It is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI)
	It is easily treated with antibiotics
	It affects both men and women

About 1 in 10 sexually active young people under 25 tested have chlamydia, yet most people who have chlamydia have no signs or symptoms and won’t know they have got it.

A simple test can tell you if you have it.

What are the symptoms?

You may have no symptoms at all. But if you do they could include the following:

	In women there may be increased discharge from the vagina, an increased need to pass urine, bleeding in between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse or discomfort passing urine.
	In men there may be tingling or discomfort passing urine or fluid (discharge) from the tip of the penis or painful swelling of the testicles.

What effect can chlamydia have on you?

What happens if chlamydia isn't treated?

Without proper treatment the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term complications.

In women

Chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to long-term pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).

In men

Chlamydia can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and possibly reduced fertility. It is thought that in some men it might cause the prostate to become inflamed.

In men and women

Inflammation or swelling of the joints can occur (reactive arthritis). This is sometimes accompanied by inflammation of the uretha (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body) and the eye, when it is known as Reiter's syndrome. This is rare and occurs more in men than in women.

How could you get chlamydia?

	You could get it by having unprotected sex with someone who has chlamydia. This might have been recently or many months, even years ago.
	The infection can spread if you have vaginal, anal or oral sex or share sex toys.
	You can also pass the infection to the eyes if it is on someone's hands.
	Also a mother can pass it to her baby at birth.

Safer sex

Using condoms every time you have sex can reduce the risk of getting or passing on chlamydia or other STIs.

Who can get tested?

Anybody under 25 who has been or is sexually active and currently has no symptoms. Under 16’s can also be tested.

If you are 25 or over or have symptoms, we are sorry but the screening programme cannot test you. You are advised to contact your local GUM service at Macclesfield 01625 663400 or Leighton 01270 612255 for advice and testing.

BACK TO TOP