What is Chlamydia? What are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?
A plain language, no nonsence explanation of Chlamydia
Chlamydia is among the most common of the sexually transmitted infections (STI). Chlamydia is an infection caused by bacteria found in male semen and female vaginal fluids.
Chlamydia is usually passed between partners during penitrative or oral sex but sharing sex toys can also transmit infection. Chlamydia infections can become established within cells of the cervix (entrance to a woman's uterus from the vagina), the urethra (the tube which connects the urinary bladder to outside the body which, in males, travels through the penis and also carries semen), the rectum (final section of the digestive tract between the colon and anus) and, less commonly, the throat and eyes.
Note: Chlamydia can also be passed by a pregnant woman to baby.
What Are The Symptoms of Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is often overlooked or not noticed because most men and women display only a few, if any, mild signs of the infection.
Chlamydia symptoms may become apparent within a few weeks of contact although it is not unusual for months to pass without signs until, perhaps, after the infection has spread to other parts of the body.
The symptoms in women that should raise concern about possible infection include any unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods or during/after sex. Pain having sex or when urinating. Unexplained lower abdominal pains.
For men they may notice a cloudy, watery discharge from the penis. Pain when urinating. Unusual tenderness or pain in the testicles.
For either sex, eye or rectum chlamydia infections may cause discomfort, a discharge or some pain. A chlamydia infection of the throat is much rarer and usually presents little or no obvious symptoms.
Chlamydia Testing
DIY chlamydia testing kits are now available to buy online or in chemists. However, testing for chlamydia is free with the NHS so contact your Doctor if you have any concerns. There is also a National Chlamydia Screening Programme running in England which aims to ensure all sexually active women and men under 25 can access a chlamydia test. Chlamydia awareness campaigns and testing is also being promoted in a variety of locations including some colleges and universities.
The testing process is simple and pain free. It involves either a urine test or a cotton bud swab to gather a sample of cells from the vagina or urethra. It's important to tell your doctor whether testing needs to be done for infection passed through oral or anal sex. This will require a swab sample from either the rectum or throat. Your eyes may be tested if you display any signs of discharge.
If testing proves positive then, the good news is, Chlamydia is easily treated using antibiotics. For women it's important that the doctor is aware if they are using a contraceptive pill/patch and if they are pregnant or beastfeeding as any of these factors may influence the antibiotic prescribed.
Left untreated, chlamydia can spread to other parts of the body and cause long-term health problems including infertility. Women also risk pelvic inflammatory disease which can significantly increase the risk of ectopic pregnancies (a pregnancy developed outside of the womb in the fallopian tube) or fallopian tube blockages (these are the tubes that carry eggs from the ovary to the womb). For men, chlamydia left untreated can cause a painful infection in the testicles and possibly lower fertility.
Rarely, chlamydia can lead to reactive arthritis (inflammation of the joints) for both men and women. When the urethra and eyes are both involved it is sometimes referred to as Reiter's syndrome.
Prevention is always better than cure so use a condom!
