Symptoms & Consequences

Symptoms of Chlamydia?

It is possible for symptoms to occur within 7-21 days after infection. However, most people with Chlamydia do not have any symptoms and have Chlamydia for months or even years without knowing it.

In the unlikely event that people do have symptoms, they include:

For women:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Discomfort/burning sensation when urinating
• Pelvic discomfort
• Painful sex
• Vaginal itching/soreness
• Lower abdominal pain

For men:

• Discharge from the penis
• Irritation inside the penis when urinating
• Itching inside the urethra
• Pain in the testicles or rectum
• Pain with ejaculation

Chlamydia in the anus is usually very mild and goes unnoticed, but occasionally it can cause anal pain or discharge. Both men and women may experience a sore throat if the throat is infected with Chlamydia.

Consequences of Chlamydia?

If Chlamydia is left untreated it can lead to infertility in both men and women.

For women it may lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is when the uterus (womb) or the fallopian tubes become inflamed and this can cause ectopic pregnancies, infertility or chronic pelvic pain. An ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy develops in the fallopian tubes instead of on the uterus.

For men Chlamydia, if not adequately treated, may lead to inflammation of their upper genital tract, which may cause pain in the testes. On rare occasions Chlamydia may trigger arthritis, rashes and eye inflammation.

Having Chlamydia also increases your chances of contracting other infections, such as HIV.

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