(HealthDay News) -- Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. It can be passed from person to person via contact with infected genitals, or by mouth.
Antibiotics are prescribed to treat gonorrhea, the National Women's Health Information Center says. Without treatment, the infection can cause serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, an increased risk of contracting HIV, and infection that spreads to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of gonorrhea in women include painful urination or intercourse, vaginal discharge or irregular bleeding, and heavy periods. Many women have no symptoms.
You should speak to your doctor about being tested for the disease if you think your partner may have it.
