Chlamydia

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Chlamydia is a common STI, which you can pass easily. In 2024, there were over 168,800 new chlamydia diagnoses in England.
There is a simple test for chlamydia and effective treatment to cure it.

To order a test, please click here.

What is it and how do I get it?

Chlamydia is an STI caused by the bacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis.

You can pass it through:

• Vaginal Sex
• Anal Sex
• Oral Sex
• Sharing Sex Toys
• Mutual Masturbation

Pregnant people can also pass untreated chlamydia to the baby during birth.

You can NOT pass it by:
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• Kissing / Hugging
• Swimming in a pool
• Using a public loo
• Sharing towels / cups / plates / cutlery

How can I prevent it?

You can lower the risk of chlamydia spreading by using condoms correctly.

For more details on using condoms, please see our Safer Sex page.

What might I notice?

You might notice nothing. Roughly 50% of people with penises have no symptoms. Roughly 70% of people with vaginas have no symptoms.

Even if you do notice symptoms, they might not appear for weeks or months. This does not mean you don't have chlamydia. You could still pass it to your partner(s).

Symptoms of chlamydia can also come and go. If your symptoms clear up, it doesn't mean you no longer have chlamydia. You could still get complications or pass it on to your partner(s).

I have a penis

You might notice:

• Whitish, cloudy, or watery discharge from your penis
• Burning, itching or tingling when you wee
• Pain or swelling in your balls (testicles)

 
I have a vagina

You might notice:

• More / different discharge, such as greenish or blood-stained
• Bleeding between your periods or after sex
• Pain when you wee or have sex
• Tummy pain / pelvic pain

Other Symptoms

You might also notice:

• Painful, red eyes (conjunctivitis) - if the germs come in contact with your eyes
• Pain in the rectum
• Bleeding or discharge from the rectum

​Although you can spread chlamydia through oral sex, it doesn't often cause oral symptoms.

How do I get a test?

There are reliable tests for chlamydia. They are quick, free, and easy to take.

Chlamydia can take up to two weeks to show positive without symptoms. A test taken within two weeks might not be accurate. If you have tested negative in this window, we recommend you take another test. For more advice, please see Window Periods page.

You should test earlier if you:

• Have symptoms
• Have had unprotected sex with someone who has tested positive

The test works by swabbing the throat, vagina, or anus. If you have a penis, it is a urine sample.

You can book an at home test here.

If you are concerned, please get in touch.

How do I get treatment?

If you have chlamydia, the standard treatment is antibiotics. The antibiotics prescribed most often for this illness are doxycycline and azithromycin.

If you need treatment for chlamydia, please book an appointment.

You shouldn't have sex again until:
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• ​​​You have completed your course of treatment
• You have completed at least 7 days of treatment, if you were prescribed a short course
• Any relevant partners have completed their courses of treatment

Do I need a follow up after treatment?

Most people do not need a follow-up appointment after treatment. Some people think you need to test to 'check if it has gone'. You don't need to do this if you have taken your antibiotics as prescribed.

You should not retest for chlamydia within five weeks of treatment. You may get a false positive.
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If you are pregnant, you should retest to check your chlamydia has gone. You should retest five weeks after completing your treatment.

What if I don't get treatment?

Chlamydia is a treatable illness. If you find and treat it quickly, it doesn't cause long-term problems.

If it isn't treated quickly, it can lead to:

• Infections in the pelvis, balls (testicles), or epididymis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Pregnancy complications, such as ectopic pregnancy, premature birth, and post-birth infection
• Lowered fertility

​Some of these are very rare. It is still important to know about them.

Should I tell my partners?

If you test positive for chlamydia, you should tell your partners. This is so they can test too and get treatment if they need it.
If you aren't sure, we can help you figure out who to contact. If you would prefer, we can reach out on your behalf. We do this through a system called contact tracing.

You shouldn't have sex with your regular partners until:

• They have taken a test, and
• Everyone who tested positive has completed their treatment

​It is possible that a partner who has been cured could catch chlamydia again.

Find out more about chlamydia on the NHS Website.