Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is caused by bacteria and usually infects warm, moist areas of the body, such as the urethra, eyes, throat, vagina, anus and the female reproductive tract.
Both men and women can contract gonorrhea. The infection spreads from person to person through unprotected oral, anal or vaginal sex. People who have many sexual partners or those who do not practice safe sex are at greatest risk of infection. Babies can be infected during childbirth if their mothers are infected.
Some people never experience any symptoms. For those that do, symptoms usually occur within two weeks after exposure to the harmful bacteria.
In men, symptoms of gonorrhea include a burning or painful sensation during urination, increased frequency of urination, a pus-like discharge from the penis, swelling or redness at the opening of the penis, swelling or pain in the testicles and a persistent sore throat.
Some of the symptoms in women include a watery discharge from the vagina, pain or burning sensation while urinating, the need to urinate more frequently, heavier periods, sore throat, pain during intercourse, sharp pain in the lower abdomen and fever.
If the infection is not treated timely, gonorrhea can cause infertility in women and men. Furthermore, if the infection spreads to the bloodstream, both men and women can experience arthritis, heart valve damage, or inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord.
Babies who contract gonorrhea from their mothers during birth can develop blindness, sores on the scalp and infections.
Proper medical care is needed to treat gonorrhea. Often, antibiotics are prescribed. But there are many herbal remedies as well as lifestyle changes that can also help get rid of this infection.
Here are the top 10 ways to help deal with gonorrhea.
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1. Abstinence
As soon as you are diagnosed with gonorrhea, you should avoid having physical contact with your partner while you are being treated. This is important until both you and your partner(s) have been tested and treated.
Having intercourse at this time will put your partner at a risk of contracting the infection. Also, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
Even after the treatment, always use a condom during intercourse and try to be in a mutually monogamous relationship. This will help prevent any kind of sexually transmitted infections.
2. Antibiotics
For treating gonorrhea, you need to take any prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed by your doctor.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gonorrhea can be treated only with the antibiotic ceftriaxone, which is given as an injection. Ceftriaxone is also prescribed in combination with either azithromycin or doxycycline — two antibiotics that are taken orally.
If you miss a dose or don’t take the full course of the medicine, there is high chance that the infection will recur in the near future.
3. Garlic
Garlic is an antibacterial herb, thus it can help treat a gonorrhea infection. The component called allicin in garlic is responsible for its ability to fight disease-causing bacteria.
Garlic also boosts immunity and aids in restoring a healthy state in the body.
- Eat 2 or 3 raw garlic cloves on an empty stomach daily.
- You can also including more garlic in your cooking.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Another ingredient that can help in the treatment of gonorrhea is apple cider vinegar. It has potent antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can help fight the infection in your body.
It can also help reduce pain and inflammation, while preventing the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
- Add 1 cup of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to your bathwater. Soak your body in it for about 15 minutes daily.
- Also, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a glass of warm, filtered water. Add some manuka honey to the mix and drink it twice daily.
5. Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf extract contains a powerful substance called oleuropein, which has strong antimicrobial properties.
In addition, olive leaf extract is very good for building up and enhancing the immune system. Strong immunity can help fight any kind of bacterial infection. Plus, it exhibits free-radical scavenging abilities.
You can take olive leaf extract supplements. The standard dosage is 250 to 500 mg capsules twice daily. To get the maximum benefit, it should be taken for a period of 12 months. Always consult your doctor before taking asupplement.
6. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil may be an effective treatment against any kind of bacterial infection, including gonorrhea. Carvacrol, a chemical component in oregano oil, helps reduce an infection.
Another benefit of the oil is it boosts your immune system and empowers your body to better fight gonorrhea.
- Mix 3 or 4 drops of oregano oil in a glass of water or fruit juice. Drink it twice daily for a few weeks.
7. Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver works as a strong antibiotic, due to its germicidal properties.
It helps fight the infection-causing microbes. In fact, it destroys the harmful bacteria by starvation or “strangulation”.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of colloidal silver into a glass of filtered water.
- Drink it 5 times a day for 12 weeks.
8. Zinc
Zinc is another powerful element for boosting your immune system and combating infections.
This mineral helps increase your body’s white blood cell count and the number of working antibodies that your body can use to fight harmful bacteria.
It also improves the protective functions of the cell membranes.
- Incorporating zinc into your daily diet is quite easy. Eat chicken, sesame seeds, dark chocolate and oysters to increase the level of zinc in your body.
9. Vitamin C
Eating foods rich in vitamin C is one of the best ways to improve the health of the immune system. A strong immunity can prevent and fight any kind of infection, including gonorrhea.
Vitamin C also works as a powerful antioxidant and can help reduce inflammation and discomfort caused by the condition.
- Increase your vitamin C intake by eating foods like oranges, bell peppers, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, strawberries, grapefruit, and guava.
10. Alkalizing Foods
To fight gonorrhea, try to make your body more alkaline in nature. This is beneficial as bacteria cannot survive in an alkaline environment.
It is easy to induce and maintain an alkaline environment in your body. Simply start eating foods rich in alkaline properties, such as leafy greens like chlorella, celery, watercress, alfalfa, wheat grass and barley grass. Seeds, beans, whole grains and nuts are also alkalizing foods.
Additional Tips
- Always use a condom during any type of sexual contact, including anal, oral or vaginal sex.
- If you are diagnosed with gonorrhea, ask your partner(s) to be tested for sexually transmitted infections.
- Annual screening for gonorrhea is recommended for all sexually active women and men who have more than one partner. This helps identify an infection that may not be causing any symptoms.
- Exercise daily to build your immunity.
- Eat healthy and drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
