WHC Offers Nonjudgemental

STI Testing & Treatment!

Confidential - For Men & Women

EASY TO TEST & TREAT

PAINLESS!!

(SIMPLE URINE TEST FOR BOTH MEN & WOMEN)

GONORRHEA

(gon-o-RHEE-a)

Eighty (80%) percent of women, and ten (10%) percent of men with gonorrhea show no symptoms.

What is Gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a bacteria that is spread through sexual contact.  Many people who have gonorrhea also have chlamydia.  Most health care providers will treat for chlamydia along with treatment for gonorrhea.  About 650,000 new cases of gonorrhea are reported every year in the U.S.

Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious damage. It can cause:

• sterility
• arthritis; and
• heart problems

In men, gonorrhea can move from the penis to the prostate gland, bladder or testicles.  The testicles can swell and become sore and it may be difficult to urinate.  Men may also become sterile (unable to have children), and it can cause an infection in the joints.

In women, gonorrhea can spread into the womb (uterus) and fallopian tubes, causing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, (PID) which can result in ectopic pregnancy.  PID may cause fever and pain and can make a woman sterile (unable to have children).  During pregnancy it can cause premature labor and stillbirth; it can also cause an infection in the joints.

Symptoms

If they appear at all, symptoms occur in women within 10 days.  It takes from 1 -14 days for symptoms to appear in men.

In men:

• Thick white or yellow discharge from the penis.
• Anal discomfort, itching or discharge.

• Burning or pain during urination or bowel movement.

In women:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge or itching.
• Yellowish or yellow-green discharge from the vagina
• Burning or pain during urination or bowel movement.
• More pain than usual during periods.
• Pelvic or lower abdominal pain.
• Pain during sex or pelvic examination.
• Swelling or tenderness of the vulva.

• Anal discomfort, itching or discharge.

Testing is Fast, Easy, Painless

Testing is usually done by a simple urine test.  In some cases, depending on the individual, an alternative swab test may be used.  Testing is offered at any one of WHC's clinics.

Treatment  

Gonorrhea can be cured with proper medication from a healthcare provider.  Partners should be treated at the same time, even if they have no signs of infection.  Partners do not need to be tested to be treated if one partner has a positive STI test.  Both Partners can be successfully treated with oral antibiotics.  Stop having sex until both you and your partner are cured.  Take all the medication, even if your symptoms go away.  We recommend a follow-up exam 3 months later to be retested.  

Tell Your Partner!

Always call a healthcare provider or go to a clinic for testing at once if you experience any of the symtoms described above.

Worried?  We Can Help!

For more information call one of our offices today.

St Louis County Women's Health Center 32 East 1st St. Ste. 300 Duluth, MN  55802 218-727-3352, or 800-735-7654	Koochiching County 308 5th Street International Falls, MN  56649 218-283-6188
Carlton County 1304 Cloquet Ave Ste. D Cloquet, MN  55720 218-879-3990	Lake County  NorthShore Horizons Two Harbors, MN  55616 218-834-2240
Cook County Norshor Bldg., Ste. C Grand Marais, MN  55604 218-387-2216