Can I have sex while treating Gonorrhea?

You shouldn’t.

Here’s why: antibiotics take time to work, and if you have sex before they have finished working, you risk reinfection. The failure of sex partners to either receive or complete treatment, the initiation of sexual activity before completing treatment, or having sexual activity with a newly infected partner causes reinfection. We recommend abstaining from sexual intercourse for at least seven days. Abstinence is the only way to prevent sexually transmitted infections; even condoms are not 100% effective!

Antibiotics work by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. Since gonorrhea is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are exceptionally good at killing the bacteria. Here at the Hope Clinic, we can test for and treat gonorrhea. We will give the medication one week after your testing appointment at the time of your visit. Still, suppose you are taking medicines prescribed by your doctor for several days. In that case, you should take them exactly as prescribed so they can be efficient. It is also essential to remember never to stop taking antibiotics before you complete the course or to share them with anyone. If you miss a dose of your antibiotic, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Any partners that you have had should also get tested and seek treatment. If you receive treatment, but your partner does not, you risk being reinfected again with the same STD. People treated for gonorrhea should be retested three months after treatment, regardless of whether they believe their sex partners received treatment. Scheduling the follow-up visit at the time of treatment is encouraged. Here at the Hope Clinic, we retest in one week to confirm that the infection reacts correctly to the medication. Recent sex partners or anyone with whom the person has had sexual contact within the last 60 days should be evaluated, tested, and possibly treated. If the patient’s previous potential sexual exposure was more than 60 days before the onset of symptoms or diagnosis, the most recent sex partner should be treated.

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Sources:

“Azithromycin (Oral Route) Proper Use.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Nov. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/azithromycin-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20072362?p=1.

“Gonococcal Infections among Adolescents and Adults - STI Treatment Guidelines.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Sept. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/gonorrhea-adults.htm#:~:text=Monotherapy%20with%20azithromycin%202%20g,%E2%80%9399.9%25)%20(883).