Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection that can have serious consequences if left untreated. Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and is spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, so many people don’t realize they are infected. However, even without symptoms, chlamydia can do long-term damage, especially to a woman’s reproductive system.
Getting tested and treated for chlamydia is important to avoid complications. If chlamydia is treated early, the prognosis is excellent. However, if it is left untreated, it can cause lasting damage.
What Are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?
Many people with chlamydia don’t notice any symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they often appear 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. Signs and symptoms can include:
- Pain or burning during urination
- Cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Bleeding between periods in women
- Testicular pain in men
Women frequently develop symptoms of chlamydia infection in the cervix (opening of the womb) before the infection spreads further into the reproductive system. Men often don’t have any noticeable symptoms of chlamydia infection, especially in the early stages. Many men and women who acquire chlamydia don’t notice it until complications occur.
What Are the Complications of Untreated Chlamydia?
There are many potential complications when chlamydia is left untreated for too long. If you think you may have been exposed to chlamydia, it is important to get tested and receive treatment promptly. Some complications associated with untreated chlamydia include:
For Women
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Chlamydia can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing inflammation called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a major cause of infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy.
- Tubal infertility: Damage from chlamydia and/or PID can cause the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries) to become blocked or scarred. This can lead to infertility.
- Ectopic pregnancy: If a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, it is known as an ectopic pregnancy. Tubal damage from chlamydia increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
- Chronic pelvic pain: Damage and inflammation from chlamydia can cause pain in the pelvis months or even years after infection.
- Cervical cancer: Chlamydia infection may increase the risk of cervical cancer.
For Men
- Epididymitis: Chlamydia bacteria can infect the epididymis, the coiled tube next to the testicles where sperm matures, causing pain and fever.
- Prostatitis: Bacteria may spread and cause inflammation of the prostate gland.
- Infertility: Chlamydia can damage sperm, reducing male fertility. Damage to testicles from epididymitis may also impact fertility.
For Both Men and Women
- Reactive arthritis: In some individuals, infection can trigger inflammation in joints (arthritis).
- Conjunctivitis: Chlamydia can infect the eyes and cause redness and irritation.
- Increased risk of HIV: Having chlamydia makes it easier to contract HIV during unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive.
The longer chlamydia goes untreated, the more damage it can cause in the body. That’s why early detection and treatment are so important.
Who Is at Risk for Chlamydia?
Any sexually active person can contract chlamydia, but some groups have a higher risk. Factors that increase the risk of getting chlamydia include:
- Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners
- Not using condoms consistently
- Being young – people under 25 are at higher risk
- Having a prior STI
- Exchanging sex for money or drugs
Chlamydia is common among young people because they are more likely to have new partners and not use protection. However, anyone who is sexually active with more than one partner is at potential risk.
Chlamydia can be transmitted even if there are no symptoms present. The longer chlamydia remains in the body, the greater the risks of lasting damage.
How Do You Test for Chlamydia?
There are two main tests that can diagnose chlamydia:
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs)
This is the most commonly used test for chlamydia. NAATs detect the genetic material (DNA) of the chlamydia bacteria. NAATs can be performed on a urine sample or a swab collected from the point of potential infection (cervix, urethra, rectum, eye, or throat). Results are provided in 1-5 days and are highly accurate.
Rapid Chlamydia tests
Some clinics use rapid chlamydia tests that provide results in about 30 minutes. They use a similar methodology to NAATs but are less sensitive and more prone to giving false negative test results. Positive rapid chlamydia test results are considered accurate. However, negative rapid chlamydia test results may need to be confirmed with a NAAT test.
Who Should Be Tested for Chlamydia?
The CDC recommends the following groups should be tested for chlamydia annually or more frequently:
- Sexually active women under age 25
- Sexually active women age 25 or above, if at increased risk
- Pregnant women under age 25 or pregnant women over 25 at increased risk
- People of any age if they have STI-related symptoms
- Men who have oral or anal sex with men
An annual chlamydia test allows prompt treatment to avoid complications. Retesting every 3-6 months is recommended for people with ongoing risk factors.
You should also get tested for chlamydia if:
- You suspect your partner has been unfaithful
- You have recently had unprotected sex with a new partner
- You change sexual partners frequently
What Is the Treatment for Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is easily cured with antibiotic treatment. The two most commonly prescribed antibiotics for chlamydia are:
- Azithromycin – Taken as a single dose. It may also be taken over 5 days.
- Doxycycline – Taken twice daily for 7 days.
Your health care provider will decide which antibiotic is most appropriate. Make sure to take all doses as prescribed to fully eliminate the infection. Avoid having sex for 7 days after beginning treatment to allow the antibiotic time to be fully effective.
All current sex partners should be informed, tested, and treated to avoid passing the infection back and forth or causing repeat infections.
To ensure the infection is fully cured, you should get retested around three months after completing treatment. This is especially important if your initial symptoms persist or return.
How Can Chlamydia Be Prevented?
Practicing safe sex is the best way to prevent chlamydia and other STIs. Suggestions include:
- Use condoms correctly every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Limit your number of sexual partners.
- Ask about your partner’s sexual health and get tested before you have sex.
- Don’t share sex toys.
- Have regular STI screenings if you are sexually active.
Getting diagnosed and treated early greatly reduces the risks of infertility and other chronic health problems caused by chlamydia. If you are in a high risk group, get tested now and then follow up with annual screenings.
Conclusion
Chlamydia is a common infection that can have serious consequences when left untreated. However, with early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment, the prognosis is excellent. Any sexually active person can get chlamydia, but women face the most significant risks of long-term complications.
Getting tested regularly and avoiding unprotected sex with multiple partners is important for reducing the spread of chlamydia. If you test positive, completing the full antibiotic regimen is essential, as well as notifying your partners to get treated. With increased awareness, testing, and responsible sexual practices, the lasting harms associated with untreated chlamydia can be reduced or prevented.