Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.
Chlamydia is often called the 'silent epidemic' - as most people don't know they have it because typically there are no symptoms. It can stay undetected for months or years, and left untreated the infection can spread and cause serious long term problems that can affect fertility and sexual health in both men and women.
Ask your pharmacist for more advice if you:
Want advice on maintaining healthy fertility
Have had sex and are worried you may have a chlamydial infection
Have had a recent change of sexual partner
Are considering starting a family and want to ensure you have no chlamydial infection that could affect your fertility
Chlamydia is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Left untreated the infection can spread and cause serious long term problems that can affect fertility and sexual health in both men and women.
These bacteria are spread by sex. Once infected, the bacteria live in the semen and vaginal fluids of men and women and are passed on through sexual contact. Chlamydia infects the cervix (neck of womb), the urethra (tube that drains urine from the bladder) and the rectum (back passage).
Men and women, particularly those aged 25-40, who are considering starting a family and are concerned about infections that could affect their fertility, should get advice from the pharmacist.
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Chlamydia affects both men and women, of all ages. It may be transmitted through unprotected sex or any genital contact with an infected sexual partner or sex toy.
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of infection. If you do not use protection i.e. have safe sex, you are at greater risk. The more partners you have, the more you are at risk of getting the infection.
Chlamydia often has no symptoms, and people can have the infection without knowing about it yet still be passing it on to their sexual partners. In fact, up to 70% of people do not experience any symptoms of infection, so it can stay hidden for months or years. Even without symptoms, it's still important to treat the infection - left untreated, it can lead to long term problems such as infertility. More Info.
Without symptoms, the only way of knowing for sure if you have a chlamydia infection is to take a test.
If you do have symptoms, they are likely to be:
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Unusual vaginal discharge, pain when passing urine or during sexual intercourse, pain below the belly button or bleeding between periods or after sex.
Pain and/or burning when passing urine, discharge from the penis, or swelling and pain in the testicles.
If the infection is in the rectum, there are rarely any symptoms but it may cause discomfort and discharge. Sometimes inflamation of the joints and eyes, this is known as Reiter's syndrome and is more common in men than women.
Symptoms suggestive of other sexually transmitted infections: unusual lumps, bumps, sores, blisters around genital or anal area.
If you have any of these symptoms, speak to your pharmacist or GP or visit a clinic that specialises in treating sexually transmitted infections.
People with chlamydia infection, who remain undiagnosed and untreated, are at risk of developing serious long term problems which can affect fertility and can be more difficult to treat. In women, these include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to infertility, can seriously affect the womb and the fallopian tubes and can cause ectopic pregnancy (when pregnancy develops outside the womb). In men, the infection may spread to the epididymis causing pain and swelling in the testicles and can cause infertility.
It's important to remember that left untreated, the infection can be passed on to partners unknowingly.
Treatment for uncomplicated chlamydia is straightforward. It can be simply treated with antibiotics. If you don't have symptoms, you can now buy Clamelle Azithromycin 500mg Tablets which contain the antibiotic Azithromycin from your pharmacy providing you have been tested for chlamydia and the pharmacist confirms the treatment is appropriate for you. Always read the label. It can also be used to treat sexual partners. You can also get treatment on the NHS by visiting a clinic specialising in sexually transmitted infections or your GP.
Chlamydia is passed on through sexual intercourse, with a higher risk of infection with unprotected sex, this includes vaginal, anal and oral sex and using sex toys. The best way to protect yourself is to use barrier protection, that is condoms, every time. If you do have an accident with a condom, it is important that you get yourself checked out as soon as possible.
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