Chlamydia
WHAT IS CHLAMYDIA?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection - in fact it is the most common STI amongst young people in Australia. It can affect the penis, cervix, fallopian tubes, anus, and throat, and in rare cases the eyes. Chlamydia can cause serious health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility if it is not treated.
HOW DO YOU GET IT?
Chlamydia can be passed on through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected person. This means sex without a condom or dam. A pregnant woman can also pass it on to her baby during childbirth.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT IT?
Using condoms will protect you from Chlamydia.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Chlamydia can be a sneaky infection. 75% of women infected with Chlamydia show no symptoms at all, so you can pass it on without even knowing you have it.
For women, symptoms can include:
- Vaginal discharge
- Needing to urinate a lot
- Burning when you urinate
- Itchiness
- Bleeding and/or deep pain during sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Painful periods
- High temperature
- Stomach pain
Men with Chlamydia might notice:
- Needing to wee a lot
- Burning when you urinate
- Watery discharge from your penis
- Burning and itching around the hole of your penis
- Pain in your balls
- Swelling of your balls
WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS?
That's why chlamydia is a tricky infection! You could be one of the 75% who have the infection and show no signs of it.
It's a good idea to get tested if:
- You have been diagnosed with having another STI, like gonorrhea, herpes or the wart virus.
- Your partner has been diagnosed with Chlamydia or another STI.
- You (or your partner) have had more than one sexual partner, or you've recently changed partners.
- You've had unprotected sex (without a condom) with a casual partner.
WILL IT GO AWAY IF YOU IGNORE IT?
No, this infection won't get better on its own. When Chlamydia isn't treated, women can end up with PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) and also run the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy (where an egg grows outside the uterus in the wrong place). Both men and women can become infertile, which means they are not able to have kids. Having Chlamydia can also increase the risk of becoming infected with HIV.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A CHLAMYDIA TEST?
A clinician will check for infection by doing a urine test or taking a swab. For women, this means they take some tissue from the inside of the vagina with a long cotton bud, and send it away to a lab to be examined under a microscope. For men, the doctor will take a urine sample. It's a good idea for both men and women not to urinate for two hours prior to the test in case you need to give a urine sample.
To find out where you can go for a sexual health check, come and talk to our Youth Worker or call FPA Healthline on 1301365 88 86 (or 130D SAFE SEX) to talk to a reproductive and sexual health nurse. Talking to the nurse is confidential and anonymous.
IS THERE A CURE?
With antibiotics Chlamydia can be treated easily. You will need to follow up afterwards to check it has really gone. If not a further dose may be needed. The doctor or health nurse may also check you for gonorrhea, as they usually are found together.
For more information follow these links:
Family Planning - NSW
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