Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection ( STI )

Around half of all men and 8 out of 10 women who contract Chlamydia will not experience any symptoms, which explains why it has been dubbed the “Silent” disease.

Chlamydia is mostly prevalent in young people with nearly 70% of new cases reported being in people under 25.

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium ( chlamydia trachomatis ) that can live within area like the penis, vagina or the rectum. Traces of the bacterium can be found in male semen and vaginal fluids of men and women who are infected.

Chlamydia is commonly passed between sexual partners via vaginal, anal or oral sex. Therefore it is important if you are sexually active that you practice “safe sex” and always use appropriate protection. This is especially relevant if you have frequent sexual intercourse with different partners.

Symptoms can include:

In Men

·         Discharge from the penis

·         Discomfort or irritation at the tip of the penis

In Women

·         Irregular vaginal discharge

·         Cystitis

·         Abdominal pain

A large proportion of people who have this infection are unaware of just how dangerous it is. Chlamydia is also extremely infectious. If left untreated it can cause serious and often permanent damage to your sex organs.

In Men

·         Can cause fertility problems by decreasing sperm production

In Women

·         Can cause damage to fallopian tubes affecting fertility

Treatment consists of firstly diagnosing the infection using a swab or a urine test and can be performed by your GP, or local sexual health clinic.

If you think you may be infected with Chlamydia you can request a consultation with our doctors who may be able to prescribe a course of treatment.