How to Recognize the Symptoms of Gonorrhea in Men

Know that gonorrhea has an incubation period of anywhere from 2 to 14 days. During the disease's incubation period, you will not be able to recognize any symptoms because the bacteria has not matured yet. Symptoms usually begin to show within a month of the completion of the incubation period, though, again, it is not uncommon for men to show no symptoms of the disease at all.

Make an appointment to see your doctor immediately if you experience difficult or painful urination. Bear in mind, however, that difficult or painful urination is not exclusive to gonorrhea infection, but is a symptom of many other disorders.

Recognize that penile discharges commonly accompany gonorrhea infection. These discharges, called "gleet," may be white, yellow or green in color and will accompany the difficult or painful urination described in Step 2. Seek medical attention if you display these symptoms. They are a hallmark of gonorrhea and are not normally attributed to other medical conditions.

Know that swollen testicles may also accompany a gonorrhea infection. In some cases, this may be the only detectable symptom.

Understand that asymptomatic gonorrhea will go untreated unless you take the initiative to have yourself tested. If untreated, more serious symptoms will occur. These include scrotal pain, inflammation of the urethra and swelling of the prostate gland. You should consult a doctor at once if you display any or all of these symptoms.

Bear in mind that it is possible for the bacteria that causes gonorrhea to spread to other sites within the body. This process is called "disseminated gonococcal infection" and is a serious medical condition. Other infection sites may include the heart or brain and could cause very serious side effects if not treated.