Which symptoms most commonly present in gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, primarily affecting the mucous membranes of the urethra, cervix, and rectum. The symptoms that most commonly present include cervicitis in women, urethritis in men, and proctitis in both sexes.

Cervicitis can manifest as abnormal vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods, and pelvic pain. Urethritis often presents with a purulent discharge and painful urination. Proctitis may exhibit rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. These localized symptoms are typical for gonorrhea and can occur in isolation or together, depending on the areas affected.

While fever and fatigue can occur in various infections, they are not the hallmark symptoms of gonorrhea specifically. Measuring testosterone levels is unrelated to the diagnosis of gonorrhea and serves different clinical purposes, often for assessing conditions related to hormonal imbalances. Severe abdominal pain can occur in some cases but is not a primary symptom of gonorrhea; it may be more indicative of complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease or an ectopic pregnancy rather than the initial infection.

Thus, recognizing the specific symptoms associated with gonorrhea is critical for proper diagnosis and treatment, making the