Gonorrhea, or gonorrhea, is caused by a bacterium (Neisseria gonorrhoeae). Gonorrhea can be transmitted easily during almost all forms of sexual intercourse. For transmission to occur, however, there must be direct contact with a mucous membrane (e.g. urethra, end of intestine, pharynx) containing the contagious secretion. In men who have sex with men, infections of the anal mucosa are common.

Possible symptoms: redness and swelling at the end of the urethra, urinary burning, watery then viscous and purulent discharge, general feeling of malaise, fever, sore throat or intense redness of the pharynx. If left untreated, the disease can affect the prostate and epididymis, resulting in diffuse pain between the anus and testicles, or painful swelling of the testicles. 

Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics. Sexual partner(s) should also be screened and/or treated to avoid a ping-pong effect.

As of November 2023, it is no longer recommended that cisgender gay men be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea in the absence of symptoms. 

The Belgian gonoscreen study showed that asymptomatic chlamydia was harmless to cisgender men, and that it was preferable to let it go on its own rather than treat it systematically with antibiotics. Indeed, frequent use of antibiotics can lead to resistance. 

Here are the situations in which chlamydia gonorrhea screening is still recommended: 

• You have symptoms
• You've been notified of an STI by a partner 
• You have sexual relations with people who have a uterus (cisgender women, certain transgender men, etc.) or you have a uterus yourself.