All about Gonorrhoea | Free home Gonorrhoea test kit

What is gonorrhoea?

laboratory staff testing STI samples
  • Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can lead to painful problems
  • Gonorrhoea is usually passed on through vaginal, oral or anal sex without a condom
  • Gonorrhoea can be passed on from contact with a partner’s genitals, even without penetration or ejaculation
  • Rarely, gonorrhoea can be passed on by semen or vaginal fluid from someone with gonorrhoea coming into contact with your eye
  • Gonorrhoea can sometimes be passed on by sharing sex toys
  • If you’re pregnant, it is possible for gonorrhoea to be passed on to the baby
  • Some recent studies suggest that throat gonorrhoea may be passed on to another person through kissing

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?


Around 1 in 10 men and about half of women with genital gonorrhoea don't get any symptoms.

In women, genital symptoms can include:

  • Unusual vaginal discharge which may be yellow or green
  • Pain or burning when urinating (weeing)
  • Pain during sex
  • Bleeding between periods

Less common symptoms include:

  • Pain or tenderness in the lower abdominal (tummy) area
  • Heavier periods and bleeding after sex

In men, genital symptoms can include:

  • A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
  • Pain in the urethra (tube you wee from) or a burning sensation when urinating (weeing)
  • Swelling or soreness of the foreskin or head of the penis
  • Pain or tenderness in the testicles (balls)

Most people with gonorrhoea in the rectum or throat will not get any symptoms. But some individuals may notice pain, bleeding or discharge from the rectum, or a sore throat.

Less commonly, gonorrhoea can affect the eyes causing irritation, pain, swelling or discharge. This needs prompt treatment.




Gonorrhoea testing

testing vaginal swab sample for Gonorrhoea testing in laboratory

A lot of people with gonorrhoea don’t have any symptoms, so we make it easy for you to get a free gonorrhoea test.

Order your free home testing kit online, take your samples, send them to our lab, and get your results in a few days.

If you need gonorrhoea treatment, this is free too. We will help you get the right treatment from a local sexual health service.

Test for gonorrhoea at home with SH.UKs free STI test kits

Get a free STI test kit delivered to your door. Take a self sample and return via freepost. Access your results online within a week. Check to see if SH.UK offers NHS funded home test kits in your area.


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How is gonorrhoea treated?


If you test positive for gonorrhoea, you will need to get free treatment from your nearest sexual health clinic.

Gonorrhoea is usually treated with a single antibiotic injection. With effective treatment, any symptoms should improve within a few days.

For gonorrhoea to be cured, it is important to use the most effective antibiotics. A healthcare professional at the clinic may swab the parts of your body affected by gonorrhoea. This is so they can check which antibiotics will work best.

You may be asked to do another test about 2 weeks after treatment to check the gonorrhoea has been cured.




FAQs about free gonorrhoea home test kits


Who should get a free gonorrhoea test?

If you are sexually active, it’s a good idea to test for gonorrhoea and other STIs once a year or when you have a new partner, especially if you have sex without a condom. Some people may be advised to test more often.

If you are planning to get pregnant, consider a gonorrhoea test. Untreated gonorrhoea can cause problems with a pregnancy and be passed on to the baby.


When should I take a gonorrhoea home test?

Take a test now if:

  • you have any symptoms of gonorrhoea or
  • a sexual partner has gonorrhoea or another STI

Depending on your symptoms, we may advise you to get tested at a clinic instead of doing a home test.Check and order now .

Consider waiting up to 2 weeks after your last sexual contact if:

  • you have no symptoms
  • you just want a sexual health check-up

This helps your test be as accurate as possible. Gonorrhoea may not show up on a test straight away. Testing too early may mean you test negative even if you do have early gonorrhoea. More about when to take a test.


Why should I take a gonorrhoea test?

Gonorrhoea is a common STI.

Many people with gonorrhoea will not have any symptoms, so you could have it without knowing.

If gonorrhoea is not treated and cured it may lead to serious complications or future health problems for some people, such as:

  • Long-term pelvic pain
  • Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb)
  • Reduced fertility
  • Arthritis (joint pain)
  • Septicaemia (blood poisoning)

Untreated gonorrhoea can also be passed on to your sexual partner(s).


How do I order a free gonorrhoea test kit?


Order your free SH.UK gonorrhoea testing kit online.

  • Answer a few quick questions
  • We work out which tests are best for you
  • Your free personalised test kit arrives by post in the next few days – in a discreet plain package

If you would rather get tested at a sexual health service, search for your nearest clinic:



How do I do a home gonorrhoea test?

Your STI testing kit comes with everything you need to take your own sample. This is called self-sampling .

You pack your samples into the freepost box and send them back to our lab for testing. You can post them in any Royal Mail postbox.


When will I get my results?

You will usually get your results 2 or 3 days after your sample arrives at our lab.

You will be able to view the results online. They are completely secure and private.

Order your gonorrhoea testing kit now to get your results as soon as possible.



Contacting partners


If you have gonorrhoea, you will usually be asked to tell any sexual partners from the last 1 to 3 months. Sexual partners are advised to get a free gonorrhoea test at a clinic. They may be offered treatment straight away.

If the gonorrhoea was in your penis and you had symptoms, you usually only need to tell your most recent sexual partner and anyone you had sex with in the 2 weeks before the symptoms started.

Informing, testing and treating partners lowers the chances of:

  • Getting gonorrhoea again
  • Gonorrhoea being passed on to anyone else

If you feel unable to tell sexual partners, one of our Health Advisers can tell them without revealing your identity.




Preventing gonorrhoea and other STIs in future


If you have gonorrhoea, it is possible you may also have another STI. It is advisable to have a full sexual health screen, including tests for chlamydia, syphilis and HIV.
You can get gonorrhoea more than once. To avoid getting it again, do not have oral, anal or vaginal sex until:

  • at least 7 days after your treatment and
  • your current sexual partner(s) complete treatment and
  • you and your partner’s symptoms have gone

Consider doing an STI test 3 months after gonorrhoea treatment. This is because there is a higher chance of getting gonorrhoea or another STI over the next year.

To help protect your health in future, use condoms, test for STIs at least once a year, and encourage sexual partners to test for STIs too.



Test for gonorrhoea at home with a free STI test kit


Get a free gonorrhoea testing kit delivered to your door. Take a self-sample and return it for free. Get results online within a week.

  • Trusted NHS-funded gonorrhoea test kits
  • Discreet delivery across the UK
  • Fast confidential results
  • Help getting the right treatment
  • All tests and treatment are free

Check to see if SH.UK offers NHS-funded home test kits in your area.


Find your local STI services




face profile of DR John White
Reviewed by Dr John White on 26th Feb 2025.



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