Chlamydia
REMINDER:
STIs are extremely common and should not be shamed or stigmatized! Having an STI does not make you unhealthy, dirty or unworthy. Encourage open conversation around STIs and normalise testing.
Chlamydia
kluh-mid-eee-uh / Chlamydia Trachomatis / The Clam
In the UK, Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
It is caused by bacteria and can be transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Similarly to most STIs, it can be passed onto ALL sexes.
How do you get chlamydia?
Bacteria is spread thorugh contact with genital fluids - it can NOT be transmitted through casual contact e.g. kissing. It can be transmitted from someone who is pregnant to their baby during delivery.
It can be transmitted through:
Symptoms
It is very common for people to have chlamydia and not know/not notice any symptoms. Even when symptoms occur, they are often very mild and easily overlooked. It is important to get regularly checked!
Signs of chlamydia:
How serious is chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be treated fairly easily with a short course of antibiotics. therefore it is important to get STI checks regularly to spot anything early on!
If left untreated, chlamydia can affect other parts of the body and cause long-term health problems. For example, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), prostate gland infection, infection near the testicles (epididymitis) and infertility.
Help to normalise STI testing - it is a perfectly normal activity to engage in when sexually active!
Prevention
REMINDER:
STIs are extremely common and should not be shamed or stigmatized! Having an STI does not make you unhealthy, dirty or unworthy. Encourage open conversation around STIs and normalise testing.
Chlamydia
kluh-mid-eee-uh / Chlamydia Trachomatis / The Clam
In the UK, Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
It is caused by bacteria and can be transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Similarly to most STIs, it can be passed onto ALL sexes.
How do you get chlamydia?
Bacteria is spread thorugh contact with genital fluids - it can NOT be transmitted through casual contact e.g. kissing. It can be transmitted from someone who is pregnant to their baby during delivery.
It can be transmitted through:
- unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
- sharing sex toys that are not washed or protecting by new condoms per new use
- genitals coming into contact with genitals - no penetration or ejaculation required!
- chlamydia can be transmitted thorugh infected semen or vaginal fluids entering the eye
Symptoms
It is very common for people to have chlamydia and not know/not notice any symptoms. Even when symptoms occur, they are often very mild and easily overlooked. It is important to get regularly checked!
Signs of chlamydia:
- pain or burning when urinating
- unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- pain during sex
- bleeding between periods and/or after sex (those with vulvas)
- testicular pain and/or swelling (those with testes)
- lower belly pain
How serious is chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be treated fairly easily with a short course of antibiotics. therefore it is important to get STI checks regularly to spot anything early on!
If left untreated, chlamydia can affect other parts of the body and cause long-term health problems. For example, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), prostate gland infection, infection near the testicles (epididymitis) and infertility.
Help to normalise STI testing - it is a perfectly normal activity to engage in when sexually active!
Prevention
- use condoms - condoms designed for those with penises AND those with vulvas are awesome ways to reduce sexual contact. Of course, there is still a risk of them breaking, so consider this before any sexual activity.
- avoid sharing sex toys - if you want to share, use condoms for each person's use and wash them thoroughly!
- if you know you currently have chlamydia, don't have sex to avoid transmitting to someone else. Wait until it is treated, it doesn't take long!
- communicate - ask and tell your sexual partners about their/your sexual health history. It helps remove the stigma around STIs and helps for informed decisions about any sexual activities!
