Chlamydia

Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection. It is very easily treated, and once found and treated will not cause any long term problems.

Chlamydia can have no symptoms so if you have ever had unprotected sex (sex without a condom) it is important to get checked out.

If Chlamydia is left untreated it can cause problems such as Pelvic inflammatory disease (lower stomach pain), inflammation of the testicles (pain and swelling in the balls), infertility (the inability to have a baby) and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in the wrong place).

How is it passed on?

Chlamydia can be passed on by:

Having sex with someone who has Chlamydia (vaginal, oral and anal)
From mother to baby at birth
Occasionally from fingers to eyes.
Sharing sex toys

Signs and symptoms

Women:
Most often, women have no symptoms at all.
Possible symptoms:

Increased vaginal discharge
Pain when passing urine
Pain during sex
Lower abdominal (stomach) pain
Bleeding between periods

Men

A discharge (liquid) from the penis
Pain when passing urine.

Men can have Chlamydia with no symptoms.

Chlamydia in the eyes can cause redness and irritation in the eyes.
Chlamydia in the rectum rarely causes symptoms.d

What happens if I am told I have Chlamydia?

You will be treated with antibiotics, which are free at sexual health clinics.
Once Chlamydia has been treated it will not re-occur unless you have sex with someone who has got Chlamydia and has not been treated. We advise you to tell your sexual partners so that they can be treated as well. This will help to avoid you being re-infected.

You can help protect yourself from Chlamydia by using condoms every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you are unsure of how to use condoms, please ask to see a health adviser who will be happy to talk to you about it.