Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmissible infection or STI that is passed between partners during unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. Many people with chlamydia do not have any symptoms so they may not even know they have it.

It is the most common bacterial STI world-wide, especially among people aged 15 to 29 years.

Chlamydia can infect the cervix, throat, anus, eyes, and the urethra which is a thin tube connected to the bladder through which urine passes.

Without proper treatment, Chlamydia can spread further through the body, infecting the uterus and the fallopian tubes. These are the tubes that connect the uterus to the ovaries.

When the body detects an STI, the immune system tries to destroy the infection.
There are often no symptoms during this immune response, but sometimes the area can become inflamed and sore.

As the STI is killed and immune system cells die off, they sometimes form a discharge at the opening of the vagina.

The inflammation that occurs in the cervix, uterus or fallopian tubes is called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID. PID can present as mild abdominal pain which can be missed if women mistake it for period pain. It can also cause pain or bleeding during or after sex.

PID can also cause scarring which can block the fallopian tubes and may result in infertility, as sperm released during ejaculation cannot travel through the tubes to fertilise the egg.

Damaged or scarred fallopian tubes can also impact on the process of moving a fertilised egg through the tube towards the uterus at the start of pregnancy.

The egg may then attach itself to the fallopian tube where it begins to grow.
This is called an ectopic pregnancy and can be very dangerous.

Chlamydia can also be passed from mother to baby during delivery, causing an infection in the newborn’s eyes.

Chlamydia and other STIs can be prevented by using condoms and water-based lubricant during sex, having regular sexual health check ups and ensuring you or your health provider notify your sexual partners if you are diagnosed with an STI.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmissible infection or STI that is passed between partners during unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. Many people with chlamydia do not have any symptoms so they may not even know they have it.

It is the most common bacterial STI world-wide, especially among people aged 15 to 29 years.

Chlamydia commonly infects the urethra, but can also occur in the throat, anus and even the eyes.

As the body’s immune system fights the STI, dead cells from the immune system, and cells that die as a result of the infection are occasionally passed out of the body as a clear or milky discharge or pus.

Other symptoms can be stinging pain or burning when urinating, or swollen and painful testes.

If left untreated, chlamydia can continue further into the reproductive system, affecting the seminal vesicles, vas deferens, epididymis and the testicles.

Because the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles are so small, any scarring as a result of the infection can contribute to reduced sperm counts and infertility.

Untreated chlamydia can also cause chronic epididymitis, which is persistent inflammation and pain in the testes that can be difficult to treat.

Chlamydia and other STIs can be prevented by using condoms and water-based lubricant during sex, having regular sexual health check ups and ensuring you or your health provider notify your sexual partners if you are diagnosed with an STI.