Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK.

It’s particularly common amongst young adults and teens and is passed through unprotected sex.

If you’re sexually active and under the age of 25 in the UK, it’s recommended that you get a chlamydia test once a year, and/or when you have sex with a new partner.

Symptoms

Majority of people who have chlamydia won’t have any symptoms, so they won’t be aware that anything is wrong.

You may experience the things listed below if you do develop symptoms:

Women

• Pain in the lower tummy, bleeding after sex or bleeding between periods
• Unusual discharge from the vagina or anus
• Pain or burning when weeing

Men

• Pain and/or swelling in the testicals
• Unusual discharge from the penis or anus
• Pain or burning when weeing

Chlamydia
can be passed
on through:

• Unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral)
• Sharing unwashed sex toys
• Infected sperm or vaginal fluid getting into your eye
• Genital contact, meaning you can get chlamydia from your genitals touching another person’s genitals, even if there’s no penetration, orgasm or ejaculation.

Getting checked for chlamydia

Getting checked for chlamydia is done with a urine test or by taking a swab of the affected area.

You don’t always need a physical examination by a nurse or doctor.

You can also order a FREE chlamydia testing kit to do at home.

You can to talk to your GP, school nurse or pastoral officer if you cannot access the sexual health service or go into a pharmacy for advice.

You will be directed to a trusted website regarding Sexual Health services.

Treatment

Chlamydia can usually be treated easily with a short course of antibiotics.

It’s important that any of your recent sexual partners have also been checked / treated to help stop the spread of the infection.

If left untreated, the infection can spread to others parts of the body and lead to long-term health problems.

Read More
Untreated chlamydia in women can cause ectopic pregnancies, infertility (not able to get pregnant) and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Untreated chlamydia in men can spread to the testicles and tubes that carry the sperm (epididymis) causing them to become really painful and swollen.

Getting checked and having chlamydia treated as early as possible is important, as the longer it’s left, the higher the chance of more serious complications developing.

Skip to content