When should I get a gonorrhea test? Men who have sex with men: Men who have sex with men should be screened annually for gonorrhea, or every 3 to 6 months if they are at an increased risk for contracting gonorrhea. People with HIV: People diagnosed with HIV should be screened for gonorrhea at least once per year. Regular screening for gonorrhea in heterosexual men without symptoms is not generally recommended.  Risk factors that impact the frequency of gonorrhea screening include: A new sexual partner in the past 60 days Multiple sex partners  Having an STD in the past or a sex partner recently treated for an STD Inconsistent condom use Trading sex for money or drugs Sexual contact with sex workers Meeting anonymous partners from the internet Residing in a correctional facility or juvenile detention center Illegal drug use Anyone with signs or symptoms of gonorrhea should be tested for this infection. Gonorrhea testing should also be ordered when a sex partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea. When present, signs and symptoms of gonorrhea include: Painful urination White, yellow, or green urethral discharge Pain in the testicles or scrotum. Increased vaginal discharge Vaginal bleeding between periods. Anal discharge or itching Anal soreness or bleeding Painful bowel movements Sore throat What does the test measure?  Gonorrhea testing detects evidence of infection with the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae. There are several types of gonorrhea tests: Gonorrhea nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) testing: NAAT testing detects the genetic material (DNA) of the gonorrhea bacteria and is considered the optimal test for gonorrhea infection. This type of test can be performed on a urine sample or a swab taken from a site of potential infection.   Gram stain: Gram stains look for certain types of cells that are characteristic of a gonorrhea infection under a microscope. This test is performed on urethral swabs and is used primarily in men who are experiencing urinary symptoms.  Gonococcal culture: Gonococcal cultures attempt to grow the gonorrhea bacteria from swabs taken from sites of potential infection. Cultures are the only tests that detect the infection’s susceptibility to antibiotics. Doctors may order a gonococcal culture if they suspect that a patient has an antibiotic-resistant strain of gonorrhea. Rapid gonorrhea tests: While rapid testing for gonorrhea isn’t common, several tests are being developed to allow health care professionals to give same-day gonorrhea testing results.