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Chlamydia

    

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Find out how to protect yourself, and where to go for testing and treatment.

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, most commonly spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. Not everybody with chlamydia gets symptoms, but symptoms in MEN can include:

  • White, cloudy or watery discharge from the penis.
  • Pain when peeing.
  • Painful swelling of the testicles.

Symptoms in WOMEN can include:

  • Pain and/or bleeding during sex.
  • Bleeding after sex.
  • Unusual discharge.
  • Pain when peeing.
  • Bleeding between periods and/or heavier periods.

The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (under-25's) has more information on chlamydia.

Symptoms can take one to three weeks to appear or can take months, and 75% of people infected with chlamydia dont have any symptoms.

How will I know if I've got it?

You can only be sure if you have a test.

Your local sexual health clinic, genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic or community contraceptive clinic can test you for STIs free of charge, and all advice and treatment is completely confidential.

Young people under 25 can get tested for chlamydia for free as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (England only) at various places, including:

  • Young persons clinics
  • Clubs
  • Colleges
  • GUM clinics
  • Community contraceptive clinics
  • GP surgeries
  • Some pharmacies

Men and women can give a urine sample (pee in a pot), and women can also take a vaginal swab that can be tested.

                                  Click to join Facebook's Chlamydia Screening group! 

What will happen if I don’t get it treated?                                            

It won't go away by itself but chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics, especially if it is found early. If untreated, it can cause an infection in the testicles in men and possibly reduce fertility.

In women chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can result in long term pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (when a pregnancy occurs outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tube).

PROTECT yourself

Always use a condom. They're the only thing that will help protect you from catching an STI, and will help prevent an unintended pregnancy.

It only takes one instance of unprotected sex (anal,oral or vaginal) to end up with an STI, even if the man withdraws before he ejaculates.

FREE CHLAMYDIA SCREENING POSTAL KIT:

The Terrence Higgins Trust is part of The National Chlamydia Screening Programme in Argyll & Bute, Barking & Dagenham, Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Doncaster, Halton & St Helens, Hillingdon, Kensington & Chelsea, Newham, Redbridge, Rotherham, Waltham Forest, and Warrington.

If you live in one of these areas, and you’re between 16 and 24, they can send you a free Chlamydia test kit by post - just click on the bag below:-

 

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