Gonorrhea treatment in men

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted predominantly through sexual contact and affects the organs of the genitourinary system. In everyday speech, it is often called “gonorrhea in men.” The disease is most often localized in the urethra, but in the absence of treatment it may spread to the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and urinary bladder, causing complications, including prostatitis, cystitis, and other inflammatory processes.

The course of the disease may be either acute with pronounced symptoms or low-symptom or even without symptoms, which complicates the timely detection of the infection. At the same time, the inflammatory process persists and gradually progresses.

At the “Oxford Medical” clinic, modern diagnostics and effective treatment of sexually transmitted infections are carried out. You can schedule a consultation at a convenient time for you in order to undergo an examination and receive the doctor’s individual recommendations.

Gonorrhea belongs to infections that are transmitted predominantly during sexual contact. Transmission of the causative agent occurs when mucous membranes come into contact with secretions containing the bacterium. It is important to take into account that the infection may remain undiagnosed for a long time, especially if it has a low-symptom course.

The use of barrier methods of contraception significantly reduces the risk of infection, however, it does not guarantee complete protection. That is why, even in the absence of complaints after risky contact, it is recommended to undergo an examination.

Household transmission is considered theoretically possible, however, in real practice it is almost never encountered. This is explained by the fact that the causative agent is unstable in the external environment and quickly dies outside the human body.

Infection of a child from the mother during childbirth is also possible, however, this transmission mechanism does not apply to adult patients and is considered separately in obstetric practice.

The factors that increase the risk of infection include:

• frequent change of sexual partners;
• unprotected contacts;
• the presence of sexually transmitted infections in the partner;
• failure to observe the rules of intimate hygiene.

It should be taken into account that even in the absence of obvious risk factors, infection is possible, since the probability of gonorrhea infection in men remains high upon contact with the causative agent.

Signs of gonorrhea are associated with the development of an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system and reflect the changes that arise in the tissues under the influence of the infection.

The first changes usually appear after the incubation period, which lasts from several days to 1–2 weeks. During this time, mucopurulent discharge with a characteristic unpleasant odor may appear, as well as noticeable redness or irritation in the area of the external opening of the urethra.

The inflammatory process leads to irritation of the mucous membrane, due to which its condition changes and characteristic discharge appears. It may be more noticeable in the morning or after urination. Sometimes the changes are minimal, so the patient does not immediately pay attention to them.

The course of the disease is not always the same — in some men, the manifestations may temporarily decrease or be mildly expressed, however, this does not mean that the infection has disappeared. The inflammatory process continues and may spread to other organs of the genitourinary system.

Diagnosis of gonorrhea is based on laboratory confirmation of the infection. Even in the presence of characteristic symptoms, an accurate diagnosis can be established only according to the results of the tests.

Main examination methods:

• a urethral smear with microscopic examination;
• PCR diagnostics to detect the DNA of the causative agent;
• bacteriological culture with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics.

During microscopic examination, gonococci in a smear in men may be detected, which is direct confirmation of the presence of the causative agent. Additional methods make it possible to clarify the form of the course of the infection and select the optimal antibacterial therapy.

Treatment of gonorrhea is carried out medically with the use of antibacterial therapy. The treatment regimen is selected individually, taking into account the form of the disease (acute or chronic), the duration of the course, and the extent of the inflammatory process.

The basis of therapy is antibiotics active against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The drugs may be prescribed intramuscularly or orally. In uncomplicated cases, a single administration of an antibiotic in a therapeutic dose is possible. In a complicated or widespread process, treatment may last longer and require combined antibacterial therapy.

As a rule, clinical manifestations decrease within a few days from the start of treatment. If the symptoms persist or intensify, this may indicate resistance of the causative agent to the selected drug. In such cases, the treatment regimen is revised in accordance with the results of bacteriological examination with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics.

Chronic gonorrhea in men requires longer therapy. Treatment may include not only antibacterial drugs, but also correction of concomitant inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system (urethritis, prostatitis, epididymitis). In the presence of complications, appropriate treatment is carried out depending on the localization and severity of the process.

An obligatory condition is abstinence from sexual contacts for the period of therapy and examination of the sexual partner. This makes it possible to prevent reinfection.

The effectiveness of treatment is monitored by laboratory methods. Follow-up tests are performed after completion of the course of antibiotics. In chronic course, repeated examinations in dynamics are possible to confirm complete eradication of the causative agent.

The chronic form develops in the absence of treatment or incomplete elimination of the infection. In such a case, the inflammatory process lasts more than 2 months and acquires a less pronounced, but persistent character.

Weak or periodic symptoms are characteristic of the chronic course:

• minor discharge;
• discomfort in the area of the urethra;
• periodic burning during urination.

Because of the blurred clinical picture, a man may not seek medical care, although the infection continues to spread.

A prolonged inflammatory process may lead to damage to the prostate gland, the epididymis, and other structures of the genitourinary system. That is why the chronic form is associated with an increased risk of complications, in particular impairment of reproductive function and the development of infertility.

Treatment of the chronic form is longer and requires careful laboratory monitoring. The tactics are determined individually, taking into account the localization of inflammation and the presence of complications.

The cost of treatment depends on the form of the disease, the duration of the course, and the presence of complications. In uncomplicated cases, the scope of care is limited to a consultation, laboratory diagnostics, and a course of antibacterial therapy. If the infection has led to the development of inflammatory processes in the prostate gland or the epididymis, the treatment may require longer observation and additional prescriptions.

At the “Oxford Medical” clinic, the patient can undergo an examination and receive an individually selected therapy regimen, and afterward undergo tests again to assess the effectiveness of the therapy. This approach makes it possible to completely eliminate the infection and reduce the risk of repeated exacerbation.

You can ознакомиться with the price of doctors’ consultations here in advance. The doctor will provide you with more detailed information about the scope of treatment and the cost of medical services during the initial appointment.