This is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) provoked by bacteria. Mostly, it is asymptomatic but if left untreated may lead to certain serious complications. About 40%-96% of people who experience this STD have no symptoms. However, if you suspect you have this condition, immediately consult your doctor. Additionally, chlamydia symptoms can be similar to other STDs.
How Chlamydia is Transmitted to Other People?
Unprotected sexual intercourse is the primary cause of why chlamydia spreading to other people. Furthermore, oral sex without a barrier method also can transmit the infection to others.
However, newborns can also get this STD from the mother during birth. One of the prenatal tests includes a chlamydia test that should be done several times to make sure your baby does not get this infection.
Rarely, may occur chlamydia infection in the eye through oral or genital contact. This STD can be passed to others from some people who had the infection and successfully treated it.
Symptoms
As we know this is a STD that usually does not show any symptoms. However, in some cases, people may experience the following symptoms. For example:
- Burning while urinating (pee)
- Pain
- Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis
Additionally, certain symptoms may be different for males and females.
Symptoms in Males
Most males usually do not notice any symptoms if experience this STD. However, some of them may experience the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Testicles pain
- Lower abdomen pain
- Green or yellow discharge from the penis
- Burning sensation when urinating
Moreover, it is possible to get this infection in the anus. In such cases, the symptoms include bleeding, pain, and discharge.
Additionally, if you have oral sex with someone who has this STD, you get it in the throat. Therefore, you can notice the following symptoms (such as sore throat, cough, or fever). You can carry this bacteria in your throat and not know it.
Symptoms in Females
In women, symptoms can appear after several weeks after STD contact. Check below some examples:
- Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)
- Vaginal discharge
- Burning while urinating
- Lower abdomen pain
- Cervicitis (cervix inflammation)
- Bleeding between periods
In some cases, this infection can spread to the fallopian tubes and provoke a health condition (pelvic inflammatory disease-PID). However, PID is considered a medical emergency. Check below PID symptoms:
- Nausea
- Fever
- Severe pelvic pain
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
This STD can infect also the anus but in females, it usually does not show any symptoms. However, when the symptoms appear they include rectal bleeding, pain, and discharge.
In case you experience any of the symptoms listed above, do not hesitate to visit a doctor.
Causes
The strain of bacteria that provoke this STD is called chlamydia trachomatis. Usually, the infection is transmitted through vaginal discharge or semen. It also can pass to other people through genital contact or oral, vaginal, or anal sex without a protection method (such as a condom).
In addition, this STD is more common in females than in males and the infection rate in the United States is two times higher for women.
History of chlamydia, a sexual partner who has sex with other people, and unprotected sexual intercourse, especially with new partners are the main risk factors.
How Common is Chlamydia?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4 million people suffered from chlamydia in the U.S. in 2018.
How to Decrease the Risk of Getting Chlamydia?
One 100% way to avoid this STD is to abstain from sexual activity. In case you are sexually active, there are some tips that can help you to prevent or reduce the risk of getting this infection. For example:
- Protection methods – It is advised to use dental dams or condoms every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. These barrier options can significantly lower the risk of infection.
- Get tested – Regular screenings for STDs also can prevent the spreading of chlamydia to other people.
- Communication with sexual partners – In case you have different sexual partners, it is recommended to discuss openly with them because it also can reduce your risk of this STD.
- Do not share your sexual toys – If you are sharing sexual toys, first wash them thoroughly and cover them with a condom.
Treatment
Usually, it is easy to treat and cure chlamydia because it is a bacterial infection. Physicians usually prescribe antibiotics to treat this infection. Doctors often prescribe a large dose of Azithromycin or Doxycycline. Follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully and you can get rid of the infection within 2 weeks. If you administer other antibiotics along with those prescribed by your doctor or interrupt the treatment too early, the symptoms may return. As a result, your chlamydia may become difficult to treat.
Furthermore, you should not have sex during treatment because the infection still can pass to other people.
Home Remedies for Chlamydia
The following remedies cannot treat this infection but can lessen the symptoms. Check below for some examples:
- Goldenseal – This is a plant that is used to ease the symptoms during an infection. It works by lessening the inflammation.
- Echinacea – This plant is usually used to boost the body’s defense (immune system). As a result, people can easily cope with infections.
Diagnosis
Doctors will ask you about your medical history and symptoms. In case you do not experience any symptoms they can ask why you have concerns. Your doctor will perform a physical examination if you have symptoms. Mostly, previous examination is enough to diagnose chlamydia. One of the most effective tests that confirm this infection is to swab the vagina in females and urine test in males.
The results may take a few days and if it is positive, you should visit your doctor and discuss them.
Complications
If you ignore and do not treat this infection, it may lead to certain serious complications.
Women Complications
One life-threatening chlamydia complication is PID which causes damage to the cervix, uterus, and ovaries. Mostly, this complication needs hospital treatment.
Another complication of untreated chlamydia is infertility. It occurs due to scarring of the fallopian tubes by this infection. Furthermore, this infection can pass to babies during birth from their mothers. Thus, it can lead to eye infections and pneumonia.
Men Complications
One of the complications that happens in males when not treating chlamydia is epididymitis (when the tube that holds testicles becomes inflamed). This bacterial infection can also spread to the prostate gland and provoke painful intercourse, discomfort in the lower back, and fever. Male chlamydial urethritis is another complication.
The complications listed above are just the most common of them. However, you should immediately contact your doctor if you suspect you have chlamydia.
What is the Difference between Chlamydia and Gonorrhea?
Both conditions are common sexually transmitted infections. These conditions are caused by bacterial infection and usually pass from one person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without protection. In addition, chlamydia as well as gonorrhea usually does not show any symptoms. However, in people with chlamydia, it may take several weeks for the first symptoms. Furthermore, both conditions have similar symptoms. Examples include:
- Rectal pain
- Rectum bleeding
- Swelling in the scrotum and testicles
- Abnormal discharge from the penis, vagina, or anus
- Burning or pain during urination
These STI conditions can lead to PID. If you are not treating gonorrhea it may lead to some unpleasant symptoms including itching, soreness, rectum pain, and others. Females can experience prolonged and heavy periods and painful sexual intercourse if not treating gonorrhea.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I have sex again?
Usually, it is possible to have sex after chlamydia treatment if you were diagnosed with it. The duration of the treatment is usually 14 days. Discuss with your healthcare provider for more details.
What are possible chlamydia complications?
Permanent damage to the reproduction organs can occur in females if they are not treating this STI. In males, the most common complications include epididymitis, prostatitis, and male chlamydial urethritis.
What is late-stage chlamydia?
If you experience a late stage of this STI, the infection spreads to other parts of the body such as the cervix (cervicitis), testicular tubes (epididymitis), eyes (conjunctivitis), or throat (pharyngitis). Ask your doctor if you have additional questions.
