Having sex is a normal and healthy part of life, and there's no shame in wanting to take care of your sexual health. We're here to clear up any confusion about chlamydia and give you the facts, so you can stay informed and healthy.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STI) in California, especially among 20- to 30-year-olds. It’s caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis and can infect the cervix, penis, anus, and/or throat.
How do you catch it?
You can get chlamydia through vaginal, anal, and/or oral sex with someone who has the infection.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be tricky to spot since the early symptoms can be mild, and many people can experience no signs or symptoms at all. When chlamydia does decide to make itself known, here’s what symptoms a person might experience:
For people with vaginas:
- Vaginal bleeding after intercourse
- Yellowish vaginal discharge that may have a strong odor
- Swelling inside the vagina or around the anus
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
For people with penises:
- Pus or watery or milky discharge from the penis
- Swollen or tender testicles
For everyone:
- Pain or a burning feeling while urinating
- Urge to urinate more than usual
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Painful intercourse
What can happen if chlamydia is left untreated?
The longer the infection is left untreated, the higher the likelihood of complications, such as infertility, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, long-term pelvic/abdominal pain, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Getting treatment as soon as possible is crucial to reducing these risks.
How is chlamydia tested and treated?
Testing is quick and easy – usually just a urine sample and/or a swab of the area that may be infected. If you test positive, don’t panic! The treatment for chlamydia is an antibiotic, which can be easily prescribed by our clinicians. It usually takes about 7 days for the medication to cure chlamydia, and it's essential to take all the prescribed medication to ensure the infection is cleared. People who get chlamydia can get it again so it’s also important to get retested for chlamydia and other STIs after 3 months.
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