Timing when gonorrhea appears, its causes and treatment

Severe symptoms of gonorrhea in women appear 5–10 days after infection. The most characteristic symptom is the appearance of yellowish, green discharge with a rotten odor. In the absence of therapy at this stage, an ascending infection quickly occurs, which affects the bladder, uterus, and appendages.

Gonorrhea in women is accompanied by yellowish discharge and an unpleasant odor

The first signs of infection in women

A feature of the manifestation of gonorrhea in women is the likelihood of asymptomatic development of the disease. Some symptoms are initially misdiagnosed by patients. The disease is accompanied by white-yellow vaginal discharge, which is almost identical to thrush. Pain in the urethra is similar to cystitis. Treating the disease based on symptoms is not successful. To properly get rid of gonorrhea, you need to undergo a course of examination and get tested.

The incubation period of gonorrhea ranges from 5 to 10 days, depending on individual factors. Some women find out about the disease unexpectedly. Their disease develops almost asymptomatically. Signs of gonorrhea in women include frequent urination and slight discomfort in the genitals. The first symptoms are expressed in those parts of the body through which the gonococcus entered the body. Often a signal of illness is general weakness, hand tremors, and fever.

Classification

The disease is classified according to duration:

  • fresh – the infection and development of the infectious process are no more than two months old;
  • chronic – more than two months have passed since infection.

In the fresh form of the disease there are:

  • spicy;
  • I'll sharpen the form.

Chronic gonorrhea in women is also divided into several subtypes:

  • asymptomatic;
  • latent;
  • hidden;
  • acute;
  • subacute

In addition, depending on the localization of the infectious process, a fresh form and a chronic ascending form are distinguished. In the latter case, the infectious process can affect:

  • pelvic peritoneum;
  • fallopian tubes;
  • ovaries.

Inflammation of the endometrium of the uterus cannot be ruled out.

The shape affects how gonorrhea manifests itself in women. However, you do not need to start treatment on your own, even if you are completely confident in the diagnosis. The treatment regimen, the selection of drugs - all this lies within the competence of a qualified doctor.

Gonorrhea symptoms

Of particular importance is the method of contact with an infected man. If normal sexual intercourse was performed, the gonococcus enters the vagina and uterus. In other forms of sexual intercourse, it enters the body through the duodenum or pharynx. There are general symptoms of gonorrhea in women and those characteristic of a specific individual situation. The second group includes watery eyes, sore throat, frequent urge to urinate, and inflammation of the rectum.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in women are:

  • cloudy or white-yellow vaginal discharge;
  • sharp sore throat (resembles a cold, but is not accompanied by additional symptoms);
  • bleeding between menstrual cycles;
  • pain in the lower abdomen;
  • difficult, painful urination.

Symptoms of gonococcal infection appear a few days after contact or remain invisible for a long time. In the acute form of the disease, the symptoms are always pronounced. A woman notices the first signs after 10-14 days. The labia become red, itching and pain are felt during urination, and a copious cloudy yellow mass is discharged from the vagina. The patient experiences frequent headaches, general weakness and apathy.

Gonorrhea may develop asymptomatically and not manifest itself for several months. Such signs are characteristic of the chronic form of the disease. The risk of the disease increases due to the risk of developing additional complications. A woman learns about the fact of infection with gonorrhea during the diagnosis of infertility, the discovery of scars on the fallopian tubes or other abnormalities of the body.

Prevention

  • prevention of infectious diseases;
  • use of barrier contraceptives;
  • avoiding frequent changes of sexual partners;
  • refusal of drugs, excessive amounts of alcohol.

Once again, it is worth noting that you cannot self-medicate without an accurate diagnosis from a doctor. Such actions can lead to significant complications.

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One of the classic sexually transmitted infections is gonorrhea. The first mention of this disease dates back to the 2nd century BC, when the ancient Roman physician and philosopher Galen first described patients with typical symptoms of the disease.

What is gonorrhea in women?

Gonorrhea (one of the popular names for “grip”) is a disease that is sexually transmitted. In women, the disease is often asymptomatic, leading to the development of chronic inflammatory processes and infertility.

The causative agent of the disease is gonococcus - the bacterium enters the body through unprotected sexual contact and becomes the cause of the development of a specific inflammatory process.

Gonorrhea is caused by non-motile bean-shaped gonococcus bacteria (Neisseria gonorrhoeae). They were first seen under a microscope by the German dermatologist A. Neisser, who gave them his name.

These microbes accumulate in purulent discharge, where they can remain viable for a long time. Thus, the bacterium lives in human purulent secretions for 24 hours. In the external environment, gonococci are unstable. They cannot tolerate low or high temperatures, but love high humidity.

  • They are highly sensitive to antibiotics from the penicillin group and streptomycin, but during therapy they can become resistant to most antibacterial agents.

Transmitted through any type of sexual contact (oral, anal and vaginal). There is also a household route of transmission, when a woman uses personal hygiene items of a patient with gonorrhea, which have received drops of pus with bacteria.

Diagnostic methods

The fact of infection with gonococcus is confirmed by laboratory tests. A visual examination or patient complaints are not enough to accurately establish the fact of a sexually transmitted disease. The doctor prescribes a number of procedures that the woman needs to undergo. Mandatory among them are culture, blood and urine tests, general smear. Diagnosis is carried out based on the results of the following procedures and tests:

  • smear on the flora (vaginal discharge, cervix, urethra are examined, the inflammatory process is established);
  • enzyme immunoassay and direct immunofluorescence (discharge from the urethra, vagina, and cervix are examined for the presence of pathogen antigens);
  • DNA diagnostics (urine is also examined with secretions);
  • culture (discharge from the vagina, urethra, and pharynx is taken for examination);
  • detection of antibodies in the blood (the material for analysis is blood).

Blood and urine are considered the best indicators for determining inflammation in the body. During the development of sexually transmitted diseases, the number of leukocytes changes. Based on a comprehensive examination and the patient’s complaints, the doctor makes a diagnosis of the presence or absence of gonorrhea. If infection is detected, the disease is treated in several stages. The drugs are selected according to the form of the disease and the characteristics of the woman’s body.

Control

It is not enough to know how to treat gonorrhea; the woman must be examined after therapy to establish the absence of the disease. 3 controls are carried out. The first control is 7-10 days after the last dose of the antibiotic, 2 subsequent ones - with an interval of 1 month. To obtain a more reliable result, before taking smears for analysis, a provocation is carried out, that is, some means is used to activate the gonococcus. Provocation happens:

  • chemical - treatment of the urethra, cervical canal with a solution of silver nitrate;
  • biological - administration of gonovaccine;
  • nutritional - eating spicy and salty foods;
  • thermal - inductothermy;
  • physiological - taking samples during menstruation;
  • combined - a combination of several types of provocations.

Smears are taken 3 days in a row, 24, 48 and 72 hours after provocation.

After suffering from gonorrhea (gonorrhea), immunity is not formed. A new infection is possible.

Book symptoms of gonorrhea include:

  • purulent discharge from the urethra (white, yellow or green),
  • pain and pain when urinating,
  • frequent painful urge to empty the bladder.

If the disease develops according to the classic scenario, then the woman’s first signs will appear within a few days.

Only 50% of women have no symptoms of gonorrhea. This is due to the characteristics of the body, due to which the course of the disease differs from that in men. Next we will talk about all types of manifestations of gonorrhea in women: asymptomatic, uncomplicated and complicated.

Video about symptoms and treatment of gonorrhea in women

To learn how to identify gonococci, the symptoms of gonorrhea in women, what they are and how to deal with them, watch the video below. Experts provide answers to the most frequently asked questions and explain in detail some important nuances using photos and layouts. After watching the video, even a person who is not very knowledgeable about medical issues will have no doubts when signs of a sexually transmitted disease appear.

Gonorrhea in women is a sexually transmitted pathology, the causative agent of which is gonococcal infection. Mostly infection occurs through sexual contact. Less common are cases of household infection with the virus (through washcloths, dirty linen, towels). Most often, gonococci affect organs of the genitourinary system with columnar epithelium: paraurethral and vestibular glands, urethra, fallopian tubes, and cervix. With anal-vaginal contact, the infection affects the rectum, which leads to the occurrence of gonorrheal proctitis. Genital-oral contact provokes the development of gonorrheal tonsillitis, stomatitis and pharyngitis.

Grip in women, even with an acute course of the pathology, occurs unnoticed, without pronounced clinical manifestations. As a result, the pathology is rarely diagnosed in the early stages, which leads to serious consequences (infertility, inflammatory pathologies of the pelvic organs). To avoid complications, you should know what gonorrhea looks like in women and if any symptoms occur, you should make an appointment with a venereologist.

The most common clinical manifestations of gonorrhea in women include thick vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor, pain and burning when urinating, sharp, nagging pain in the lower abdomen and fever.

Pathogenesis, etiology, causative agent of gonorrhea

Gonorrhea (popular name - gonorrhea) refers to sexually transmitted infections, since the main route of transmission of the pathogen to a healthy person is sexual. Despite this, gonococcus can be detected in the biological material of the rectum, since it is located in close proximity to the groin area, as well as the ocular conjunctiva. In case of unprotected oral contact with an infected partner or carrier of the infection, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the Latin name of the pathogen) can be sown in the discharge from the throat and oropharynx. When prescribing treatment and selecting treatment tactics, it is necessary to study biological material, since Neisseria diplococcus has more than 20 species, some of which may be insensitive to traditional bacterial preparations.

What is gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a combined name for an infection that can cause various diseases of the urogenital tract, bladder and other organs of the genitourinary system. The most common pathologies in women caused by bacteria of the gonococcus group are urethritis and salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes). When the rectum is damaged, which is often the result of poor intimate hygiene, proctitis develops. Other diseases that can complicate gonorrhea are listed in the table below.

Diseases due to infection with gonococci in women

Name of pathologyImageWhat it is?
PharyngitisInflammation of the pharynx with damage to lymphoid structures
BlennoreaPurulent inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva, which is most often provoked by bacteria of the Neisseria group
CervicitisAn inflammatory process occurring in the vaginal part of the cervix and cervical canal
ArthritisDamage to joint tissue (quite rare - less than 3.8%)

Description of the disease gonorrhea

Note! In the vast majority of cases, the localization of the pathological process is the mucous membranes of the genital organs, urethra, and bladder. If the disease is not treated in time, the infection will rise further, and the uterine appendages and cervix will be involved in the inflammatory process. In nulliparous women with prolonged gonorrhea, the risk of miscarriages and complications during future pregnancies is several times higher compared to patients who received timely therapy.

Gonorrhea in women: when do the first symptoms and signs appear?

The incubation period for gonorrhea lasts from 3-8 days to several weeks. The first signs of gonorrhea in women usually appear 5-6 days after infection. Lengthening or shortening the latent period depends on the characteristics of the body’s protective functions. In patients with weak immunity (previous infectious disease, chemotherapy, steroid treatment, etc.), the first clinical manifestations occur within 24-48 hours. Late onset of symptoms is due to the presence of good immunity or the use of antibacterial drugs for the treatment of other pathologies. In part, it is the use of antibiotics that causes asymptomatic or subtle progression of gonorrhea.

Treatment and prevention

It is important to start therapy in a timely manner. When the first symptoms of gonorrhea appear, a woman should immediately seek medical help. Complications of the infectious disease are such severe pathologies as cystitis, parametritis, endometritis, infertility, inflammation of the pelvic organs, uterine organs, tubes, and appendages.

Treatment of the disease comes down to:

  • taking antibiotics (course);
  • the use of special antiseptic solutions and aerosols;
  • physiotherapeutic procedures;
  • restoring the balance of microflora with the help of special preparations (probes and prebiotics).

A follow-up examination through both partners is required 14-20 days after the end of treatment.

Preventing gonococcus infection is not difficult. To do this, a woman needs to follow simple recommendations from doctors. It is mandatory to use barrier contraception, exclude casual sex, adhere to the rules of intimate hygiene, and undergo regular examinations with a gynecologist (2 times a year).

How does gonorrhea manifest in women?

Signs and symptoms of gonorrhea are associated with those organs that have been affected by gonococcus. During sexual contact, gonorrheal infection from the urethra penetrates the genital tract, primarily affecting the uterus. Further ascent of the pathogen is accompanied by the involvement of the appendages (tubes, ovaries), lining of the uterus and peritoneum in the pathological process. Damage to the mucous membranes of the urethra and rectum occurs when vaginal-anal intimacy or infected discharge enters the anus or urethra from the vagina. Gonorrheal pharyngitis, which occurs after oral-genital intercourse, is often diagnosed.

The first sign that occurs in women with gonorrhea is thick white or yellow vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Most women mistake this symptom for a manifestation of nonspecific colpitis or thrush and resort to attempts at self-medication, which erases the clinical picture of gonorrhea.

In addition to leucorrhoea, burning, itching, and a tickling sensation in the vagina or perineum may be bothersome. A gynecological examination shows that the cervix is ​​somewhat swollen and has a bright scarlet color. The listed signs indicate the development of gonorrheal cervicitis.

When the appendages and endometrium in the lower abdomen are affected, nagging or sharp pain occurs, the temperature rises, purulent discharge with blood appears, and signs of intoxication appear (appetite disorder, vomiting, nausea, malaise, weakness). In such a case, they talk about the development of gonorrheal salpingoophoritis or endometritis. Damage to the pelvic organs is accompanied by painful sensations during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).

Infection with a gonococcal infection of the urethra provokes the development of gonorrheal urethritis. Which is characterized by frequent, painful urination. The urethra becomes hyperemic, painful on palpation, and swollen. There is a false urge to urinate. As the infection progresses, the kidneys and bladder may be affected.

Gonorrheal proctitis (damage to gonococcal infection of the rectum) is manifested by burning, itching in the anus, false urges (tenesmus) and painful defecation. Yellow, often streaked with blood, discharge from the anus may be observed. A visual examination reveals redness of the anus and the presence of pus in the folds of the anus.

Gonorrheal pharyngitis (infection with oral gonococci) is similar in clinical picture to ordinary sore throat. There is pain when swallowing, sore throat, enlarged submandibular lymph nodes, and increased temperature. In most cases, pharyngitis is accompanied by mild symptoms (hoarseness, sore throat).

Signs of chronic gonorrhea in women

The chronic form of gonorrhea develops in the absence or incorrectly prescribed treatment of gonorrheal infection in the early stages of its development. It occurs with mild symptoms. Clinical manifestations are completely invisible or mild. Symptoms of chronic gonorrhea include vaginal discharge, periodic and aching pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. Chronic inflammation of the uterus is accompanied by disruption of the menstrual cycle, the appearance of intermenstrual bleeding (blood discharge between menstruation). In this case, menstruation becomes more abundant, longer and can cause an exacerbation of infection (urethritis, adnexitis, endometritis, cervicitis).

Gonococci prefer to infect the cylindrical epithelium, so they do not affect the vaginal mucosa, represented by squamous epithelium. However, pregnant women suffering from vulvovaginitis and virgins may experience damage to the vaginal epithelium.

Timely diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. If there is any suspicion of a gonococcal infection, a woman should seek help from a venereologist and undergo the necessary tests.

Gonorrhea is one of the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections. A person who is sexually active should know how the disease is transmitted and the first signs of infection.

These will help you avoid an unpleasant illness and consult a specialist in a timely manner to avoid negative consequences.

Causes of the disease and risk factors

Gonorrhea, gonorrhea or blenorrhea, is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus). Gonorrhea is a fairly common bacterial disease, and its transmission from person to person usually occurs during sexual intercourse, either through vaginal, oral or anal sex. Gonorrhea is a highly contagious disease, therefore, in all countries of the world, close attention is paid to each outbreak of its occurrence. According to statistics, every year blennorrhea infects one person out of 687.

Gonorrhea: what is it?

  • vagina (during traditional sexual intercourse);
  • urethra (close proximity to the genitals contributes to the spread of infection to the urethra);
  • rectum (during anal sex);
  • pharynx (during oral sex);
  • eyes (poor hygiene, infection of the baby during childbirth).

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by gonococcus (Neisseria gonorrhoeae). The route of infection is unprotected sexual contact with a sick partner.

However, for the disease to develop, a sufficient number of bacteria must be ingested. The risk of infection during traditional sexual intercourse is 100% (with oral sex it is lower due to the antibacterial properties of saliva).

Therefore, you should not try your luck and neglect the basic rules of protection (condoms). Also, a large number of women engaged in prostitution suffer from asymptomatic gonococcal pharyngitis.

You should not be afraid of the household route of transmission of gonococcus: through towels, in bathhouses/swimming pools, through toilet seats. The bacterium dies too quickly outside the human body and is not capable of causing disease.

Infection with gonococcus outside of sexual intercourse is possible only in the following cases:

  • infection of the newborn during childbirth (usually gonococcal conjunctivitis is diagnosed);
  • if a child sleeps in the same bed with a sick parent, subject to gross non-compliance with hygiene standards.

Ways of infection with gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease of an infectious nature. It is caused by gonococci, microbes that resemble coffee beans in appearance. The peculiarities of infection transmission are determined by the biological properties of the pathogen: it is extremely resistant to adverse factors while in the human body and quickly dies in the environment.

Therefore, the predominant method of transmission of infection is sexual, since gonococcus lives here. Another feature of gonococcus is its ability to transform into L-forms, an inactive state. At the same time, the infection does not reveal itself clinically, but it is possible to infect another person.

Expert opinion

Daria Shirochina (obstetrician-gynecologist)

In 2020, strains of gonococcus were officially established that are not sensitive to any known antibacterial drug. Some scientists believe that after some time, gonorrhea may become a kind of “plague” and quickly spread throughout the population. Sexual fidelity and maintaining virginity before marriage are the most reliable ways to prevent infection.

Gonococcal infection is one of the most ancient; it is mentioned in the annals of Egypt and descriptions of Europe in ancient centuries, along with syphilis.

Of all routes of transmission, 95-98% are sexual. Moreover, this can be either classic vaginal contact or rectal or oral contact. The main condition for infection is that a sufficient number of pathogens must reach the mucous membranes - not one or ten, but several thousand.

Infection in women occurs more often, and they are more likely to be carriers of latent forms of the disease. The sensitivity of women is due to the fact that during sexual intercourse a significant amount of a man’s secretions along with gonococci penetrates into the vagina.

Infection of men through unprotected contact with a woman occurs less frequently. This is due to the fact that fewer pathogens can penetrate through the small opening of the urethra. In addition to this, a man can wash away some of the germs with a stream of urine immediately after sexual intercourse, thus protecting himself from infection.

Infection of the fetus from a sick mother is also possible - in utero and during childbirth. In the latter case, the eyes are mainly affected, therefore, to prevent gonoblenorrhea, all newborns are instilled into the conjunctival sac with a 33% solution of albucid. Intrauterine infection leads to serious consequences for the fetus, including its death.

Less common, but still encountered, is the contact and household route of infection - through towels, washcloths and other personal hygiene products. For infection to occur, it is necessary that the objects contain fresh secretions of a patient with gonorrhea in sufficient quantities. The everyday path is most typical for girls if parents do not observe basic hygiene. In this case, babies develop vulvitis and vulvovaginitis.

We recommend reading about the treatment of gonorrhea in women. From the article you will learn whether you can treat gonorrhea with one tablet, treatment regimens for acute and chronic gonorrhea. And here is more information about tests to detect hidden sexually transmitted infections.

The first signs of gonorrhea in women

Symptoms of gonorrhea in women usually appear 5-10 days after infection, although the first signs are often confused with other, more innocent diseases:

  • the appearance of discharge and itching is attributed to candidiasis (thrush);
  • Frozen feet and cystitis are blamed for pain in the lower abdomen and during urination, an increased urge to empty the bladder.

This negligent attitude towards one’s own body is aggravated by the characteristic feature of the course of gonorrhea in women: in most cases, the disease produces mild symptoms.

In men, on the contrary, gonococcal infection manifests itself quite violently. In addition, the incubation period is shortened if a woman has cervical erosion and concomitant diseases (for example, thrush), rectal fissures, or damage to the oral mucosa.

Classification

Treatment of gonorrhea in women is determined by the stage and location of inflammation. There are gonorrhea of ​​the lower and upper parts of the urogenital tract. The demarcation is the transition of the cervix into the body of the uterus. The lower sections are characterized by urethritis, cervicitis, and bartholinitis. During anal sex, the rectum is affected (proctitis). Ascending gonorrhea affects the uterus, appendages, and pelvic peritoneum (endometritis, adnexitis, pelvioperitonitis).

Oral sex can lead to sore throats. From infection to clinical manifestations it takes from 3 to 30 days. Symptoms of damage to the lower sections in women are characterized by the presence of creamy discharge from the genital tract, burning and itching in the vagina, and dysuric disorders. The general condition suffers only with acute bartholinitis: the lower third of the labia majora is swollen, painful, there are difficulties while walking, the temperature is up to 39°C. With proctitis, painful bowel movements are a concern.

Ascending gonorrhea is accompanied by more pronounced symptoms: pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes radiating to the anus, irregular periods, high fever, and pathological leucorrhoea.

Sometimes there may be no symptoms at all. This is due to the body's immune response and uncontrolled antibiotic treatment. Gonococcus continues to be present in the epithelial cells, but the symptoms are erased. Such a carrier, thinking that he is healthy, will infect his partners.

Before treating gonorrhea in women, it is necessary to determine its stage. Fresh gonorrhea is up to 2 months old. It is classified as:

  • acute;
  • subacute;
  • torpid (low-symptomatic or asymptomatic).

Symptoms of gonorrhea in women

The symptoms of gonorrhea differ radically depending on the site of introduction of the gonococcus.

Gonorrheal vaginitis

The classic picture of gonorrhea infection (localization of infection is the vagina):

  • Discharge from gonorrhea in women is yellowish-white with an unpleasant odor (pus);
  • burning, severe pain when urinating, possible discharge of pus from the urethra, its external opening swells and turns red;
  • nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
  • extramenstrual bleeding (usually mild, spotting).

The most severe symptoms are observed in pregnant women.

Gonorrheal pharyngitis and stomatitis

With the oral route of infection, gonorrheal stomatitis is formed (inflammation of the gums with the formation of purulent ulcers, with the development of the disease, enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes) and pharyngitis. The latter is almost always asymptomatic.

Sometimes sick women note:

  • sore throat (rarely intense);
  • increased salivation;
  • swelling, redness of the tonsils and palatine arches, the appearance of purulent foci on them (sometimes confused with ordinary sore throat).

Gonorrheal proctitis

Gonorrheal inflammation of the rectum occurs both during anal sex and during traditional sexual intercourse (infection of the rectum with vaginal discharge). Often, damage to the rectum is manifested only by itching in the anal area and mucopurulent discharge.

As the pathology develops, pain occurs during defecation, blood streaks are present in the stool, and the intestinal mucosa becomes covered with purulent plaque.

Gonococcal conjunctivitis

Infection of the eye mucosa with gonococcus (blennorrhea) provokes vivid symptoms: swollen eyelids are literally glued together with purulent discharge, the eye mucosa is hyperemic, in advanced cases - clouding of the cornea and decreased vision.

After 1.5 - 2 months from the onset of the disease, in the absence of appropriate therapy, women are diagnosed with chronic gonorrhea.

Preventing gonorrhea - simple steps

Preventive measures for gonorrhea are reduced to the prevention of casual sex and the use of barrier methods of contraception (condoms).

If questionable unprotected sexual intercourse does occur, you need to use emergency drug prevention methods. Before using this method, you should consult a venereologist.

Gonorrhea is a well-known and unpleasant disease that affects both women and men. In the fair sex, the symptoms are mild, so the disease can exist for a long time and is often diagnosed at the chronic stage.

To avoid this, you need to undergo annual routine examinations and monitor casual sex.

The topic of gonorrhea has been relevant for centuries. The name of the disease was given by the famous ancient physician Galen back in the 2nd century BC. So many years have passed, but, despite the successes of the pharmacological industry, humanity has not been able to eliminate this disease. More than 200,000 new cases of gonorrhea are reported annually.

The disease belongs to the group of sexually transmitted diseases; in 80% of cases it is combined with other STDs, such as trichomoniasis, candidiasis, chlamydia, and human papillomavirus.

The infectious agent in this disease is diplococcus (Neisser's gonococcus), which affects the columnar epithelium. The source is a sick person or a carrier; in 99% of women, they become infected during sexual intercourse. In everyday life, the route of infection is possible if there has been contact with the patient’s wet discharge, because when the gonococcus dries, it dies. Male gonorrhea is slightly less common than. Children become infected from their mothers in a shared bed or when using shared hygiene items (washcloths, towels).

Diagnosis of gonorrhea

For any pathological symptoms that arise in the genitals, you should immediately consult a venereologist.

Tests for gonorrhea in women:

  1. A regular vaginal smear - gonorrhea is not always detected even with severe symptoms; a large number of leukocytes are usually recorded, red blood cells are possible, and a fungus is often cultured.
  2. PCR and culture are the most informative methods for identifying gonococcus and other infectious agents.

In the chronic form, detection of gonorrhea requires provocation with Pyrogenal according to a certain scheme. After the injection, the patient experiences a flu-like state: fever, muscle pain, weakness.

Possible complications

For women, this disease is extremely dangerous, since when it becomes chronic, the following complications may develop:

  • frigidity;
  • miscarriage;
  • complications during childbirth;
  • development of adhesions leading to infertility;
  • damage to other parts of the genitourinary system, with all the ensuing consequences.

To prevent the development of such serious and partly irreversible complications, you need to see a doctor immediately - as soon as the first symptoms appear, and not prescribe medications to yourself.

Treatment of gonorrhea in women

When treating any sexually transmitted disease, including gonorrhea, the following rules should be strictly observed:

  • Avoid any sexual intercourse for the period of treatment.
  • All sexual partners of a woman with whom she had contact during the expected period of infection and after it are subject to treatment.
  • Self-medication leads to chronicity of the inflammatory process.
  • The antibacterial drug, its dosage and the duration of the treatment course are determined only by a qualified venereologist, taking into account the duration of the disease and test results (repeated courses are possible).
  • Only local treatment (vaginal suppositories, ointments) does not provide recovery.
  • Recovery is confirmed only after clean tests from the vagina.

Treatment regimen:

1) Antibacterial drugs (tablets) - fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin) or cephalosporins (Cefixime) in several doses.

2) In the treatment of chronic gonorrhea, antibiotics that destroy gonococcus are often combined with the use of Trichopolum. The treatment course for the chronic form will last up to 10 days.

3) If chlamydia is simultaneously detected - tetracyclines (Doxycycline) and macrolides (Azithromycin). The dosage regimen is individual.

4) Antifungal agents (Fluconazole and its analogues) on days I, IV, VII for the prevention of vaginal candidiasis.

5) Prevention of intestinal dysbiosis after antibiotic therapy - Bifiform, Enterol (at least 2 weeks, simultaneously or after antibiotic therapy).

6) Local treatment - irrigation with antiseptics (Furacilin), vaginal suppositories (Terzhinan), drugs to restore vaginal microflora (prescribed after a course of antibiotics, a good remedy is Epigen-intimate spray).

Complications of gonorrhea in women are very serious:

  • bartholinitis - inflammation of large paired glands in the vestibule of the vagina, often requiring surgical intervention;
  • the formation of cervical erosion - a non-healing defect of the mucous membrane;
  • spread of infection to the uterine cavity and appendages (operation is often performed);
  • disruption of the menstrual cycle;
  • frigidity - decreased libido;
  • miscarriage due to infection in early pregnancy;
  • oxygen starvation of the fetus, premature birth and sepsis of newborns due to infection in late pregnancy;
  • death of the eyeball of a baby infected during childbirth;
  • obstruction of the fallopian tubes and ectopic pregnancy;
  • infertility, often persistent;
  • joint damage;
  • in the most severe cases - peritonitis, damage to the heart and brain.

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the presence of concomitant diseases and the size of the affected area, the doctor decides on one treatment method or another. The standard method is antibacterial therapy. When prescribing this method of treatment, the doctor pays attention to the mandatory treatment of the woman’s sexual partner, a complete ban on alcohol consumption and sexual rest for the duration of the therapy.

The regimen for prescribing antibacterial drugs depends on the severity of the infection. If there is a “fresh” infection, the following drugs may be prescribed:

  1. Ceftriaxone 0.25 g.
  2. Sumamed
  3. Cefixime

In case of advanced infection, the doctor may prescribe intramuscular antibiotics. Antibiotics can also be combined with some antifungal drugs. After drug treatment, it is recommended to take medications that restore normal vaginal microflora.

Treatment of anal lesions occurs by administering rectal suppositories containing protargol and a course of taking chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin. The use of protargol rectally promotes the formation of a protective film on the affected areas of the rectal mucosa.

Read: Angiovitis when planning pregnancy: the effect of the drug

If the mucous membrane of the throat and oral cavity is affected, antibiotics belonging to the groups of fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins can be used: Ceftriasone, Penicillin, Ampicillin. After defeating the gonococcus, drugs and procedures are also prescribed to strengthen and restore the mucous membranes of the throat and mouth: antihistamines and rinses with pharmacological agents.

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