Effects of Untreated Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea that is not treated can cause serious and life-long problems in both women and men.

In women, gonorrhea is a common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is an infection of a woman's pelvic organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries) that can cause infertility (not being able to get pregnant). Ectopic pregnancy, where an egg implants in the fallopian tube, can also happen due to PID, which can be life threatening. PID can also cause long lasting, or chronic, pelvic pain.

In men, this STD can cause a painful condition with the testicles, called epididymitis. This can lead to infertility if the STD is not treated. This STD, if not treated, can also affect a man's prostate and cause scarring inside the urethra, making it hard to urinate.

Gonorrhea can spread to a person's blood or joints when not treated. When this happens, the infection can become life threatening. Also, when you have this STD, it is easier to become infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. People who have both gonorrhea and HIV are more likely than people with HIV infection alone to pass HIV to someone else.

It is important to get regular check-ups for gonorrhea and other STDs if you have sex with more than one person. Get a check-up even if you don't have signs of an STD.