Gonorrhea Complications: Long-Term Risks in Men and Women

Untreated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection can lead to serious sequelae:

In Women

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Endometritis, salpingitis, tubo-ovarian abscess. Risk: infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain.
• Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome: Peri-hepatitis causing RUQ pain.

In Men

• Epididymitis: Painful testicular swelling; can cause infertility.
• Prostatitis, urethral stricture.

In Both Sexes

• Disseminated Gonococcal Infection (DGI): Bacteremia → septic arthritis (monoarticular), tenosynovitis, dermatitis (pustules on hands/feet), rarely meningitis or endocarditis.
• Increased HIV acquisition/transmission risk.

Neonatal

Ophthalmia neonatorum (blindness if untreated) from birth canal exposure. Prophylaxis: erythromycin eye ointment at birth.

Screening and prompt treatment (ceftriaxone + doxycycline) prevent complications.