Gonorrhea symptoms in men and women: these are the differences

The gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection (STI) caused by bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae and it affects both men and women, although the symptoms can vary in both sexes. It is also important to note that some infected people may not have symptoms, making diagnosis difficult and increasing the risk of spreading the disease. However, when symptoms are present, they can differ significantly between men and women.

In the menthe symptoms of gonorrhea are usually more obvious and, according to Medline Plus, may include the following:

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1. Urethral discharge. One of the most common symptoms is the presence of a yellowish, white or green discharge coming from the penis. This discharge may be thick and have a strong, unpleasant odor.
2. Pain when urinating. Many men experience pain or burning when urinating, which may be a sign of inflammation in the urethra.
3. Scrotum inflammation. In some cases, the infection can spread to the scrotum, causing inflammation and pain in this area.
4. Testicular pain. Gonorrhea can also cause pain and inflammation in one or both testicles, known as epididymitis.
5. Itching or irritation in the genital area. Some men may experience itching, irritation, or a burning sensation around the penis.

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On the other hand, in the women, the symptoms of gonorrhea can be more subtle and are often confused with other gynecological conditions. These are some of the most common symptoms:

1. Abnormal vaginal discharge. Infected women may experience abnormal vaginal discharge that may be yellowish, white, or green. This discharge may have a strong, unpleasant odor.
2. Pain during urination. As in men, women may also experience pain or burning when urinating due to inflammation in the urethra.
3. Lower abdominal pain. Gonorrhea can cause pain in the lower abdomen, which is often confused with menstrual cramps or general abdominal discomfort.
4. Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods. Some infected women may experience irregular vaginal bleeding, which may occur between menstrual periods.
5. Pain during sexual intercourse. Sexual activity can become painful for infected women, which may be due to inflammation of the reproductive organs.

It is important to note that some women infected with gonorrhea may not experience any visible symptoms, increasing the risk of serious complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, or ectopic pregnancy. For their part, men can suffer complications such as epididymitis, which can cause damage to the testicles and affect fertility. For this reason, it is essential to perform STI screening on a regular basis, especially if you have multiple sexual partners and do not use protection.

According to the latest reports from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Spain is the country with the most cases of gonorrhea registered in the European Union. In 2022, they were notified 23,333 cases of gonococcal infection in our country, a figure that doubles that of the previous year. The highest rates of this STI were recorded in Catalonia (121.88), the Basque Country (63.82), Madrid (58.89) and the Balearic Islands (48.61), while the lowest were reported in Melilla (4 .83), Extremadura (6.94), Castilla La Mancha (10.30) and Asturias (10.54).

The age groups with the highest rates of gonorrhea were those from 20 to 24 years (198.23) and those from 25 to 34 years (167.60), being higher in men than in women in all age groups. age.