Chlamydia
How Do You Get It?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria that’s passed on during sex — this includes vaginal, oral, and anal sex without a condom.
You can’t catch chlamydia from kissing, hugging, swimming pools, toilet seats, or by sharing towels, cups, or cutlery.
You can’t catch chlamydia from kissing, hugging, swimming pools, toilet seats, or by sharing towels, cups, or cutlery.
What Are The Signs?
Most people with chlamydia don’t notice any symptoms, so it’s easy to have it without knowing.
If you have a penis, you might notice tingling or pain when weeing, or discharge (liquid) from the tip.
If you have a vagina, you might have pain when weeing, pain during sex, tummy pain, bleeding between periods, or a change in vaginal discharge.
Chlamydia is easy to treat, especially if found early. But if it’s left untreated, it can cause infections in the pelvis or testicles and can affect your chances of getting pregnant in the future.
If you have a penis, you might notice tingling or pain when weeing, or discharge (liquid) from the tip.
If you have a vagina, you might have pain when weeing, pain during sex, tummy pain, bleeding between periods, or a change in vaginal discharge.
Chlamydia is easy to treat, especially if found early. But if it’s left untreated, it can cause infections in the pelvis or testicles and can affect your chances of getting pregnant in the future.
How Do I Test?
If you don’t have symptoms, it’s best to test two weeks after sex (that’s how long it can take to show up). If you do have symptoms, test sooner.
Testing is simple — we can take a swab from the vagina, bum, or throat, or a urine sample for people with penises. You can even take the swab yourself.
You can book an at home test here or we can help you choose the best test for you. Just get in touch.
If you do have chlamydia, it’s treated easily with antibiotic tablets.
Testing is simple — we can take a swab from the vagina, bum, or throat, or a urine sample for people with penises. You can even take the swab yourself.
You can book an at home test here or we can help you choose the best test for you. Just get in touch.
If you do have chlamydia, it’s treated easily with antibiotic tablets.
Should I Tell My Sexual Partners?
Yes — it’s important to let recent partners know so they can get tested and treated too.
Our nurses and doctors can help you figure out who to tell, and can even contact them for you if you prefer.
Avoid sex with regular partners until you’ve both finished treatment — otherwise you could pass it back and forth.
Our nurses and doctors can help you figure out who to tell, and can even contact them for you if you prefer.
Avoid sex with regular partners until you’ve both finished treatment — otherwise you could pass it back and forth.
Find out more about Chlamydia on the NHS Website.