According the the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 600,000 new cases of gonorrhea occur annually in the United States. For women this can have a particularly devastating effect on their reproductive health since women usually don't experience any symptoms. Women who are diagnosed with gonorrhea are also often found to have chlamydia. The CDC recommends that all women diagnosed with gonorrhea also receive treatment for chlamydia.
Often called "the clap," gonorrhea is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhea bacteria. This bacteria can be found in moist areas of the body including the vagina, penis, eyes, throat, and rectum. Infection can occur with contact to any of these areas. An infected person may also spread gonorrhea from one part of their body to another by touch. Gonorrhea can be spread through all forms of sexual activity including oral, vaginal, and rectal sex. Gonorrhea may be passed to newborns if their mother is infected when childbirth occurs.
Who gets gonorrhea ?
Although any sexually active person can get gonorrhea, it is most prevalent among those from 15 to 30. Women who have vaginal intercourse with an infected man have a 60 to 90 percent chance of becoming infected; while men who have vaginal sex with an infected woman have a significantly lower 30 to 50 percent chance of becoming infected by this sexually transmitted disease.
What are the reproductive health risks to women who get gonorrhea ?
"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." Additionally, according to the CDC's 2006 Surveillance report on gonorrhea, "epidemiologic and biologic studies provide strong evidence that gonococcal infections facilitate the transmission of HIV infection."
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, gonorrhea can affect the uterus by significantly raising the risk that pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may occur.
The above information thankfully comes from the womenshealth.about.com at the following link.