Diagnosis of Gonorrhea

Getting tested is the only way to find out for sure if you have this STD. It is important to get tested right away if you think you have been exposed to gonorrhea, even if you have no symptoms. Remember that most women don't have symptoms with gonorrhea.

The most common test done, particularly for women, is called a culture test. For this test, a health care provider takes a sample of fluid from the cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat. This sample is then sent to a lab for analysis. Another test, called a Gram stain, can be done right in a clinic or doctor's office. A fluid sample is placed on a slide and looked at under a microscope. This test works better for men than for women.