Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause a variety of symptoms. Some people wonder if chlamydia can also lead to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea or changes in bowel habits. Here is a closer look at the link between chlamydia and poop.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. There are two main types of chlamydia infection:
- Chlamydia trachomatis – infects the cervix, urethra, throat, and rectum
- Chlamydia pneumoniae – infects the lungs and respiratory system
The most common STD version of chlamydia is C. trachomatis. This bacteria spreads through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner. Using condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching chlamydia through sex.
Chlamydia trachomatis causes a bacterial infection in the mucous membranes of the genitals, throat, and rectum. If left untreated, chlamydia can spread further into the reproductive organs and cause serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.
Common chlamydia infection symptoms
Many people with chlamydia have mild symptoms or none at all. When symptoms do occur, they often start 1 to 3 weeks after becoming infected. Some of the most common chlamydia symptoms include:
- Burning or pain during urination
- Lower abdominal pain
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Bleeding between periods
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- Sore throat (from oral sex)
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (from anal sex)
Without treatment, chlamydia symptoms may go away but the infection will remain. It can still damage the reproductive system. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have chlamydia.
Can chlamydia cause gastrointestinal symptoms?
The primary versions of chlamydia that cause STIs do not directly lead to digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain. However, some studies show connections between chlamydia infections and bowel symptoms:
- Reactive arthritis – Up to 15% of people with a chlamydia infection may develop reactive arthritis as a secondary complication. This autoimmune reaction can trigger inflammation and pain in joints and tendons. Reactive arthritis may also cause inflammation in the eyes, urinary tract, and gastrointestinal system leading to diarrhea, stomach pain, or mouth ulcers.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease – Chlamydia can spread into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic organs. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) causes inflammation that may indirectly lead to abdominal cramping, pain, and abnormal bowel habits.
- Proctitis – If chlamydia spreads to the rectum, it can cause inflammation of the rectal lining (proctitis). Rectal chlamydia increases the risk of diarrhea or rectal pain.
In most cases, proper treatment of the initial chlamydia infection with antibiotics should resolve any digestive issues stemming from complications. Let your doctor know if you experience diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain that does not go away after chlamydia treatment.
Can chlamydia affect bowel movements?
irect bowel or stool changes are not typical symptoms of urogenital chlamydia infections. But chlamydia can sometimes impact bowel movements if it spreads to the gastrointestinal system and causes:
- Proctitis – Inflammation of the rectal lining may cause urgency, increased frequency, and diarrhea.
- PID and abdominal inflammation – If pelvic inflammatory disease spreads to the intestines or causes abdominal muscle pain, it may make defecation uncomfortable or difficult.
- Reactive arthritis – Joint inflammation or eye problems from reactive arthritis may make getting to the bathroom more challenging.
These secondary complications are more likely to occur if chlamydia infections are repeated or left untreated. Using protection during sex and getting regular STI tests can greatly reduce the risks.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or visit a sexual health clinic if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Unusual discharge from penis or vagina
- Pain in lower abdomen
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Diarrhea lasting more than 2-3 days
Getting tested is the only way to know for sure if chlamydia is present. Urine or swab tests can confirm a diagnosis. Antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline easily cure most chlamydia infections. Never try to self-treat an STI with over-the-counter medication without seeing a doctor.
Also seek medical care if you develop any digestive concerns like diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain that persists after taking antibiotics for chlamydia.
How chlamydia affects the digestive system
The Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria mainly infect the urogenital tract and reproductive organs. But chlamydia infections can spread further and impact the gastrointestinal system in a few ways:
Direct infection of the GI tract
It is possible, though less common, for chlamydia to directly infect the rectum, colon, or throat. This may cause inflammation, pain, and bowel changes like diarrhea or bleeding.
Spread to the pelvic region
Chlamydia can move up into the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and surrounding pelvic tissue. Pelvic inflammatory disease leads to widespread inflammation that may put pressure on the bowels.
Reactive arthritis complication
In some people, untreated chlamydia triggers an autoimmune reaction called reactive arthritis weeks or months later. The immune system attacks the joints, eyes, and urethra, as well as potentially the digestive tract.
Psychosomatic symptoms
The stress of an undiagnosed STI may also contribute to psychosomatic gastrointestinal symptoms like cramps, diarrhea, orconstipation even though chlamydia itself does not directly cause bowel issues.
Can you get chlamydia from poop?
Chlamydia is not typically transmitted through the fecal-oral route. However, it is possible to catch chlamydia during anal sex if the rectum is exposed to infected semen or vaginal fluids.
Using condoms and dental dams during anal sex reduces the risk of contracting chlamydia and other STIs. Avoiding unprotected oral-anal contact (rimming) also lowers the chance of getting chlamydia through the GI tract.
In extremely rare cases, an active chlamydia infection in the lower colon or rectum could get transmitted through direct contact with infected fecal matter. But this risk is very low. The bacteria cannot survive long outside of the human body.
Preventing chlamydia transmission
Chlamydia spreads through unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner. The best ways to reduce your risk include:
- Using condoms correctly every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex
- Limiting your number of sexual partners and avoiding casual sex with strangers
- Avoiding sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Asking partners to get tested before sex and sharing results
- Getting screened for STIs regularly if sexually active
Even if you do not have symptoms, get tested for chlamydia and other STIs at least once a year if you are sexually active or have multiple partners. Take all prescribed antibiotics fully even after symptoms resolve to make sure the infection is cured.
Although rare, also use protection during activities like rimming or oral-anal contact to reduce the chances of transmitting chlamydia through the GI tract.
Treatment for chlamydia
Chlamydia is easily cured with a short course of antibiotics in most cases. The recommended treatments are:
- Azithromycin – single 1 gram dose taken orally
- Doxycycline – 100 mg twice per day for 7 days
Your doctor may give you other antibiotic options as well. Be sure to take the full course as prescribed, even if symptoms improve quickly. This helps prevent the infection from persisting and reduces the risk of complications.
Ask your doctor if you need to be re-tested 3-4 weeks after finishing treatment to confirm the infection is gone. All sexual partners from the last 2 months should also be notified, tested, and treated if positive.
Probiotics for chlamydia
There is some evidence that taking probiotic supplements during and after chlamydia treatment may help:
- Reduce side effects from antibiotics
- Boost the immune response against chlamydia bacteria
- Speed healing of inflamed urogenital or bowel tissues
Talk to your doctor about taking a probiotic supplement with 1-10 billion CFUs of healthy bacteria like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. This may support recovery and lower recurrence risk. But probiotics are not a substitute for antibiotics.
Home remedies and natural treatments
There are no proven home remedies that can cure a chlamydia infection or significantly improve symptoms. Affected individuals still require antibiotics. Some complementary techniques that may help your body’s own healing include:
- Pelvic heat therapy – Heating pads or hot water bottles may reduce lower abdominal pain and cramping.
- Sitz baths – 20-minute soaks in warm water can help ease rectal pain or urethral discomfort.
- Stress management – Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can lessen feelings of anxiety, depression, and psychosomatic symptoms.
- Healthy diet – Focusing on anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, fish, and nuts may help GI healing.
Check with your healthcare provider before using any supplements like herbs or probiotics to make sure they do not interact with antibiotics or other medications.
Complications of untreated chlamydia
Without proper treatment, chlamydia can lead to serious long-term consequences including:
- Chronic pelvic pain in women
- Scarring of the fallopian tubes that causes infertility
- Higher risk of ectopic pregnancy
- Reactive arthritis causing joint inflammation
- Urethral stricture in men
- Increased transmission risk of HIV
Rarely, untreated infections that spread throughout the body can progress to fever, sepsis, or pneumonia.
Getting tested regularly and starting antibiotics quickly greatly reduces the likelihood of major complications. But some people experience persistent symptoms or repeat infections even after treatment. Work closely with your doctor if chlamydia comes back or digestive problems continue.
When can you have sex again after chlamydia?
It is best to avoid all sexual activity for 7 days after starting chlamydia treatment. This allows time for the antibiotics to work and helps prevent transmitting the infection to partners.
Once you and your partners complete treatment and any re-tests come back negative, it is safe to resume sex. Use protection such as condoms for at least 3 months until repeat infections are unlikely.
Keep taking the full antibiotic course even if symptoms resolve quickly. Do not have unprotected sex until both you and your partners complete treatment to avoid ping-ponging the infection back and forth.
Chlamydia and pregnancy risks
Chlamydia during pregnancy increases the risk of:
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Preterm birth
- Low birth weight babies
- Pneumonia or conjunctivitis in newborns
Infants can catch chlamydia during delivery if the birth canal is infected. This can cause serious pneumonia and eye infections in newborns.
All pregnant women should get tested for chlamydia at the first prenatal care visit. Anyone who tests positive needs immediate antibiotics to help prevent transmitting the infection to the baby.
Chlamydia vs gonorrhea vs herpes
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes are three common sexually transmitted infections. The differences include:
| Chlamydia | Gonorrhea | Herpes (HSV) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause | Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria | Neisseria gonorrhea bacteria | Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 or 2 |
| Transmission | Vaginal, oral, or anal sex | Vaginal, oral, or anal sex | Skin-to-skin contact, sex |
| Common symptoms | Often none, can cause abnormal discharge or burning urination | Burning urination, green/yellow discharge, sore throat | Sores, blisters, itching, burning, pain |
| Complications | Pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility | Epididymitis, joint pain | Repeated outbreaks |
| Treatment | Antibiotics | Antibiotics | Antiviral medication |
Many STIs have no symptoms initially, so regular screening is important to detect and treat any infections before complications develop.
Conclusion
In most cases, chlamydia does not directly cause changes in bowel movements or stool consistency. However, some people may experience diarrhea, abdominal pain, or rectal bleeding if chlamydia spreads and causes inflammation of the lower digestive tract.
Treating the initial urogenital chlamydia infection with antibiotics should resolve any associated digestive effects. See a doctor about any bowel symptoms that persist after completing STI treatment. Using condoms, limiting sexual partners, and regular screening are the best ways to avoid contracting chlamydia in the first place.