Untreated gonorrheal infections in females can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and PID-associated infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. Complications in males include epididymitis and prostatitis. Gonococcal bacteremia, pharyngitis, and arthritis may also occur.
Untreated gonorrhea during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and inflammation of the lining of the uterus. Gonorrheal infections can be passed to newborns during delivery, increasing the risk of eye infections (which may lead to blindness) and sepsis (which can lead to meningitis). Gonorrheal infections can also facilitate the transmission of HIV infection.