What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It can affect both men and women and is most prevalent among young adults.
Chlamydia can infect various parts of the body, including the penis, vagina, cervix, anus, throat, and eyes. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health complications, particularly in women, where it can lead to irreversible damage to the reproductive system, making it difficult or impossible to become pregnant. In rare cases, it can also cause potentially life-threatening complications such as ectopic pregnancy.
Signs and Symptoms of Chlamydia
Chlamydia is often called a silent infection because most people who are infected have no symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they can vary between men and women. They may not appear until several weeks after exposure.
If you have any symptoms of chlamydia, you should visit your local sexual health clinic.
Chlamydia Symptoms in Women
Women with chlamydia may experience:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Pain during intercourse
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Lower abdominal pain
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if infected through anal sex)
Even in the absence of symptoms, chlamydia can cause significant damage to the female reproductive system, leading to conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can result in infertility or ectopic pregnancy.
Chlamydia Symptoms in Men
Men with chlamydia may notice:
- Discharge from the penis
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (less common)
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if infected through anal sex)
While men are less likely than women to experience serious health problems from chlamydia, untreated infections can still lead to complications such as epididymitis, which can cause infertility in rare cases.
How Do You Get Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. It can also be spread by sharing sex toys or through contact with infected bodily fluids.
The infection can be passed even when an infected person shows no symptoms. In rare cases, chlamydia can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth, leading to serious health issues for the newborn, such as eye infections or pneumonia.
Testing for Chlamydia
Chlamydia can be diagnosed through a simple test.
For women, this may involve a swab of the cervix during a pelvic exam or a urine test.
For men, a urine test or a swab from the urethra is commonly used. Additionally, swabs can be taken from the throat, rectum, or eyes if these areas are potentially infected.
Regular testing is recommended for sexually active individuals. Especially those with multiple partners, as early detection can prevent the progression of the infection to more severe health issues.
Chlamydia does not show in tests straight away. It can take up to 2 weeks for it to show in test results. To get an accurate result, you should wait at least 2 week after sexual contact before you get a test. Please consult with your GP after a positive test.
Treatment for Chlamydia
Chlamydia is typically treated with antibiotics. It’s crucial to complete the entire course of medication prescribed by your healthcare provider, and you should tell your previous sexual partners so they can get tested too.
You should avoid sexual activity until seven days after completing the treatment to prevent the spread of the infection to others. Repeat infections are common, so follow-up testing is recommended three months after treatment, even if your partner was also treated.
Untreated chlamydia can lead to severe health problems, particularly for women, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system. In men, complications are less common but can include pain and potential infertility.
Preventing chlamydia involves practicing safe sex, including the consistent use of condoms, regular STI screenings, and open communication with sexual partners about sexual health.
Please consult with your GP after a positive test to determine the best treament for you.
Telling your Partner About Chlamydia
If you have chlamydia, you should tell your current partners and anyone else that you’ve had sex within the last 6 months. They can have chlamydia without knowing it, so it’s vital that they get tested as well.
Notify your partners with an anonymous text about an chlamydia with TellYourPartner.com.
TellYourPartner.com helps you do this anonymously, so you can let partners know they’ve had contact with an infection without giving them your name.