Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection spread by sexual contact - through vaginal, anal or oral sex. It is the most common bacterial sexually transmissible infection, particularly amongst young people.

How do you know if you have chlamydia?

You may not know - men and women often have no signs or symptoms. They can carry the infection for many months, perhaps years, without realising.

Women may notice:

pain in the lower abdomen

pain when passing urine

bleeding between periods

pain during or after sex

a discharge from the vagina

If there are signs of inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis) when having a Pap Smear a chlamydia test should be done.

Men may notice:

discharge from the penis
pain when passing urine


These symptoms usually start 7- 2 days after having sex with someone who is infected.

How do you test for chlamydia?

Your doctor will test for chlamydia by taking a sample from the cervix in women, or from the opening of the penis in men, or by taking a ‘first catch’ urine specimen ie. the first bit of urine to be passed.

How is chlamydia treated?

Azithromycin is one of several available treatments which can be taken as a single oral dose which is more convenient.

The alternative treatment is with doxycycline which lasts for 10 days and you need to take all the tablets or capsules to make sure the infection is cured.

How is the transmission of chlamydia prevented?

I. Use condoms and lubricant when you have sex. Make sure the lubricant is water based as oil based lubricants will weaken the condom and may cause it to tear.

2. If you or your partner have sex with more than one sexual partner, and do not use condoms, have regular sexual health checkups.

3. Talk to your partner about having unprotected sex, and come to a clear agreement about using condoms.

4. If you find condom use difficult explore other ways to be intimate, which do not put you at risk of sexually transmitted infections or an unintended pregnancy.

5. It is equally important to use a condom if you have sex whilst overseas.

6. Control your use of alcohol and other drugs so that your ability to make responsible, self protecting decisions about sex will not be affected.

7. If you think you may have chlamydia, have a sexual health check as soon as possible.

8. Women who use “the pill” to prevent pregnancy should continue to use condoms as well, to protect themselves from sexually transmissible infections.

What happens if chlamydia is not treated?

In women, chlamydia causes inflammation of the cervix. If untreated, the infection can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and other parts of the lower abdomen. This can block the tubes with scar tissue which can cause infertility or cause a partial blockage of the tubes leading to ectopic pregnancy.

Babies born to mothers with chlamydia may develop eye, ear or lung infections.

In men, untreated chlamydia can cause inflammation in the testicles where sperm is produced. Infertility can result. Men (and occasionally women) can also develop an arthritis-like condition when the chlamydial infection affects their joints.

Your doctor will advise you about contacting your sexual partners who may also be infected. Although this might be embarrassing it is very important for their health and the health of their sexual partners.

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