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Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) spread through unprotected sex. It’s very common among sexually active young people.
If you are sexually active, testing for chlamydia once a year or after sex with new or casual partners is recommended.

Chlamydia is caused by bacteria and spreads through:

  • Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
  • Sharing unclean or uncovered sex toys
  • Genital contact, even without penetration or ejaculation
  • Infected fluids entering the eye
  • During childbirth (from mother to baby)

Chlamydia is not spread through casual contact, such as kissing, hugging, sharing baths, towels, or toilet seats.

⚠️ Symptoms

 

 

 
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💎 Prevention

 

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💊 Treatment

 

 

 

🧪 Testing

 

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General Information

Most people with chlamydia do not experience symptoms. When symptoms occur, they usually appear 1–3 weeks after infection but may take longer. Symptoms can also disappear, even though the infection remains.

Common Symptoms
  • Pain when urinating
  • Unusual discharge from the genitals
  • Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis
  • Pain during sex
  • Fever
  • Bleeding after sex or between periods (if applicable)
  • If left untreated, chlamydia can infect the womb and surrounding areas leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy, or infect the testicles causing .
  • Swelling or pain, potentially affecting fertility if untreated. Both of these infections are potentially serious and need immediate treatment. 
Other Possible Infections
  • Rectum: Discomfort or discharge (from anal sex).
  • Throat: Less common and usually symptomless (from oral sex).
  • Eyes: Redness, pain, discharge (if infected fluids enter the eye). This is serious and needs immediate treatment. 

If you have any of the above symptoms, please see your doctor. 

 

To reduce the risk of chlamydia:

  • Use condoms for vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
  • Avoid sharing sex toys, or clean and cover them with new condoms between uses.

 

Chlamydia is treatable with antibiotics. Your doctor will advise how to treat it if you test positive, or if they suspect infection and do not want to wait for results to become available.

Avoid sex for 2 weeks after treatment before having sex. 

It’s important that sexual partners are also tested and treated to prevent reinfection. Those under 25 who test positive are advised to retest 3–6 months after treatment due to a higher risk of reinfection.

 

What Testing Involves

  • A swab of the potentially infected area (genitals, anus, throat).
  • A urine sample (ideally 2 hours after last urination).

Get tested if

  • You or your partner have symptoms.
  • You’ve had unprotected sex or a condom split.
  • You or your partner have had other sexual partners.
  • You’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy.