What Is Chlamydia?
You’ve probably heard about chlamydia, either in school, among friends or in conversation. That’s because chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in the United States. Affecting both women and men, chlamydia can cause extreme discomfort, as well as permanent reproductive damage.
If you are sexually active, even with a single partner, you are at risk of acquiring an infection. It is important to note that unlike other STD/STIs, such as Trichomoniasis, chlamydia can be transferred not only through unprotected insertive-vaginal sex, but oral and anal as well.
“Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in the United States…Unfortunately, many carriers of chlamydia do not show external symptoms, but continue to transmit the infection.”—
CDC.GOV
Is Chlamydia Dangerous?
One of the most significant characteristics of chlamydia is that it is extremely common—all sexually active individuals are at a high risk of acquiring the infection, especially the younger demographic under age 25. Chlamydia is also more likely to infect women than men, yet due to its ability to spread orally and anally, it is prevalent in the gay communities.
Similar to other STD/STIs, carriers of chlamydia do not always present symptoms, yet may pass the infection to their sexual partners. This means that engaging in unprotected sex with a partner who appears healthy, may still result in acquiring infection and developing symptoms.
For men, the symptoms of chlamydia are uncomfortable and should be treated with antibiotics to avoid prolonged discomfort and further spread of the infection. If the infection goes untreated in women, it can influence fertility and make pregnancy difficult or impossible later on. Chlamydia may also lead to “fatal ectopic pregnancy,” or pregnancy occurring outside the womb.
How Do I Know If I Have Chlamydia?
While you may not present with many noticeable symptoms it is still possible to be a carrier of Chlamydia. Leaving the infection untreated poses long-term health risks related to women’s reproduction. If you begin to recognize symptoms, or test positive for chlamydia in an STI screening, it is essential that you reach out to your past sexual partners so they may seek treatment to avoid long-term health damage. Oftentimes, symptoms do not appear until weeks after exposure, which can make identifying the source of transmission more difficult.
Common Symptoms Of Chlamydia
In Women:
- Vaginal discharge may be abnormal (smell, texture, color)
- Burning and discomfort when urinating
In Men:
- Discharge from the penis
- Burning and discomfort when urinating
- Swelling and pain in one or both testicles
The chlamydia infection can also begin in the rectum in both women and men. While it is more common for this type of infection to occur after penetrative anal sex, it may also happen as a result of the infection spreading from the vagina to the rectum in women. If you experience any of the following symptoms in the rectum, there is a possibility you have a chlamydia infection there:
- Tenderness and pain in or around the rectum
- Discharge
- Bleeding
If you or your partner experience any of these symptoms, you should schedule an examination with your doctor immediately.
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed?
In order to accurately diagnose chlamydia, a doctor-requested lab test is required. Generally, the test requires either a urine sample or swab directly from the infected area.
Laboratory tests can diagnose chlamydia. Your health care provider may ask you to provide a urine sample or may use (or ask you to use) a cotton swab to get a sample from your vagina to test for chlamydia.
How Do I Get Rid Of Chlamydia?
Thankfully, chlamydia can (and should) be cured once identified. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to ensure the infection stops spreading and is safely cleared from your system. If the full course of antibiotics are not taken, the chlamydia infection can remain and lead to the return of your symptoms, days, weeks, or months later.
Due to the resilience of the chlamydia bacteria, it is fairly common to experience a repeat infection even after treatment. To ensure you are fully cleared of the infection, it is highly recommended you get tested 3 months after treatment.
Can I Treat Chlamydia Online?
Yes! First, begin by answering a few basic medical questions. A doctor will review your symptoms and, if safe and appropriate, prescribe treatment. If chlamydia is suspected, and you choose to proceed with treatment, the doctor will put in a request for lab testing to confirm the diagnosis. They may also provide a prescription to begin treating your chlamydia immediately.
“Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) allows doctors to treat the sex partners of patients diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea by providing prescriptions without the health care provider first examining the partner.”—
CDC.GOV
When you receive your prescription for chlamydia, it is essential that you take the full course of medication prescribed to you by your doctor. If your partner is also experiencing chlamydia symptoms, do not split the medication with them. Most states allow “Expedited Partner Therapy,” which makes it possible for you to secure a dose of medication for them without the doctor first examining your partner (excluded in FL, OH, WV, KY).
It is important that you take all of the medication your doctor prescribes to cure your infection. When taken properly it will stop the infection and could decrease your chances of having complications later on. You should not share medication for chlamydia with anyone.
- Azithromycin is a doctor prescribed and FDA-approved antibiotic used to treat chlamydia
- Daily Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, helps repopulate your gut with healthy bacteria and are recommended for anyone taking antibiotics for chlamydia
