How Long Does It Take For Gonorrhoea To Show Up?

In 2022, there were 82,592 new cases of gonorrhoea in the UK – and a staggering 50% increase in positive cases compared to 2013. Symptoms for the infection can sometimes take months to show up, which may have contributed to the wider spread of infection over the past 10 years. So, how long does it take for gonorrhoea to show up? 

Symptoms for gonorrhoea typically show up 2 weeks after initial exposure to the infection. However, most people won’t show symptoms for up to 6 months, and some symptoms may take even longer to show. Having regular STD tests will enable you to detect gonorrhoea, even if you don’t have symptoms. 

Read on to learn how long it takes for gonorrhoea to show up, when you’ll experience symptoms, and which symptoms you may experience if you have gonorrhoea. 

How Long Does Gonorrhoea Take To Show?

The symptoms of a gonorrhoea infection (on the genitals, mouth, throat, eye, or anus) will start to show 2 weeks or 14 days after unprotected sex with someone who has the infection. Typical symptoms include pain around the anal or genital region, abnormal discharge, and pain whilst urinating. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you must get a sexual health test immediately, and abstain from unprotected sexual contact whilst you do so. 

It is important to note that not everyone with gonorrhoea will get symptoms. In fact, according to the NHS, 5 in 10 women, and 1 in 10 men will not show symptoms of gonorrhoea, even if they have the infection.

Can Gonorrhoea Lay Dormant?

Yes. Most people with the infection will never have symptoms and only find out through a sexual health test. Gonorrhoea usually stays dormant for around 6 months before showing symptoms, but some people can go years without symptoms starting to show. This is why it is so important to have regular STD tests. 

How Long Can You Have Gonorrhoea Without Knowing?

People with a gonorrhoea infection usually don’t know for up to 2 weeks after initial exposure, however, symptoms often lay dormant for 6 months, and even longer in some cases! Because you can never be 100% sure that you don’t have the infection based on lack of symptoms, you must get an STD test to make sure.

Gonorrhoea isn’t the only STD that can lay dormant for months, or even years. To learn more, read this blog: Are there any STDs with no symptoms?

What Do the Early Stages Of Gonorrhoea Look Like?

If you were to experience symptoms of gonorrhoea, they’ll typically start to show 14 days (or 2 weeks) after initial exposure to the infection. In males, the early stages of genital gonorrhoea bring symptoms of:

• Pain or burning whilst urinating
• Thick, white/yellow/green discharge from the tip of the penis
• Pain in the testicles
• Swelling in the testicles

In females, some of the early symptoms might include:

• Pain or burning whilst urinating
• More discharge than usual
• Thick green or yellow discharge 
• Bleeding between periods
• Abdominal or pelvic pain

For more information on how long it takes for symptoms of gonorrhoea to show, read this helpful blog: How long after sex do STI symptoms appear?

What Happens if Gonorrhoea is Left Untreated?

If a gonorrhoea is treated early on, it is curable. However, if you unknowingly have the infection for months or even years, it can lead to more serious health complications. Potential complications include:

• Infertility
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Pregnancy complications (including miscarriage, premature birth, and newborn conjunctivitis with a risk of permanent damage to sight)
• Epididymitis
• Gonococcal Arthritis

Discreet STD Tests From Your Sexual Health

At Your Sexual Health, we’re specialists in private STD testing. We have over 100 clinics located across the UK, with a wide range of comprehensive test options available for detecting gonorrhoea. We also offer a discreet postal test service, for those who prefer to test in the comfort of their own home. 

Get started by visiting our Clinics or STI Tests page. If you aren’t sure which test to go for, get in touch with a member of our team who would be more than happy to help.

If you’re looking for more advice on gonorrhoea, visit our dedicated advice page.