What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common STI (sexually transmitted infection). In most cases it is a silent condition, with no symptoms- this means it’s important for people who are sexually active to have regular testing. In women, it may present with vaginal discharge or irregular vaginal bleeding. In men, it may present with discharge from the penis or pain in the testicles. Both men and women may experience burning when passing urine. Chlamydia infection can also make it easier to catch other STIs such as HIV. Once diagnosed, it’s easy to treat, but if not caught in time, it can lead to more serious complications such as PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and inside of the pelvis. It can be silent or may cause abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, fever, burning when passing urine, pain during sex or irregular vaginal bleeding. Some women can become seriously unwell with PID, and may need admission to hospital for treatment with high doses of antibiotics. PID can lead to further complications such as ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and an increased risk of cancer- so early treatment is important.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic Pregnancy is when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus. It is more common in women who have had Chlamydia infection, because of scarring in the pelvis. Ectopic pregnancy can cause serious internal bleeding, and may be fatal if not diagnosed in time. Any woman whose period is late and develops sharp pelvic pain should be checked for ectopic pregnancy.

Complications in pregnancy

If a woman has untreated Chlamydia during pregnancy, it can increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labour. It can also be passed to the baby in the form of conjunctivitis or pneumonia. Women are routinely checked for Chlamydia at the start of each pregnancy.

Infertility

Infertility can be caused by silent or symptomatic Chlamydia infection. In women, this is due to scarring caused by the infection, which blocks the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg travelling from the ovaries to the uterus. In men, Chlamydia can also reduce fertility by causing inflammation of the testicles and affecting sperm quality.

For people who are sexually active, it’s recommended to have a screening test once a year, and when starting a new sexual relationship  (this involves a simple urine test).

If you have further concerns about Chlamydia infection or would like to get tested, talk to your doctor.

If you’ve tested positive for chlamydia or another STI, you should try to inform recent sexual partners. If you feel unable to contact them directly yourself, letthemknow.org.au can help you do so anonymously.