• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
NJFPL logo

NJFPL

New Jersey Family Planning League

  • About
    • About NJFPL
    • Careers
  • Find a Health Center
    • Abortion Care
    • Family Planning
  • Reproductive Health Services
    • Abortion Care
    • Birth Control
    • Cancer Screening
    • Complete Guide to the Most Common STIs
    • HIV and AIDS
    • What is Emergency Contraception?
    • What to Expect at a Pelvic Exam
  • FAQ
  • Resources
    • LGBTQ+ Resources
    • Provider Resources
    • Shareable Resources
    • Newsroom
    • Blog
    • Videos
  • Contact Us

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

Posted on October 4, 2023

 

Anyone who is sexually active could get a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs are really common. In fact, more than 1 million people get an STI every day. Here’s what you need to know about two of the most common STIs: chlamydia and gonorrhea.

What Are Chlamydia and Gonorrhea?

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sometimes called “the clap” or the “drip.” You can get STIs from having any type of sex—vaginal, anal or oral. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause infections in your genital area, rectum or your throat. If you’re having sex, you’re at risk of these infections, especially if you don’t use condoms.

The difference between chlamydia and gonorrhea is the type of bacteria that cause them. Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. Gonorrhea is caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, also known as gonococcus. In the United States, chlamydia is more common than gonorrhea.

What Are the Symptoms of Chlamydia vs Gonorrhea?

The tricky thing about being infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea is that it is possible to have no symptoms at all. If you do have symptoms, both infections can cause:

  • Pain, itching, or burning when urinating
  • Pelvic pain
  • Discharge from the penis or vagina
  • Painful or swollen testicles
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods
  • Anal symptoms such as pain, bleeding or discharge
  • Painful sex

Diagnoses

How will you know if you have chlamydia or gonorrhea? You may or may not experience symptoms, so getting STI screening is important. Getting screened for STIs can help diagnose infections early before they can cause other issues. Screening may include a urine sample or a cotton swab in the vagina, rectum or throat. Once you are diagnosed, you can get treated. You can get STI testing at your nearest NJFPL health center.

Treatment

Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be completely cured with prescription antibiotics. It’s important to get treated because if you don’t, you could have serious, long-term health problems.

These potential health problems include:

  • Scar tissue that blocks your fallopian tubes and makes it hard to get pregnant
  • A dangerous pregnancy that occurs outside the womb (known as an ectopic)
  • Problems being able to get pregnant
  • Long-term pelvic or abdominal pain

NJFPL health centers provide affordable, accessible and confidential STI testing and treatment. There is at least one health center in every county of New Jersey, and the services are low or no-cost. If you are experiencing symptoms of an STI or if you are sexually active and want to get tested find a health center for STI testing today.

 

NJFPL health centers are dedicated to providing access to sexual and reproductive health services and support to all people, regardless of identity, income, insurance, immigration or health status. We are proud to serve people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. Visit NJFPL to find a health center near you today
Find a Health Center

Footer

  • About
  • Reproductive Health Services
  • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

This website was supported in part by Grant Number FPHPA006410 from the Office of Population Affairs (OPA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Population Affairs or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

© 2025 NJFPL. All Rights Reserved.
Powered By Katava Marketing