Conditions
Gonorrhea testing and guidance with a video visit
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection that often has no symptoms, and the right treatment cures it. In a discreet video visit, the doctor evaluates you and gives you a lab order to get tested at a lab near you. If the test is positive and treatment is appropriate, she explains the CDC-recommended treatment, which is an injection, and where to get it in person in Puerto Rico.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Severe lower belly pain with fever
- Sudden severe pain, vaginal bleeding or fainting if you could be pregnant
- Sudden, severe pain or swelling in a testicle
- Fever with a painful or swollen joint
- Sexual assault, or a possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours: go to the ER
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At a glance
Gonorrhea
Common symptoms
- Burning or pain when you urinate
- More vaginal discharge than usual
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- White, yellow or green discharge from the penis
- Pain or swelling in the testicles
- Rectal itching, soreness, discharge or bleeding, or painful bowel movements
- Other names
- Gonococcal infection
- Usual test
- NAAT by lab order
- Treatment
- Injectable antibiotic, given in person, when the medical evaluation calls for it
- Possible complication
- Pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility
On this page(9)
What is gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection passed on through vaginal, anal or oral sex. It can affect the genitals, the rectum and the throat. If you notice unusual vaginal discharge or testicular pain, get tested.
According to the CDC, it often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems even without them. In women it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which scars the tubes and can lead to ectopic pregnancy, infertility or chronic pelvic pain. Rarely, it spreads to the blood or joints, which can be life-threatening. It also raises the risk of passing on or getting HIV.
The CDC warns that some gonorrhea is getting harder to treat, because drug-resistant strains are increasing. That is why following the recommended treatment matters, and why you should not self-treat.
How we care for you by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience. No judgment, in English or Spanish. Join from a private place; visits are not recorded.
The doctor asks about any symptoms, your recent partners, what kind of sex you had (to know whether a throat or rectal sample is needed) and whether you could be pregnant. She gives you a lab order for a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT): according to the CDC, the best sample is first-catch urine for men and a vaginal swab for women. It is usually done together with a chlamydia test.
Once your result is in, the doctor goes over it with you and tells you the next step. More on STI testing and treatment.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
Request your visit.
Book a visit and choose "Doctor visit". You pay by card when you request it.
See the doctor by video.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
Get tested and get a plan.
Take the order to the lab; the doctor reviews your result with you and tells you the next step.
Price
A doctor visit costs US$79, with no membership, and includes the lab order. You pay the lab for the tests, and the place that gives the injection charges separately. Reviewing your result is a US$49 follow-up visit. You get a full refund if the visit can’t take place. See all prices.
Video visit
Doctor visit
US$79
For a new problem, urgent care (non-emergencies), primary care, children, birth control, STIs, skin and acne, and visitors. Includes a doctor's note if you need one.
- You’re charged when you request the visit.
- Full refund if the visit can’t take place
Gonorrhea symptoms
Most women have no symptoms. When there are symptoms, they can include:
- Burning or pain when you urinate
- More vaginal discharge than usual
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- White, yellow or green discharge from the penis
- Pain or swelling in the testicles
- Rectal itching, soreness, discharge or bleeding, or painful bowel movements
Gonorrhea treatment and your partner
Under the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines, the recommended treatment for gonorrhea is a single antibiotic injection. An injection cannot be given by video: if appropriate, the doctor explains how to get it in person, for example at a clinic or an urgent care center. We never promise a cure with pills.
If the infection was in the throat, the CDC recommends a repeat test 7 to 14 days after treatment to confirm it is gone.
For partners, the CDC recommends:
- That your sex partners from the 60 days before your symptoms or diagnosis be evaluated and treated.
- That you avoid sex until 7 days after treatment and until all your partners have been treated.
- That you retest 3 months after treatment, even if you believe your partner was treated.
Your partner needs their own evaluation with a doctor. The doctor helps you plan how to tell them.
If you’re under 21
If you are under 21, a parent or legal guardian must sign the consent, stay on camera for the whole visit and show photo ID.
When to go to the ER
For your safety, go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have any of these signs. See when to go to the ER.
- Severe lower belly pain with fever
- Sudden severe pain, vaginal bleeding or fainting if you could be pregnant
- Sudden, severe pain or swelling in a testicle
- Fever with a painful or swollen joint
- Sexual assault, or a possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a gonorrhea test if the visit is by video?
Can gonorrhea be cured?
Why can’t I just take pills for gonorrhea?
When can I have sex again?
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-02
Sources (5)
- CDC: About Gonorrhea (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- CDC: Gonococcal Infections Among Adolescents and Adults, STI Treatment Guidelines 2021 (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- CDC: Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- CDC: preventing HIV with PEP (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Ectopic pregnancy (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)