Can gonorrhoea cause pelvic inflammatory disease?

The bacteria can move from the cervix into the womb and fallopian tubes, triggering inflammation. Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, can be mild or have no obvious symptoms, so a lack of severe pain does not exclude it.

Gonorrhoea begins at an infected site such as the cervix, rectum or throat. Cervical infection may cause unusual discharge, bleeding between periods or pain when passing urine, but it can also be silent. When infection reaches the upper genital tract, PID may present with lower abdominal or pelvic pain, pain during sex, abnormal bleeding, discharge or fever.

Gonorrhoea is one cause of PID; other infections can produce the same inflammation. A positive gonorrhoea test therefore helps guide treatment, while an examination and other tests may be needed to assess pelvic pain.

Arrange prompt medical care if you may have been exposed to gonorrhoea, have symptoms, or a sexual partner has tested positive. Testing may use urine or a swab from the relevant site. Do not wait for symptoms before seeking a test after a known exposure.

Take prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed and complete the course. Avoid sexual contact until your clinician says treatment requirements have been met, symptoms have settled and partners have been managed. Recent partners may need testing and treatment to prevent infection passing back and forth. Follow any advice about repeat testing.

Seek same-day medical assessment for new pelvic or lower abdominal pain with fever, unusual discharge, bleeding between periods, pain during sex, vomiting or feeling markedly unwell. Early treatment matters because inflammation can injure the fallopian tubes and contribute to ongoing pelvic pain, fertility problems or a future pregnancy outside the womb.

Go to emergency care for sudden severe abdominal pain, fainting, confusion, persistent vomiting, heavy bleeding or possible pregnancy with pain or dizziness. These features can have causes other than PID and need urgent evaluation.

Ask which sites should be tested, whether your symptoms suggest PID, when sexual contact can resume, and how partners should obtain care. If pelvic pain continues after treatment, ask what follow-up examination or testing is appropriate.