Chlamydia is an STI that is usually symptomless and so can be easy to overlook. Prevention is key when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and this can be achieved by using a condom or oral dam. Sometimes, however, condoms are taken off or not put on in the first place. This is when STI’s spread.
If you do find yourself with an STI, don’t panic. Though some cannot be cured, they can be treated if caught in a reasonable amount of time and should return you to proper health.
Regardless of whether or not you are being treated for your STI you should always inform current and previous sexual partners in order to allow them a chance to get the proper chlamydia treatment.
Risk Factors
Women are considered to be at greater risk of STIs due to anatomical differences, and due to STIs being harder to spot.
Also having had an infection in the past or currently having an infection can make you weak to the STI because your resistance to the bacteria may be significantly lowered.
Symptoms
Many symptoms of chlamydia are hard to spot because they hide in the early stages of the infection. This means it can be hard to receive chlamydia treatment if you have no cause for worry.
It is good practice is to test for STI’s every time you have unprotected sex with someone who’s sexual past you’re not aware of.
Here is a list of symptoms in case you spot them:
- Pain when you pee
- Discharge from vagina or penis that is yellow or green coloured
- Pain in the lower stomach
- A painful sensation in the testicles
- Pain during sex (this usually only applies to women)
In women, it is sometimes possible that the infection will develop in the fallopian tubes and can cause PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease). It’s very important you seek emergency care if you think you have this. Here is a list of symptoms for PID:
- Fever
- Very painful sensation in pelvis
- Feeling nauseous
- Bleeding from the vagina between periods
You can get the infection in different parts of your body depending upon where the sexual contact has been made. You can get the infection in the vagina, anus or throat.
Seeing A Doctor
When you visit the doctor, you’ll be asked about your symptoms. If you’re symptomless, you need to tell the doctor about any unprotected sex you had so they are aware you may have been exposed to the infection.
Any areas that may have been exposed to an infected person will be swabbed in order to test for chlamydia. This includes the vagina or penis, anus, and throat.
Treatment
Though unpleasant, chlamydia can be treated with a course of antibiotics. These come in different shapes and forms and are sometimes given as one large pill or spread out over a number of days. It’s very important to always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking antibiotics.
It’s a good idea to not have sex whilst you’re being treated as you could get the infection all over again or give it to someone else.
Consequences
Sometimes due to unfortunate events, or from being left untreated, chlamydia can cause further damage to the body.
For women, this includes PID which can put them in the hospital.
Chlamydia can also make women infertile and those who are pregnant who have the infection can pass this on to their children during birth.
Men can also suffer from complications, including the inflammation of the tube that secures the testicles (epididymis). Chlamydia can also grow into the prostate gland which can be very painful.
