Is Chlamydia Curable? Everything You Need to Know About Getting Treated
Medically reviewed and edited by Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects millions of Americans each year.
The condition causes a bacterial infection in the genital area that can be painful and uncomfortable to live with.
If left untreated, chlamydia can cause long-term complications that can impact your quality of life.
However, it is possible to treat chlamydia and recover fully without the risk of developing other medical issues.
Although this condition is curable, it’s essential to know how to approach your chlamydia treatment and what to do in case of reinfection.
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What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that develops when harmful bacteria—called chlamydia trachomatis—infect the genital area.
It’s commonly spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex and when protection isn’t used consistently.
What are the Most Common Symptoms of Chlamydia?
A chlamydia infection rarely causes noticeable or severe symptoms, making it difficult to tell whether you have it. If you do develop symptoms, you may experience any of the following:
Abnormal discharge that has a strong odor
Burning sensation or pain while urinating
Painful or swollen genitals
Abdominal and pelvic pain
Unusual bleeding in the genital area
Pain during sex
You should make an appointment to speak to your doctor or get an STD test as soon as you suspect you may have chlamydia.
This helps to treat the infection before it becomes severe and also prevents spreading it to your sexual partners.
How is Chlamydia Diagnosed?
Chlamydia should be diagnosed by a licensed medical professional at a sexual health clinic or by your healthcare provider.
During your appointment, your nurse or doctor will perform an STD test. This involves collecting a swab or blood sample from you, which will be sent to a lab.
At the lab, the samples will be tested for various STDs, and your results will be sent back to your doctor.
They will then inform you about your diagnosis and recommend further treatment if you test positive.
Is chlamydia a serious condition?
If chlamydia is left untreated, it can cause serious long-term conditions that can affect your quality of life.
Some of these conditions can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system and may even be fatal.
The good news is that chlamydia can be treated, and you can recover fully without the risk of developing a severe illness.
Key Point: What Are Some of the Complications That Chlamydia Can Cause?
It’s important to receive proper treatment for a chlamydia infection as soon as possible. If you don’t, you may be at risk of developing the following conditions.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): This is an infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes that can cause a fever and pain in the pelvis. Severe infections can cause female reproductive health complications and might even require hospitalization.
Reactive arthritis: This condition typically affects the joints, eyes, and urethra, causing pain and inflammation.
Epididymitis: A chlamydia infection can cause inflammation in the coiled tube beside each testicle (epididymis), resulting in scrotal pain and swelling.
Prostatitis: Prostatitis—or prostate gland infection—can cause pain during or after sex, fever, and chills. It may also cause painful urination and lower back pain.
Infections in newborns: A chlamydia infection can pass from the vaginal canal to a newborn baby during delivery. This can cause pneumonia or a serious eye infection.
Ectopic pregnancy: This occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus. The pregnancy typically needs to be terminated to prevent life-threatening complications, such as a burst tube and internal bleeding.
Infertility: Chlamydia infections — even those that produce no signs or symptoms —can cause scarring and obstruction in the fallopian tubes, which might make women infertile.
What are the Treatment Options for Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is usually treated with antibiotics. The strain of antibiotics you receive will depend on the severity of your infection.
Common antibiotics used for treating chlamydia, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are:
Doxycycline
Azithromycin
Levofloxacin
If you are prescribed antibiotics, it’s important to take them exactly as directed. You should complete the full course of medication, even if your symptoms have cleared up.
Stopping your course before completing it may prevent the medicine from killing all of the harmful bacteria in your system. This can cause the organisms to multiply and infect you again.
Many health care providers recommend getting retested for chlamydia three months after treatment to give you peace of mind that you have completely healed from your infection.
Is Chlamydia Curable?
Chlamydia is highly curable, with treatment showing a 95% success rate.
However, some research has shown that certain chlamydia treatments may fail to prevent reinfection, especially in women.
It’s important to follow the exact treatment plan recommended by your doctor to have the best chance of recovering fully.
Remember that even though medication will stop and treat the chlamydia infection, it won’t be able to undo any permanent damage caused by the disease.
That’s why early treatment and prevention are essential for making a full recovery without the risk of any further complications.
How long does it take for chlamydia to go away?
Treatment for chlamydia can take up to one week. During this time, your symptoms should start to improve and go away completely.
It’s important to note that complications caused by chlamydia may linger for a longer period of time, even if the initial infection has cleared up.
Key Point: Why Do I Keep Getting Chlamydia?
Although reinfection is uncommon, you can get chlamydia again under certain circumstances. The most common reasons for reinfection include:
- Not taking your medication as instructed or failing to complete your antibiotics course.
- Having sex with someone who has untreated chlamydia.
- Using sex toys that haven’t been cleaned properly after being used by someone with chlamydia.
If you develop chlamydia again after having received treatment, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
They will be able to recommend the appropriate course of action.
Can Chlamydia Be Prevented?
Although there is no way to prevent a chlamydia infection, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk:
Using protection every time you engage in sexual activities—especially during penetrative actions like vaginal or anal sex.
Avoid sharing sex toys with other people or ensure that they are properly cleaned.
Getting tested for chlamydia and other STDs regularly.
Be honest with your partner about your STD history and ask them about theirs.
If you or your partner is currently receiving treatment for chlamydia, you should avoid having sex with anyone for at least a week or until you both complete your medication course.
When Should I See a Doctor About Chlamydia?
When it comes to STDs and your sexual health, it’s always a good idea to be proactive. You should see a doctor or nurse as soon as you suspect that you may have chlamydia.
Speak to your doctor about your risk of contracting chlamydia and what you can do to prevent it.
Where Can I Learn More About Chlamydia and Other STDs?
If you suspect that you have chlamydia or are in need of treatment for an infection, you can speak to a board-certified physician or nurse practitioner from the comfort of your home.
Head over to LifeMD to make a telehealth appointment.
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