How long can gonorrhea last?
Christopher Snyder
Updated on March 14, 2026
Any discharge you might have from your vagina will usually be yellowish or bloody and any discharge you might have from your penis will look yellowish, white, or green. Once your nurse or doctor prescribes you antibiotics to treat your gonorrhea infection, it can take up to 7 days to fully work.
Can you have gonorrhea for years?
If gonorrhea remains undetected and undiagnosed for a long period of time, the infection is likely to spread and affect other parts of the body. Patients who have carried the infection for a long time are at risk of complications and may begin to experience gonorrhea symptoms months or even years after infection.How long does a gonorrhea infection last?
If you have any symptoms of gonorrhoea, these will usually improve within a few days, although it may take up to 2 weeks for any pain in your pelvis or testicles to disappear completely. Bleeding between periods or heavy periods should improve by the time of your next period.What happens if you have gonorrhea for 3 years?
Untreated gonorrhea can cause infections of the fallopian tubes, cervix, uterus, and abdomen. This is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It can permanently damage the reproductive system and make you infertile (not able to have children).Is gonorrhea curable after 2 years?
Although medicine will stop the infection, it will not undo any permanent damage caused by the disease. It is becoming harder to treat some gonorrhea, as drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing. Return to a healthcare provider if your symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment.What is Gonorrhoea? | Why is Untreated Gonorrhoea so Serious?
What are four signs symptoms of gonorrhea?
Symptoms of gonorrhea
- greater frequency or urgency of urination.
- a pus-like discharge or drip from your penis (this discharge could be yellow, white, beige, or greenish)
- discoloration and swelling at the penis opening.
- testicular swelling or pain.
- itching and soreness in your anus.
- rectal bleeding or discharge.