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Gonorrhea Testing in Busan
Gonorrhea is a common bacterial STI that often causes no symptoms in women. A simple swab or urine PCR test at an OB/GYN clinic can detect it, and it is treatable with antibiotics.
What gonorrhea is
Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae . It spreads through vaginal, anal and oral sex and can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum and throat. Left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
When to get tested
- Yellowish or increased vaginal discharge
- Burning when urinating
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
- A partner has been diagnosed with gonorrhea or another STI
- A new partner or unprotected sex, even with no symptoms
Gonorrhea often appears together with chlamydia, so clinics usually test for both at once.
What the visit involves
The doctor takes a cervical or vaginal swab during a short pelvic exam, or you give a first-catch urine sample. If you had oral or anal sex, ask about throat or rectal swabs, since a genital test will not detect infection at those sites. PCR (nucleic acid amplification) testing is the standard method; results typically take a few days. Testing is most reliable about 1 to 2 weeks after exposure.
Treatment
Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics, usually an injection, chosen according to current guidelines because resistance is a growing problem. Avoid sex until you and your partners have finished treatment, and ask the doctor whether a repeat test is needed, especially if symptoms continue or the infection was in the throat.
Cost and insurance
Testing and treatment for symptoms are generally partly covered under National Health Insurance (NHI). Screening without symptoms or broad multi-pathogen PCR panels are often self-pay. Ask the clinic for a quote first, and see the STD test cost guide .
Tips for foreigners
- Bring your ARC or passport; NHI is applied if you are enrolled.
- Call ahead to check walk-in hours and English availability. The 1330 hotline can help interpret.
- Tell the doctor which sites (genital, throat, rectal) may have been exposed.
- Your partners need testing and treatment too.
See international patients for more on visiting a Korean clinic.
Related
Elsewhere in Korea
When to get help sooner
See a doctor promptly if you have fever, pelvic or lower abdominal pain, or pain during sex, which can signal PID. Go to an emergency room for severe abdominal pain, high fever, vomiting, or joint pain with a rash.
Busan clinics for gonorrhea testing
These clinics are listed in our directory with STD testing or extended hours. Call ahead to confirm tests, hours and pricing.
| Clinic | Area | Phone | Listed features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaen OB/GYN Clinic | Seomyeon (Bujeon-dong) | 051-804-3000 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| Eroom Women's Clinic (Seomyeon) | Seomyeon (Bujeon-dong) | Not listed | Sat, STD tests, Fertility |
| Mirae Women's Hospital | Gaegeum | 051-890-9999 | Sat, STD tests |
| Queens Park Women's Hospital | Jwa-dong (Jangsan) | 051-715-4100 | Delivers, Sat, STD tests |
| Eve & Adam Women's Clinic | Centum City (U-dong) | 051-743-7585 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| Samsung Jeil OB/GYN Clinic | Centum City (U-dong) | 051-747-3999 | Sat, STD tests, Fertility |
| Sehwa Hospital | Oncheon-dong | Not listed | Sat, STD tests, Fertility |
| Mari Women's Clinic | Daeyeon-dong (Kyungsung-Pukyong Univ) | 051-626-1009 | Sat, STD tests |
| She's Bon OB/GYN Clinic | Suyeong / Millak area | Not listed | Sat, STD tests |
| L Women's Clinic | Hadan-dong | 051-207-2727 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| The Mizwell OB/GYN Clinic | Hwamyeong-dong | 051-365-3575 | Female doctor, Delivers, Sat, STD tests, Fertility |
Gonorrhea test FAQ
Can I have gonorrhea without symptoms?
Yes. Many women have no symptoms or only mild discharge, which is why testing after a new partner or a partner's diagnosis matters.
Is a urine test as good as a swab?
Both are accepted for PCR testing. A vaginal or cervical swab is often preferred for women; neither detects throat or rectal infection, which need their own swabs.
How long until I get results?
PCR results usually take a few days. Ask the clinic how it will contact you and whether it offers faster rapid testing.
Do I need a test after treatment?
Your doctor may recommend retesting, particularly for throat infections or if symptoms persist. Retesting a few months later is also commonly advised because reinfection is frequent.