Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis – bacteria that can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of Chlamydia are usually mild or even completely absent, there is potential for serious complications that cause irreversible damage. One possible long term effect of untreated Chlamydia is infertility in women – an issue that can occur “silently,” without the woman ever having symptoms.

Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. In 2006, 1,030,911 Chlamydia infections were reported to CDC from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The fact is, most people that have Chlamydia are unaware, so total numbers of infection are majorly under-reported. Based on the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, an estimated 2,291,000 non-institutionalized U.S. civilians ages 14-39 are currently infected with Chlamydia.

Chlamydia can be transmitted through sexual intercourse – including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Additionally, Chlamydia can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. Although any sexually active person can become infected with Chlamydia, the greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Teenage girls and young women are at increased risk of infection, as their cervix (opening to the uterus) is not fully matured. And, as Chlamydia can be transmitted by both oral or anal sex (as well as vaginal), men who have sex with other men are also at risk.

Often times, Chlamydia has no symptoms at all, making it known as a "silent" disease. According to statistics, roughly three quarters of all infected women and half of all infected men never experience any symptoms of the infection. For those where symptoms do occur, they normal appear within 1 to 3 weeks of infection.

Women: As the bacteria first infects the cervix and urethra (urine canal), most women who display symptoms may experience an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. After infecting the cervix and urethra, the bacteria infect the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), which can cause lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods.

Men: Those display symptoms experience a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. Other common symptoms are burning and itching around the opening of the penis. One of the more uncommon symptoms is pain and swelling of the testicles.

Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may acquire Chlamydia infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner.

If untreated, Chlamydia infections can progress to serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term consequences. Like the disease itself, the damage that Chlamydia causes is often "silent."

In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This happens in up to 40 percent of women with untreated Chlamydia. PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Women infected with Chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.

To help prevent the serious consequences of Chlamydia, screening at least annually for Chlamydia is recommended for all sexually active women age 25 years and younger. An annual screening test is also recommended for older women that have had a new sex partner within the last year, or multiple sex partners. All pregnant women should have a screening test for Chlamydia.

Complications among men are rare. Infection sometimes spreads to the Epididymis (the tube that carries sperm from the testis), which can cause pain, fever, and, rarely, sterility.

Rarely, genital Chlamydia infection can cause arthritis that can be accompanied by skin lesions and inflammation of the eye and urethra – this is referred to as Reiter's syndrome).

Yes - there are laboratory tests to diagnose Chlamydia. Some can be performed on urine; other tests require that a specimen be collected from a site such as the penis or cervix. Getstdtested.com uses a urine based test that you can choose to test for from the comfort of your own home.

Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. A single dose of Azithromycin or a week of Doxycycline (taken twice daily) are the most common treatments. HIV-positive persons that are infected with Chlamydia should receive the same treatment as those who are HIV negative.

All sex partners should be evaluated, tested, and treated. Persons with Chlamydia should abstain from sexual intercourse until they and their sex partners have completed treatment, otherwise re-infection is possible.

Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple infections increases a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility. Retesting should be encouraged for women three to four months after treatment. This is especially true if a woman does not know if her sex partner received treatment.

The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.

Latex male condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of Chlamydia.
DC recommends yearly Chlamydia testing of all sexually active women age 25 or younger, older women with risk factors for Chlamydia infections (those who have a new sex partner or multiple sex partners), and all pregnant women. An appropriate sexual risk assessment by a health care provider should always be conducted and may indicate more frequent screening for some women.
Any genital symptoms such as an unusual sore, discharge with odor, burning during urination, or bleeding between menstrual cycles could mean an STD infection. If a woman has any of these symptoms, she should stop having sex and consult a health care provider immediately.

Treating STDs early can prevent PID. Women who are told they have an STD and are treated for it should notify all of their recent sex partners (sex partners within the preceding 60 days) so they can see a health care provider and be evaluated for STDs. Sexual activity should not resume until all sex partners have been examined and, if necessary, treated.