Who is at risk for gonorrhea?

Risk factors for gonorrhea include:

• being younger than 25 years old
• having a previous gonorrhea or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• having new or multiple sexual partners
• using condoms inconsistently
• doing sex work
• drug use

Blacks and men who have sex with men have a higher prevalence of infection than the general population in many communities and settings. Routine testing for gonorrhea also is recommended for pregnant females because infection can cause harm to both the mother and infant. However, don't assume your provider will automatically test you. To be on the safe side, you should ask specifically to be tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia and other STDs.

Any sexually active person is at risk for gonorrhea. In the United States, sexually active teenagers, young adults and African Americans have the highest reported rates of infection.

Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. In the United States, the highest reported rates of infection are among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans. In 2007, young women had over two times the gonorrhea rate of young men.
This answer is based on source information from The National Women's Health Information Center.