Question: How Does Gonorrhea Affect Reproductive Health?
Answer: According the CDC, "Infections due to Neisseria gonorrhoea, like those due to Chlamydia trachomatis, remain a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain in the United States."
The Bartholin's glands may cause problems for women with gonorrhea. The ducts can become blocked and swell until a sore is formed. If this happens the lower area of the vulva will turn red on the infected side. If the infection is allowed to spread, untreated, it can affect the uterus with a high risk that a woman will contract pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) leading to possible future fertility problems.
Men who have untreated gonorrhea risk the bacteria spreading up the urethra where it possibly affect the prostate, seminal vesicles, Cowper's glands, and the epididymis where it will form a painful sore, and fever with chills. If the epididymis is scarred men may encounter fertility problems later.
