Just The Facts about Sexually Transmitted Infections

CHLAMYDIA

What is it?

Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection (bug) that is easily treated, but can lead to long-term health problems if untreated.

  • In people with a vagina

    Chlamydia infects the cervix (the entry to the uterus which is the sack where the baby grows) and can spread to other parts of the urinary (where wee comes out of) and reproductive systems.

  • In people with a penis

    Chlamydia infects the urethra (the tube that carries wee) and can spread to the reproductive system (that produces sperm for making babies).

How do you get it?

Chlamydia is usually spread through sex or coming into contact with infected genital fluids e.g. from sharing sex toys.

  • Read more

    You can get chlamydia from:

    • unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
    • sharing sex toys that haven't been cleaned between uses or covered with a condom 
    • genitals coming into contact with another partner's genitals - which means chlamydia can be passed on even without penetration, orgasm or ejaculation 
    • infected semen or vaginal fluid getting into the eye
    • from a pregnant mother to their baby at birth and can affect the baby’s eyes or lungs

Symptoms

Most people who have chlamydia don’t notice any symptoms, so they don’t know they have the infection—this is why testing is really important!

  • In people with a vagina

    • discharge or fluid leaking from the vagina
    • pain when urinating or low tummy pain, especially during sex
    • unusual bleeding between periods or after sex
    • discharge or bleeding from your anus if you have been having anal sex

  • In people with a penis

    • soreness, unusual discharge or itching at the opening end of the penis (urethra)
    • pain when urinating
    • discharge or bleeding from your anus if you have been having anal sex
    • very occasionally there can be pain or swelling in the testicles

Is it serious?

If not treated, chlamydia can lead to infertility (not being able to have babies).

  • In people with a vagina

    If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can cause long-term damage to the reproductive system (where babies develop). If the inflammation continues for a long time, it can cause scarring and block the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry the eggs to the uterus where the baby grows), meaning the sperm may not get to an egg, and the person could become infertile (not being able to have babies).


    Mothers should take care at childbirth as chlamydia can be passed to their baby at birth and may result in an eye or lung infection in the baby.

  • In people with a penis

    Chlamydia can lead to a lower sperm count and negatively impact the quality of the sperm. It also increases risk of an inflammation called epididymitis (which affects the tube that carries sperm). This can lead to scarring and eventually lead to infertility. 

How do you get tested?

Testing is easy! People with a vagina will have a vaginal swab. People with a penis will have a urine test (pee in a pot). Other tests may be required dependant on the type of sexual contact you have. You can be checked for chlamydia by your doctor, nurse or at a sexual health clinic.

  • People with a vagina

    A swab will be taken from your vagina. If you have no symptoms, you can do the swab yourself. If you do have symptoms, a doctor or nurse will need to examine you in case your symptoms are being caused by something else.


    Other swabs may be required (e.g. from the anus and throat) depending on the type of sexual contact you have.

  • People with a penis

    You will need to take a urine test (pee in a pot).


    Other swabs may be required (e.g. from the anus and throat) depending on the type of sexual contact you have.

Treatment

Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics.

  • Read more

    Luckily, if you are diagnosed with chlamydia, it is easily treated with a prescription of oral antibiotics. This could be just a single dose, or a two-week course of treatment. You must finish all the tablets you are prescribed to clear the infection, even if you already feel better.


    It is important to make sure any at risk current sexual partner/s are treated and not to have any unprotected sexual contact for the duration of your treatment (including oral sex).

Prevention

Chlamydia can be prevented by using condoms correctly every time you have sex from start to finish.

Telling your sexual partner/s

If you are diagnosed with Chlamydia it is important that you tell anyone you have had sex with in the last 3 months. Partner notification is important to prevent reinfection and reduce transmission.

  • Read more

    If you are diagnosed with chlamydia, you’ll need to inform anyone you have had sex with in the last three months so they can get a sexual health check. Where the sexual contact was within two weeks or the person is symptomatic, they should have treatment even if tests are normal. Otherwise, they should be treated if their results are positive.


    Partner notification is important to prevent reinfection and reduce transmission. Your doctor, nurse or sexual health clinic can help you deal with this situation, or read our page on How to tell a partner about STIs?


    It is also important:

    • to use condoms correctly every time you have sex from start to finish, or not have sex for seven days after your treatment is finished, so you don’t pass chlamydia on to anyone else.
    • that any current sexual partner/s are treated and either use condoms, or don’t have sex, until the treatment is completed for both of you, or you risk catching chlamydia again.
    • to get another STI check after three months to check everything is OK.
Note: External genitalia is commonly referred to as the ‘vagina’, although the correct term is actually the vulva. We’ll stick with vagina as that’s the term most people use.
Share by: