Gonorrhea, also known as “the clap,” is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonorrhea can infect both men and women and is spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner. While gonorrhea is treatable with antibiotics, it’s important for sexually active individuals to get tested regularly, as untreated gonorrhea can lead to serious health complications. For men, testing for gonorrhea involves a simple procedure and is an important step in taking care of one’s sexual health.
Who should get tested for gonorrhea?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all sexually active men who have sex with men get tested for gonorrhea every 3-6 months. Heterosexual men should also consider getting tested annually if they:
- Have multiple sexual partners
- Have unprotected sex with new partners
- Have recently had an STD
- Have a sexual partner who has tested positive for gonorrhea
Testing is important even if you don’t have symptoms, as many gonorrhea infections are asymptomatic. Getting tested regularly allows for quick detection and treatment.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhea in men?
Many men with gonorrhea don’t experience any symptoms at all. When present, the most common signs are:
- Thick, cloudy, or bloody discharge from the penis
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Itching, soreness, or swelling of the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after infection, though sometimes it can take up to a month. Even without symptoms, untreated gonorrhea can cause serious complications down the line, including infertility. So testing is important whether or not you feel sick.
Where can guys get tested?
There are a variety of places men can get tested for gonorrhea:
- Primary care doctor – Your primary care physician can perform lab tests for gonorrhea and other STDs. This may require a separate visit just for STD screening.
- Urgent care clinic – Walk-in clinics can test for gonorrhea with a urine sample or urethral swab.
- Local health department – Many health departments offer free or low-cost STD testing.
- STD clinic – Specialized STD clinics located within hospitals or community health centers.
- Family planning center – Clinics like Planned Parenthood provide confidential STD testing.
Before getting tested, call ahead to ask about available services and insurance coverage. Testing procedures may vary depending on the clinic.
What does gonorrhea testing involve for men?
The most common gonorrhea tests for men are:
Urine test
This is the simplest and most popular method of testing. The patient urinates into a sterile collection cup, which is sent off to a lab for analysis. Results are usually available within 1-3 days.
Urethral swab
A clinician will insert a thin swab a short distance into the urethra to collect a sample. The swab is gently rotated and then withdrawn for testing. Results are available in 1-3 days.
Throat swab
If there’s a chance the infection is oral, the provider may also swab the back of the throat to test for gonorrhea.
Rectal swab
For men who engage in anal sex, a rectal swab may be taken. The swab is inserted a short distance into the rectum and rotated to collect cell samples.
While urine testing alone can detect most gonorrhea cases, swab testing is sometimes needed, especially if symptoms are present. Testing both the urethra and rectum is recommended for men who have sex with men.
What happens if the test is positive?
If gonorrhea is detected, treatment with antibiotics will be prescribed right away. The CDC currently recommends an injectable dose of ceftriaxone plus oral azithromycin, taken at the clinic. Sexual partners from the past 2 months should also be notified, tested, and treated. It’s important to complete the full antibiotic course and avoid sex until treatment is finished and tests come back negative.
After treatment, patients should return in 1-2 weeks for a repeat test to confirm the gonorrhea has been cured. Further testing in 3 months is recommended to check for re-infection. Condoms should always be used during sex to prevent transmission.
How accurate are gonorrhea tests?
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are the preferred method for detecting gonorrhea and chlamydia. NAAT urine tests accurately identify over 95% of gonorrhea cases in men, while urethral and rectal swabs are over 98% accurate. Certain factors can sometimes produce a false positive or false negative, but NAATs are highly reliable overall.
Alternative methods like Gram stains and cultures take longer to generate results and are less accurate. False negatives on cultures occur 15-50% of the time. That’s why NAAT urine screening or swab testing is recommended whenever possible.
How long for gonorrhea test results?
Most gonorrhea labs utilize Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests, which take 1-3 days to produce results. Here are some general turnaround times to expect with different test methods:
- NAAT urine test – Results in 24-72 hours
- Urethral/rectal swab – 1-3 days for results
- Throat swab – 1-3 days
- Culture – 3-7 days
Rapid gonorrhea tests can provide results within an hour, but these point-of-care tests are less accurate. For the most reliable results, NAATs processed in a lab are recommended. Speak to your doctor about when to expect test results.
How much does it cost to get tested?
Gonorrhea testing costs:
- Doctor’s office – $100-$250 without insurance
- Health department – Free to $100
- Planned Parenthood – $150-$200
- Urgent care – $100-$250
- STD clinic – Varies, often income-based fees
With health insurance, gonorrhea testing is often fully covered as preventive screening. Out-of-pocket costs depend on your plan’s benefits. Check with your insurance provider to find in-network clinics for the lowest price.
Some local health departments and community clinics offer free or sliding-scale testing based on income. See if you qualify for subsidized STD services.
Are gonorrhea tests confidential?
Yes, gonorrhea testing is strictly confidential. By law, your test results cannot be disclosed without your consent. STD clinics take patient privacy very seriously. Your information is protected by HIPAA regulations as well as state laws.
Some adolescents are able to get tested without parental consent in certain areas. Contact clinics to ask about consent policies for minors. Confidential counseling around STDs is also available.
The exception is in cases of child abuse. Clinics are legally required to report sexual abuse of a minor to authorities. However, consensual sexual activity is still kept private. Talk to a doctor you trust about any confidentiality concerns.
Can you get a home test for gonorrhea?
At-home gonorrhea test kits provide a convenient way to screen for infections in the privacy of your home. Here’s how they work:
- Order the test kit online – Choose a lab-based home kit that uses NAAT testing on urine or swab samples. At-home culture kits are less reliable.
- Collect your sample – Follow the instructions to collect a urine sample or use the swabs to obtain urethral/rectal specimens.
- Mail it to the lab – The kit includes a prepaid envelope to ship your sample securely to the partner lab.
- Get your results – Access your results online or by phone, usually within 1-5 business days.
If positive, promptly visit a doctor for treatment and to confirm results. At-home STD tests afford privacy but miss out on professional guidance. In-clinic testing is still recommended whenever possible.
Conclusion
Gonorrhea can lead to complications like infertility and chronic pain if left untreated. Testing is crucial for sexually active men to detect infections early. A number of options exist for confidential and convenient gonorrhea screening. NAAT urine tests and urethral/rectal swabs provide fast, accurate results at most clinics. Getting tested regularly and encouraging partners to do the same is key to stopping the spread of gonorrhea. With open communication and proper precautions, guys can stay healthy.