What are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?
Medically reviewed and edited by Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S., accounting for around 1.6 million cases annually.
It can be a difficult condition to diagnose because chlamydia rarely causes severe symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they are usually mild and easy to overlook.
However, leaving chlamydia untreated can lead to severe lifelong medical complications that can even be fatal.
That’s why it’s important to know how to spot a chlamydia infection early on and what you need to do next.
This article takes a closer look at the symptoms of chlamydia, its treatment, and preventative options to help you stay safe.
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What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia — also known as a chlamydia trachomatis infection — is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that occurs when harmful bacteria infect the genital area.
This condition is spread through intercourse with an infected person, and affects both men and women.
Chlamydia can also spread to the eyes and throat if the infected person performs or receives oral sex.
If left untreated, chlamydia can result in permanent damage to the reproductive organs that can cause infertility later in life.
Who is most at risk of contracting chlamydia?
Although anyone can get chlamydia, certain groups of people are more at risk of becoming infected. These include:
Individuals who are sexually active before the age of 25.
People with multiple sexual partners.
People who don’t use protection properly or consistently during sex.
Individuals with a history of sexually transmitted infections.
Can chlamydia cause any medical complications?
Untreated chlamydia can cause lifelong medical complications that may even be fatal. Let’s take a closer look.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
This is an infection of one or more of the female reproductive organs — specifically the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
If you develop this disease, you may experience:
Lower abdominal and pelvic pain
Unusual and heavy vaginal discharge
Unusual bleeding
Pain during sex and when urinating
Fever
Chills
Untreated PID can cause complications during pregnancy and may even cause infertility.
Epididymitis
Epididymitis is an infection of the testicles, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. Someone with epididymitis may also experience the following symptoms:
Tenderness in the genital area
Unusual discharge
Blood in the semen
Abdominal and pelvic pain
Fever
If an epididymitis infection progresses, it might cause further complications such as abscesses on the scrotum and infertility.
Prostate gland infection (Prostatitis)
This condition involves swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis can be very painful and often causes secondary infections of the urinary tract.
Other medical complications that can develop as a result of untreated prostatitis, include:
Bacterial infection of the blood
Epididymitis
Prostatic abscesses
Pelvic bone and spine infections
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus cavity, usually in the fallopian tubes.
This type of pregnancy can’t proceed normally because the fertilized egg can’t survive outside of the uterus.
If an ectopic pregnancy is left untreated, the growing tissue inside the fallopian tube can cause it to rupture. This may lead to life-threatening internal bleeding.
Key Point: How Does Chlamydia Affect Pregnancy?
Chlamydia may cause some problems during pregnancy, so it’s important to speak to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
The most common complication is that chlamydia may cause premature birth — a common cause of infant death.
Premature birth can also result in long-term health and developmental problems for children.
Other complications for newborns include:
- Eye infections
- Pneumonia
- Low birth weight
Reactive arthritis
Reactive arthritis is a condition that causes severe joint pain and inflammation. It may also affect the urinary tract and the eyes.
Long-term reactive arthritis can cause permanent damage to the joints. However, most of these cases are mild enough to treat without the risk of further complications.
It’s important to note that arthritis may last for up to a year, and even after you’ve received treatment, you may develop symptoms again. Other complications
Men who have untreated chlamydia may develop and suffer from chronic joint pain.
Untreated chlamydia infections can also increase your chances of contracting more severe illnesses like HIV/AIDS.
Other complications
Men who have untreated chlamydia may develop and suffer from chronic joint pain.
Untreated chlamydia infections can also increase your chances of contracting more severe illnesses like HIV/AIDS.
What are Symptoms of Chlamydia?
Early-stage chlamydia often won’t cause any symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose properly.
Even in later stages, symptoms will usually be so mild that most people won’t notice them. If you do develop symptoms, the following are what you can look out for:
Pain or a burning sensation during urination
Pain during sex
Abdominal pain
Abnormal vaginal discharge that may be yellowish and have a strong smell
Unusual bleeding between periods
Watery or milky discharge from the penis
Swollen or tender testicles
If the infection spreads to your eyes, you may experience redness and skin discoloration around the affected area. You might also notice an abnormal discharge from the infected eye.
It’s important to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if any of these symptoms develop.
What is the most common first symptom of chlamydia?
The most common sign that you may have chlamydia is often abnormal discharge from the genital area.
You may experience pain during urination — which is also a symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
What are the Treatment Options for Alleviating Chlamydia Symptoms?
Chlamydia is usually easy to treat and cure if you seek professional medical help. Your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to help treat the infection.
They may also recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medicine to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with a chlamydia infection.
You should make sure to complete your antibiotics course, even if your symptoms have cleared up.
A doctor may also recommend the following practices to help you avoid a recurring infection:
Abstain from any sexual activities for at least a week or until you’ve finished your prescription medication.
Get an STD test within the next three to four months to ensure your infection is gone.
Avoid sharing your medication with partners.
Consistently use protection.
If you’ve been infected with chlamydia, you should also let your sexual partners know. They should seek their own treatment to avoid infecting or re-infecting others.
Can Chlamydia Be Prevented?
Chlamydia is normally spread through bodily fluids during sexual activities when one partner is infected.
The best way to avoid contracting chlamydia is to abstain from sex completely, but this may not be realistic for everyone.
That’s why most health care providers recommend using protection — like condoms — consistently during sex to lower the risk of infection.
You should also try to get tested for STDs regularly.
When Should I Visit a Doctor about Chlamydia Symptoms?
You should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible if you suspect that you have chlamydia.
If you notice an abnormal discharge or unusual pain in the genital area, it might also be a good idea to speak to your doctor.
Where Can You Learn More About Chlamydia and Other STDs?
If you suspect that you have chlamydia or are concerned about any of your symptoms, 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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