How effective is STI screening for gonorrhoea?

Testing commonly uses urine or a swab from the genital area. If you have had oral or anal sex, throat or rectal sampling may also be needed; a genital sample cannot check every exposed site. Tell the clinician which kinds of sexual contact occurred so the testing plan matches the exposure.

Gonorrhoea can cause discharge, burning when passing urine, pelvic pain, testicular pain, rectal discomfort, or a sore throat, but some infections cause no symptoms. Testing too soon after exposure may be unable to detect infection. A positive result usually leads to treatment advice, partner notification, and guidance about avoiding sex until treatment requirements are met.

Arrange testing if a partner has gonorrhoea, you have symptoms, or you have had sex without a barrier with a new or untreated partner. Share the date of exposure and any antibiotics you have taken, since these details can affect interpretation. Avoid sex until a clinician explains what is safe, particularly if symptoms are present.

If the result is positive, take treatment exactly as prescribed and ensure recent partners receive medical advice. If the result is negative but exposure was recent or symptoms continue, ask whether repeat testing or samples from another site are needed.

Seek prompt care for severe pelvic or lower abdominal pain, fever, swollen or painful testicles, eye redness with discharge, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Gonorrhoea can affect areas beyond the genitals, and eye symptoms require urgent assessment. Pregnancy with possible exposure also warrants timely medical advice.

Ask which sites need sampling, whether the timing of your test is suitable, when treatment or partner advice is needed, and what symptoms should trigger reassessment.