk of infection.
Gonorrhea in women is an insidious and dangerous disease, which usually occurs due to carelessness and disregard of elementary protection rules. The period of remission is almost asymptomatic and women consider themselves to be healthy. Since there are no external manifestations of the disease, they can easily agree to unprotected sex and infect the partner.
Diseases that occur in the background of chronic gonorrhea can lead to dismal consequences. Doctors suggest that every sexually active woman over the age of 16 should receive annual screening for gonorrhea. Following safety precautions during sexual intercourse and using a condom should be a priority for every woman. Remember that gonorrhea can be re-infected if you come into contact with an infected person!