What is Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI).
It is easily treated with antibiotics. It affects both men and women.
About 1 in 10 sexually active young people who are tested have Chlamydia, yet most people who have Chlamydia have no signs or symptoms and won't know they have got it.
Having a simple test can tell you if you have it.
It is easily treated with antibiotics. It affects both men and women.
About 1 in 10 sexually active young people who are tested have Chlamydia, yet most people who have Chlamydia have no signs or symptoms and won't know they have got it.
Having a simple test can tell you if you have it.
What effect can Chlamydia have on you?
In women:
Chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to long term pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).
In men:
Chlamydia can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and possibly reduced fertility. It is thought that in some men it might cause the prostate to become inflamed.
In both men and women:
Inflammation or swelling of the joints can occur (reactive arthritis). This is sometimes accompanied by inflammation of the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body) and the eye, when it is known as Reiter's syndrome. This is rare and occurs more in men than in women.
Without proper treatment the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term complications.
Chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to long term pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).
In men:
Chlamydia can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and possibly reduced fertility. It is thought that in some men it might cause the prostate to become inflamed.
In both men and women:
Inflammation or swelling of the joints can occur (reactive arthritis). This is sometimes accompanied by inflammation of the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body) and the eye, when it is known as Reiter's syndrome. This is rare and occurs more in men than in women.
What happens if Chlamydia isn't treated?
Without proper treatment the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term complications.
How do you become infected?
You can get Chlamydia by having sex with someone who already has it. This might have been recently or many months, even years earlier.
The infection can spread if you have vaginal, anal or oral sex or share sex toys.
You can also pass the infection to the eyes if it's on someone's hands. A mother can pass it to her baby at birth.
The infection can spread if you have vaginal, anal or oral sex or share sex toys.
You can also pass the infection to the eyes if it's on someone's hands. A mother can pass it to her baby at birth.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Most people with Chlamydia will not have any symptoms. If they do, they may have some of the symptoms listed below:
In women:
In men:
In women:
- An unusual vaginal discharge
- The need to pass urine more often
- Pain on passing urine or during sex
- Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen
- Any irregular bleeding, between periods, after sex or if you are using contraception.
In men:
- A discharge from the tip of the penis
- Pain and/or burning when passing urine
- Irritation at the tip of the penis
- Painful swelling of the testicles
What do I do if my partner or I have symptoms?
If you or your partner ever has symptoms, you should seek help from a Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinic (GUM) or community contraceptive clinic as soon as possible.
If you are aged 24 or under you can obtain a free Chlamydia test from your local PCT. Use the 'Your nearest clinic' area to find the closest clinic to you.
If you are aged 24 or under you can obtain a free Chlamydia test from your local PCT. Use the 'Your nearest clinic' area to find the closest clinic to you.
How will I know if Chlamydia has affected my fertility?
Chlamydia is just one of many factors that can affect your fertility. If you have had Chlamydia you will not normally be offered any routine tests to see if you are fertile unless you or your partner find that you have difficulty getting pregnant. If you are concerned, talk to your GP or practice nurse.
What happens if I get Chlamydia when I'm pregnant?
It can be difficult to know, particularly if you don't get any symptoms or they appear a long time after you have been exposed to Chlamydia. You might not know whether you got Chlamydia from your current or a previous sexual partner. These doubts can be hard to handle. Some people feel upset or angry when they have a sexually transmitted infection and find it difficult to talk to their partner or friends. Don't be afraid to talk about how you feel with the staff at the clinic or surgery.
