Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI), with over 1.7 cases reported in 2017. 90 percent of women and 70 percent of men who contract chlamydia show no symptoms and may not even know they have it. And whilst you may be symptom-free this infection can cause serious health complications later so getting regular screening is critical. So how do you test for chlamydia? Here is your guide.
Causes of Chlamydia
Unprotected sexual intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex are the primary ways to contract chlamydia. Penetration does not have to occur, just sexual contact, to contract it.
If you have had unprotected sex or another contact with a partner’s genitals you are at risk of having contracted chlamydia.
Who is at Risk?
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting chlamydia, even if they practice safe sex and are very careful. Over 70 percent of cases do not produce symptoms and go un-reported. So even if your partner is not showing symptoms does not mean you are entirely safe.
Statistically, the more sexually active you are, the more partners you have and not using protection the greater your risk of contracting chlamydia.
The infection is more often reported in women and the infection has more serious health implications for women. If untreated the infection can cause serious reproductive issues. It is recommended that all young women who are sexually active get regular yearly screenings regardless of their symptoms.
Those who have previously had chlamydia are not immune to a second infection. And those with a history of STIs or who currently have another STI are more vulnerable to infection.
Chlamydia Symptoms in Women
Many women who contract chlamydia will not get any symptoms and if they do it can take weeks before they appear. If they do appear the most common symptoms are:
- Vaginal discharge
- Dyspareunia (painful sex)
- Lower abdomen pain
- Cervicitis (cervix inflammation)
- Burning sensation during urination
- Bleeding between periods.
In women, the infection can spread to the fallopian tubes and this can cause a serious disease called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The symptoms of PID are fever, nausea, abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain.
Chlamydia can also infect the throat if the women performs oral sex on an infected parnter. Symptoms include a cough, sore throat, and a fever. Similarly, women who practice anal sex can get an infection in their rectum. Symptoms include rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding.
Chlaymida Symptoms in Men
Men are less likely to experience symptoms than women and if they do appear usually take one to three weeks to present. The most common symptoms include:
- Dischare from the penis
- Lower abdomen pain
- Testicle pain
- Burning during urination
Like women, men who recieve anal sex can get an infection in the anus. The main symptoms are pain, discharege and bleeding from the rectum. Men who give oral sex, to both women and men, are at risk of contracting an infection in the throat. Primary symptoms include fever, cough, and a sore throat.
How Do You Test for Chlamydia?
Given many people with chlamydia do not even know they have it you are probably wondering, how do you test for chlamydia?
Getting tested is pretty straight forward. All you need to do is visit your GP or local sexual health center. Your healthcare professional will ask you about your sexual acitivity and symptoms. If you have symptoms they are likely to perform an exam to assess the severity of your case.
Following the exam, you will be tested. The most common test is a swap for the vagina for women, and a urine test for men. If there is a chance that infection is present in the throat or anus you will have these swabbed too.
You can also purchase a test online. Once you order online all you need to do is visit your local test center and the test will only take a matter of moments. You can use this STD check coupon to order your test today
You will likely have to wait several days for your test results. Depending on your healthcare service you will receive a call or text informing you of your results. If you test positive you will be called by your doctor to arrange a follow up appointment to discuss treatment.
Treating Chlamydia
Chlamydia is really easy to treat. As a bacterial infection, it is treated with anti-biotics. The most common medication is Azithromycin and is usually prescribed in a single large dose. This means you take it once and you are treated.
Doxycyclin is also commonly prescribed, but this must be taken twice a day for seven days. No matter what antibiotic you are prescribed make sure you check the dosage instructions and follow them exactly. If you cease your cycle early or take the wrong dosage you may not treat your infection.
During treatment time it is important not to have sex as you pose a risk to your partner. You can still transmit chlamydia whilst being treated.
It is a common misconception that after the single dose of Azithromycin you are fully healed, however it can take up to two weeks for your infection to fully clear, during which time you can transmit it to others.
If you treat chlamydia as soon as you notice symptoms or have concerns you may have contracted it, the infection will clear with no lasting problems. Just because chlamydia is curable does not mean you should not protect against contraction and transmission. You should always practice safe sex.
Untreated Chlamydia
Failing to treat chlamydia can lead to serious medical issues. This is why it is vital that you get regular screenings, minimum yearly, especially for women.
As mentioned some women will develop PID if chlamydia goes untreated. PID can cause lasting damage to the uterus, cervix, and ovaries. PID often requires hospital treatment and can be very painful.
If PID is left untreated some women can become infertile due to scarring of the fallopian tubes.
Men may also experience complications if chlamydia is left untreated. The epididymis (the tube that holds the testicles in place) may become inflamed, causing pain.
The infection can affect the prostate gland, resulting in painful intercourse, lowern back pain, and fever.
Get Tested For Chlamydia Today
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting chlamydia. And many who do contract it may no ever know. Unfortunately, untreated chlamydia can have long-lasting health implications, especially for women. This is why you need to know how to answer the question, how do you test for Chlamydia?
Follow our guide to identifying your risk, symptoms, and learn how to get tested today. Get a swift, confidential, low cost online STI testing here.