Chlamydia Patient Information leaflet
What is Chlamydia?
- Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in Australia. It is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis
- Most people with Chlamydia get the infection by having sexual contact with an infected person
- In women, Chlamydia usually affects the cervix and the uterus
- In men, it usually affects the urethra
- Chlamydia may rarely cause infection of the eye, throat and lungs
What are the common symptoms of Chlamydia?
Chlamydia often causes no symptoms.
If symptoms occur in women, they may include:
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods. In particular, bleeding after sex
- Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, which can be made worse by having sex
- Anorectal symptoms (pain or discharge around the anus)
If symptoms occur in men, they may include:
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Discharge from the end of the penis
- Pain or discomfort at the end of the penis
- Anorectal symptoms (pain or discharge around the anus)
If you think that you have been infected with Chlamydia, it is essential that you seek treatment even if you have no symptoms. Serious complications may develop if it is left untreated, and you may pass it on to your sexual partner(s).
If you are sexually active it’s important to get checked regularly, particularly if you have multiple partners.
What are the complications of Chlamydia?
- Chlamydia may cause serious infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes, which is called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This may develop suddenly and cause a fever and pain. It can also develop slowly over months or years without causing symptoms (also known as silent PID). Over time, scarring or damage to the fallopian tubes may occur. PID can cause chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus which can cause life-threatening problems).
- Risk of miscarriage, premature labour and stillbirth, is increased in pregnant women with untreated Chlamydia. If you have untreated Chlamydia during childbirth, your baby may develop an infection of their eyes or lungs.
- Subfertility in men may occur due to inflammation of the testes and reduced sperm quality.
- Reactive arthritis (painful swollen joints) is a rare complication. This is sometimes associated with inflammation of the eye and urethra.
The risk of complications is reduced if Chlamydia is treated early. So if you’re worried about Chlamydia then see your GP or health professional as soon as possible for advice, testing and treatment.
What does testing for Chlamydia involve?
- It is usually diagnosed by a urine test. The other option is to take a swab.
- Other tests may be recommended if you have had anal or oral sex and if you wish to be screened for other sexually transmitted infections.
- When chlamydia is suspected, treatment should be started without delay before test results are available. Prompt treatment reduces the risk of complications in the future
What is the treatment for Chlamydia?
A short course of the correct antibiotics usually clears Chlamydia
