The growing problem of untreatable gonorrhoea

Over the last 10 years, there has been a decrease in the number of new diagnoses of many STIs. But don’t celebrate too soon, because the number of cases of gonorrhoea has increased. What is even more alarming is the fact that gonorrhoea is becoming more and more difficult to treat. In fact, experts predict that it could actually become completely untreatable in the future. Read on as the sexual health experts at YourGP explain why.

What is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is an STI caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex with an infected partner. Common symptoms for men can include painful or swollen testicles, and common symptoms for women can include:

• Pain when urinating
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Pain during sexual intercourse

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Symptoms of gonorrhoea usually appear up to two weeks after exposure to the infection. It is usually treated with antibiotics, however, in recent years gonorrhoea has become increasingly resistant to certain antibiotics. In fact, the chief medical officer for England, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, has described gonorrhoea as “One of the most highly drug-resistant organisms we have”. This means we now face the very real possibility that gonorrhoea could become completely untreatable in the future.

What happens if gonorrhoea is left untreated?

If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to a serious health problems and complications including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

How can you protect yourself from gonorrhoea?

The best ways to protect yourself from gonorrhoea is to:

1. Use condoms during sex
2. Limit your number of sexual partners
3. Go for regular sexual health checks

Sexual health checks at YourGP

Here at YourGP, we offer a comprehensive sexual health check service which tests for a wide range of STIs including gonorrhoea. Here’s what to expect:

• We will ask you a series of questions about your symptoms and concerns.
• We will advise you of all costs and expected result times.
• We’ll take any necessary swabs, blood or urine samples.
• Your samples will be couriered directly to our laboratory, Monday – Saturday, allowing for the quickest possible result time.
• You can then call for your results between 3:30pm and 4:30pm, or we can email your results to you if you prefer.
• Any positive result can be treated or managed by our team.

What makes YourGP different

1. Short notice appointments: A ‘mystery shopper’ exercise, conducted by the Terrence Higgins Trust, examined average waiting times for appointments at UK sexual health clinics in November and December 2022. It found that waiting times for face-to-face appointments averaged 13 days. Here at YourGP, we offer same-day appointments, so you can be seen and treated as soon as possible.
2. Relaxed environment: We pride ourselves on providing a relaxed, non-judgemental environment where you can discuss any sexual health concerns in the strictest of confidence. Our highly experienced team understand what an anxious time it can be for patients waiting to get tested and receive results, so we endeavour to ensure you are as informed and comfortable as possible.
3. Discretion guaranteed: We understand that many patients prefer to keep their sexual health matters discreet, and that’s why they choose YourGP. Our two practices are conveniently located on Dundas Street and in the Dean Village, and because we offer a wide range of GP services, no one need ever know the nature of your visit.

Book your sexual health check today

Book a full sexual health check using our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 381 0322 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.