Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection and the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

The most common way to contract Chlamydia is by contact with infected sexual fluids – typically via penetrative sexual intercourse (anal, oral or vaginal).

In many cases, Chlamydia infection may not cause any symptoms, and people may not be aware that they have the infection.

When symptoms do occur, they may appear within one to three weeks after exposure to the bacteria. Here are some of the common Chlamydia symptoms in men and women:

In women:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Painful urination
• Lower abdominal pain
• Painful intercourse
• Bleeding between periods or after intercourse
• Rectal pain or discharge (if the infection spreads to the rectum)

In men:

• Painful urination
• White, cloudy, or watery discharge from the penis
• Testicular pain or swelling
• Rectal pain or discharge (if the infection spreads to the rectum)

It is important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, and the presence of symptoms alone is not a reliable indicator of Chlamydia infection. Therefore, it is important to get tested for Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections if you have had unprotected sex or have any symptoms of an STI. Early detection and treatment can prevent complications and reduce the spread of infection to others.

For women, failure to treat Chlamydia can result in the infection spreading and infecting other parts of the reproductive system – particularly the fallopian tubes and uterus. This can then progress to a condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – one of the most common causes of infertility in women.

Men who choose not to get their chlamydia infection treated risk a condition called Epididymitis. This is an infection of the tubes where sperm mature in the testicles. Just like in females, this will ultimately lead to infertility.

It is possible to contract multiple cases of Chlamydia which is why it is important to practice safe sexual intercourse. The more infections a person has (despite effective diagnosis and treatment) the greater the risk of complications, such as infertility, later in life.