Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK.
It can be passed on via unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex or through the use of sex toys. If you have chlamydia you should tell your current partner and anyone you have had unprotected sex with in the last six months so they can also be tested.
Symptoms in women
At least 70% of women with chlamydia don't notice any symptoms. If they do get symptoms, the most common include:
- pain when urinating
- unusual vaginal discharge
- pain in the tummy or pelvis
- pain during sex
- bleeding after sex
- bleeding between periods
- pain, discharge or bleeding from the bottom
Symptoms in men
At least half of all men with chlamydia don't notice any symptoms. If they do get symptoms, the most common include:
- pain when urinating
- white, cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the penis
- burning or itching in the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body)
- pain in the testicles
- pain, discharge or bleeding from the bottom
Treatment
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. You should not have sex for seven days after your treatment has started and you will need to be re-tested 3 months after treatment to make sure the treatment has worked.
Complications
If left untreated, chlamydia can cause a number of complications for men and women.
Men
- Infection in the eyes
- Inflammation of the testicles
- Reactive arthritis
Women
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – this can affect your chances of having a baby and increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. You may also have chronic pain.
- Problems in pregnancy – you can pass chlamydia on to your baby during delivery
- Infection in the eyes
