75 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men with chlamydia have no symptoms.
For people who do develop symptoms, these may show up 1-3 weeks after contact with chlamydia, many months later or not until the infection spreads.
For people who do develop symptoms, these may show up 1-3 weeks after contact with chlamydia, many months later or not until the infection spreads.
Women may notice the following:
Unusual vaginal discharge.
Bleeding between periods.
Bleeding after sex.
Heavier periods (including those using
hormonal contraception such as the pill)
Pain (and/or bleeding) during sex.
Pain when passing urine.
Lower abdominal (pelvic) pain.
Men may notice the following:
A white/cloudy or watery
discharge
from the penis.
Burning and itching in the
genital area.
Pain when passing urine.
Painful swelling of the testicles.
For both Men and Women:
If you have any of these symptoms visit your GP, community contraceptive service or GUM (genito-urinary medicine) service
as soon as possible.
There are rarely any symptoms
if the infection is in the rectum,
but it can sometimes cause
discomfort and discharge.
Infection in the eyes can cause pain,
swelling,
irritation and discharge.
Infection in the throat isn’t common and
doesn’t produce
any symptoms.
If you have any of these symptoms visit your GP, community contraceptive service or GUM (genito-urinary medicine) service
as soon as possible.
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK; affecting both men and women. Most people who have it will have no symptoms, without a test you will probably not know anything is wrong. If you or your sexual partner are left untreated it can cause infertility (not being able to have children) and long term pelvic pain. If you are sexually active and under 25 you should be tested for chlamydia annually.
The test for chlamydia is simple – just one quick and painless test that you do yourself. You do NOT need to be examined!
To find your local chlamydia screening services enter your post code or select your region on the map.
The test for chlamydia is simple – just one quick and painless test that you do yourself. You do NOT need to be examined!
To find your local chlamydia screening services enter your post code or select your region on the map.
© 2010 National Chlamydia Screening Programme
