Chlamydia
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is usually passed on by having unprotected sex. It’s also known as chlamydia trachomatis, which is the name of the bacteria that causes it.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia affects men and women. It’s the most common STI in the UK, especially among sexually active women under 25. In every 100 sexually active young people, 3 to 7 have chlamydia.
In women, it can affect the area around the cervix (entrance to the womb) or the urethra (the tube between the bladder and the outside of the body). In men, it usually affects the urethra. In many cases, there are no symptoms — 7 in 10 women and 5 in 10 men will not notice that they have it.
It’s easy to treat with antibiotics but can cause other health problems if it is not treated early on, including pelvic inflammatory disease, reactive arthritis and infertility.
How to tell if you have chlamydia
You may not have any symptoms of chlamydia — many people don’t know they have it. If you get symptoms, they will usually occur 1–3 weeks after infection, although in some cases, they may not appear for several months. Symptoms may go away after a few days but you may still have the infection and could infect others.
It’s a good idea to get tested every year if you’re sexually active and under 25, or more often if you have more than one partner.
The most common symptoms are pain in your genitals and/or pain when you urinate.
Chlamydia symptoms in men
Half of infected men will not notice any symptoms. The most common symptoms in men include:
- A burning or itchy urethra
- Discharge from the end of your penis — this can be white, cloudy or watery
- Discomfort or pain when having sex
- Pain when urinating
- Painful or swollen testicles
If chlamydia is left untreated, it can cause your testicles and the tubes that carry sperm from your testicles to your penis (epididymis) to swell. This can cause infertility.
Chlamydia symptoms in women
Seven in 10 infected women will not notice any symptoms. The most common symptoms in women include:
- Abnormal bleeding from your vagina eg in between periods and/or after sex
- Pain during sex
- Pain in your pelvis or tummy, especially during sex
- Pain when urinating
- Unusual vaginal discharge
If chlamydia is left untreated, it can spread to your womb and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is a serious condition and is a common cause of infertility and ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilised egg implants outside of your womb).
Chlamydia symptoms in the rectum, throat and eyes
If your back passage (rectum) is infected after having unprotected anal sex, you may have anal bleeding or anal discharge.
If you have unprotected oral sex, chlamydia can infect your throat. However, this is uncommon and usually does not cause symptoms.
Chlamydia can also affect your eyes or nose. If your eyes come into contact with infected semen or vaginal fluid, your eyes may become red and/or painful. You may also have discharge from your eyes (conjunctivitis).
If you have any chlamydia symptoms, or if your partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia, you should ask your GP for advice as soon as possible or visit a sexual health clinic.
If you don’t have any symptoms but are concerned that you have chlamydia, you can still get tested. If you are aged under 25 and are sexually active, you should get tested for STIs every year or every time you have a new sexual partner.
Frequently asked questions
How long can you have chlamydia without knowing?
You can have chlamydia for months or years without knowing as it does not always cause symptoms. Around seven in 10 women with chlamydia do not notice symptoms.
How serious is chlamydia?
Although chlamydia often causes no or mild symptoms, if it is left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, such as infertility.
Can chlamydia go away on its own?
Chlamydia does not usually go away on its own. Your symptoms may go away but if you have not had treatment, you will still carry the infection and can pass it onto your sexual partner.
Does chlamydia mean your partner cheated?
Chlamydia can stay in your body for months or years without causing any symptoms. During this time, you can still pass on the infection. If your partner has chlamydia, it doesn’t therefore necessarily mean that they have had sex with someone else recently.
Does chlamydia have a smell?
Chlamydia can sometimes cause discharge from the affected area eg the anus, vagina or end of the penis. This discharge can have a strong smell.
How do I know my chlamydia is gone?
Antibiotic treatment is usually successful in treating chlamydia if taken correctly. However, the only way to know for certain is to have a chlamydia test.
If I had chlamydia for two years, can I still get pregnant?
In most cases, having had chlamydia doesn’t affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. However, if you have had repeated bouts of chlamydia or your chlamydia wasn’t treated and you developed pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), it may be harder to get pregnant.
How do you get chlamydia without being sexually active?
You can get chlamydia without having sexual intercourse or penetration if you share sex toys, come into close contact with the genitals of an infected person or touch infected vaginal fluid or semen and then touch your eyes.
How easy is it to get chlamydia?
Chlamydia is usually spread through anal and vaginal sex, and to a lesser extent, oral sex. You can also get chlamydia if you share sex toys or touch infected vaginal fluid or semen. You can’t get chlamydia from kissing, hugging or sharing cups and cutlery.
How long does it take for chlamydia to show up positive on a test?
Once you have a chlamydia test, you will usually need to wait seven to 10 days for your results.
How long is chlamydia contagious?
Chlamydia remains contagious for as long as it is in your body. If left untreated, it can remain in your body for years.
Does chlamydia cause itching?
Yes, chlamydia can cause itching, similar to other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as genital herpes and gonorrhoea.
Can you catch chlamydia from a toilet seat?
No, you can’t catch chlamydia from a toilet seat or from sharing cups, cutlery, baths or towels.