How to Prepare for a Gonorrhea Test

Doctors use three different techniques to test a patient for gonorrhea. All three involve the collection of a fluid sample which will then be subjected to laboratory scrutiny to determine whether or not gonorrhea bacteria is present. You will have to prepare according to the testing techniques your doctor will be using.

Things You'll Need

• Physician

Instructions

1. Discuss the different diagnostic techniques used to identify gonorrhea infection with your physician. To increase the chances of a successful and proper diagnosis, your doctor is likely to use at least two, if not all three, of the most accurate testing methods.

2. Know the three most commonly used testing methods. First, a sample of the genital fluid discharge may be collected and stained directly for the presence of gonorrhea bacteria. Second, a urine test may screen for the DNA of gonorrhea bacteria. Third, your doctor may take a fluid sample and attempt to grow a culture of gonorrhea bacteria in a lab from it.

3. Be aware that other techniques may also be used. Your doctor may take a swab of your genital region if no fluid discharges are present. Many patients report this is very uncomfortable. However, momentary discomfort is much better than the consequences of untreated gonorrhea. Another common technique is to take a throat swab of a patient. This is used to check to see if antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhea are present.

4. Do not use douche, vaginal creams or vaginal medicines of any kind if you are a woman who is going to be screened for gonorrhea within the next 24 hours. This helps to ensure that your doctor will be able to find the gonorrhea bacteria if it is, in fact, present.

5. Abstain from urinating for at least 1 hour before your medical appointment if your doctor is going to use a urine test to see if you have been infected. Prepare for this by avoiding excessive fluid intake.

6. Ask your doctor for any additional advice specific to your situation. No matter what testing technique is going to be used, you should also abstain from all sexual contact if you have any reason to suspect you might be infected with gonorrhea or any other STD.

Tips & Warnings

• Complete and total abstinence is the only sure means by which to prevent gonorrhea. Remember that the disease is frequently asymptomatic in both men and women. If you are sexually active, do yourself and your partner a big favor. Get tested regularly, whether you show symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases or not.Complete and total abstinence is the only sure means by which to prevent gonorrhea. Remember that the disease is frequently asymptomatic in both men and women. If you are sexually active, do yourself and your partner a big favor-get tested regularly, whether you show symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases or not.