Recognizing the causes of gonorrhea and how to prevent it

Do you know about gonorrhea or gonorrhea? This disease most commonly affects the urethra (urinary tract), rectum, eyes and throat. In women, gonorrhea can also attack the cervix (cervix). Know the causes of gonorrhea in this article.

What causes gonorrhea?

Before knowing the cause, you need to understand what gonorrhea is. Gonorrhea or also known as gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can infect men and women of all ages.

In many cases, this one sexually transmitted disease usually shows no symptoms. This makes many gonorrhea sufferers unconsciously transmit the disease to their partners.

The most typical symptom of gonorrhea in men and women is a thick yellow or green discharge that looks like pus from the urinary tract.

Not only that, but excruciating pain in the penis when urinating is also a fairly common symptom of gonorrhea.

The cause of gonorrhea is due to a bacterial infection Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

These bacteria not only attack the reproductive tract, but can also be found in the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, eyes and anal area.

The following are things that can cause you to experience gonorrhea:

1. Having sex with an infected person

Bacteria Neisseria gonorrhea often spread from one person to another through sexual contact, for example in oral, anal, or vaginal sex.

The bacteria that cause gonorrhea can pass through sperm or vaginal fluids that enter the genital area, anus, or mouth.

It is important to understand that although this disease is caused through sex, a man does not have to ejaculate in order to pass it on to his partner.

This is because in the pre-ejaculation fluid there are also bacteria that cause gonorrhea.

2. Touch an infected area

Like germs, you can get the bacteria that cause gonorrhea just from touching an infected part of the body of another person.

So, if you come into contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of someone who carries these bacteria, you are at high risk of developing gonorrhea.

3. Touch sex toys (sex toy) that is contaminated

Gonorrhea can also be transmitted from use sex toys (sex toy) that has been contaminated.

Apart from gonorrhea, use sex toys which is not sterile can cause various other diseases, such as chlamydia, syphilis, to herpes.

4. Mothers with gonorrhea infect their babies

In addition, babies can become infected during normal childbirth if the mother has gonorrhea. In infants, this disease generally attacks the eyes and has the potential to cause permanent blindness.

The gonorrhea-causing bacteria cannot survive outside the human body for very long.

That is why, Gonorrhea is not spread through toilet seats, eating utensils, sharing towels, swimming pools, sharing glasses, kisses, and hugs.

What are the risk factors for gonorrhea?

A person is at high risk of developing gonorrhea if:

1. Practicing unsafe sex

Having unsafe sex, such as having sex without a condom, can increase your risk of contracting various diseases, including gonorrhea.

Without contraception, you may get sexually transmitted diseases with just one sex.

Therefore, the best way to avoid this disease is to use a condom during sexual intercourse.

2. Mutual sex partners

Having more than one sex partner can increase your risk of developing gonorrhea.

It's not just gonorrhea, sex with more than one partner actually puts you at a higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases.

This also applies to those who have sex with someone who often has multiple partners.

This is because the bacteria that cause gonorrhea can spread easily through the genital area.

3. Have had gonorrhea before

If you have had gonorrhea before, you may have a higher risk of having it again.

The results of research published by International Journal of STD & AIDS, 40.3% of 119 people had recurrent gonorrhea infections in the urethra and rectum (anus).

In addition, this study also shows that having experienced other venereal diseases before can also increase the risk of developing gonorrhea.

How to prevent gonorrhea?

Preventing sexually transmitted diseases is easier than treating them, including gonorrhea.

The only sure way not to get this disease is to practice safe sex and regularly see a doctor, especially if you are at high risk.

You also have a lower risk if you have long-term sexual intercourse with only one person. Also make sure you are their only partner.

Not only that, there are several other ways you can prevent gonorrhea, namely:

1. Use a condom during sexual intercourse

Condoms serve as a barrier to the entry of gonorrhea-causing bacteria during sex.

Not only that, condoms will also protect you from other sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and chlamydia.

2. Test for venereal disease together with a partner

Communicate with your partner before sexual intercourse and make sure your partner does not have symptoms of this disease.

Invite your partner to do a screening test to confirm his condition. Keep in mind, a person can catch a sexually transmitted disease without knowing it because there are no symptoms.

3. Take responsibility for your sexual activity

If you have this disease or are on medication, avoid sexual intercourse with your partner until you are completely cured.

4. Perform routine screening checks for gonorrhea

Annual screening is recommended for sexually active women 25 years of age or older.

Annual screening for gonorrhea is recommended for women with the following criteria:

Have a new sexual partner,
Have more than one sexual partner.
Having multiple sexual partners.
Have a partner who has had a sexually transmitted disease.

Gonorrhea often does not show any symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended that you do an examination even if you do not experience symptoms of this disease.

Diseases that are detected early can make it easier for your doctor to determine the right treatment for you.