Chlamydia

What is it?

Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial STIs in the UK.

How is it passed on?

Chlamydia is easily passed from one person to another during oral, vaginal or anal sex. It can sometimes affect the eye if semen or vaginal fluid comes into contact with the eye.

Sex toys can also pass on chlamydia if they are not washed or covered by a new condom each time they are used.

You can’t get chlamydia from sharing towels, cups, plates, cutlery or toilet seats

What are the symptoms?

80% of women and 50% of men who have Chlamydia will have no symptoms

Symptoms you might notice

• Pain passing urine or having sex
• Unusual discharge from the penis, vagina or rectum
• In women or trans men – stomach pain, bleeding during or after sex, and bleeding in between periods
• Pain and swelling in the testicles

How do you test for it?

Chlamydia tests can be done with a urine sample or swabs taken from the vagina, anus or throat, depending on the type of sex you have.

We will recommend the best test for you depending on whether you have any symptoms and what they are.

It can take 2 weeks for Chlamydia to show up on tests. If you test whilst you are still within this “window period” you may need to repeat your tests once you are outside the window period. If you experience any concerning symptoms, please contact LSH so we can offer an assessment as soon as possible.

What happens if I don’t get treated?

If Chlamydia is left untreated, it can lead to more serious health complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

What is the treatment?

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics – typically one set of tablets.

It is important that your recent sexual partners are treated and tested, even if they have no symptoms.