This article answers some of the most common questions about chlamydia, including who is most at risk and how you can get tested.
It's aimed mainly at under-25s because chlamydia is most common among people in this age group. Find free online testing for under-25s. However, the information is still relevant to people over 25 because chlamydia can (and does) affect anyone.
What is chlamydia?
How do you get chlamydia?
What are the symptoms?
How do I get tested?
What does the test involve?
Why should I get tested?
How is chlamydia treated?
How quickly will treatment work?
Will I need to go back to the clinic?
When can I have sex again?
Do I need to tell my sexual partner that I have chlamydia?
How do I protect myself against chlamydia?
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in the UK. It's most common in men and women under the age of 25. You don't need to have lots of sexual partners to be at risk. Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis, which is found in the semen of men and the vaginal fluids of women who have the infection.
If you or your sexual partners are infected and don't get treatment, chlamydia can spread to other parts of the body and cause pain, especially in the abdomen. It may lead to infertility (not being able to have children).
How do you get chlamydia?
You can get chlamydia by having unprotected (without a condom) vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who is already infected. It can also be passed on by sharing sex toys which haven’t been washed or covered with a condom before each use.
It can also be passed by a pregnant woman to her baby during pregnancy or at the birth.
What are the symptoms of chlamydia?
Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms.
People who develop symptoms may notice them one to three weeks after contact with chlamydia, or many months later, or not until the infection spreads. If you have any of these symptoms, visit your GP or a sexual health clinic straight away.
Symptoms in women
Women may notice:
- unusual vaginal discharge
- bleeding between periods
- bleeding after sex
- heavier periods (including women who are using hormonal contraception)
- pain (or bleeding) during sex
- pain when passing urine
- lower abdominal (pelvic) pain
Symptoms in men
Men may notice:
- a white/cloudy or watery discharge from the penis
- burning and itching in the genital area
- pain when passing urine
- painful swelling of the testicles
For both men and women:
If the infection is in the rectum, there are rarely symptoms but it can sometimes cause discomfort and discharge.
Infection in the eyes can cause symptoms including pain, swelling, irritation and discharge.
Infection in the throat isn’t common and there are no symptoms.
How do I get tested?
If you're under the age of 25 and sexually active you should be tested for chlamydia every year, or if you meet a new partner. Many places offer chlamydia testing as part of the NHS National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP), including GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and community pharmacies.
Find your nearest chlamydia screening venue.
Rates of infection are lower in people who are aged 25 or above. However, if you're over 25 and concerned about chlamydia, see your GP, practice nurse or visit your nearest sexual health clinic. Find sexual health services near you.
What does the test involve?
The test as part of the NHS National Chlamydia Screening Programme is free, simple, painless and confidential. You can do the test yourself and you don't need to be examined.
Men give a urine sample. Women may be asked either to give a urine sample or to take a swab. Women take the swab themselves from the lower vagina.
The swab or urine test is sent away for analysis. It can take up to 10 days for the results to come through. It's very rare for chlamydia tests to be wrong. Outside of the NCSP, the test may be carried out in different ways depending on where you have it done, but the staff will explain this to you.
Why should I get tested?
It's important to get tested for chlamydia because:
- Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms, so you probably won't know if you or your partner(s) have it unless you have a test.
- Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in the UK.
- Untreated chlamydia can have serious long-term health effects, and may lead to infertility (being unable to have children).
If you're sexually active and under 25 years old, you should be tested for chlamydia once a year, and when you change your sexual partner.
If you're under 25 you can get a free and confidential chlamydia test through the NHS National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP). Find your nearest chlamydia screening venue.
Chlamydia is easy to test for, and easy to treat with antibiotics. You don't need to be examined by a doctor. Any form of unprotected sex (without a condom), including oral sex, can put you at risk of catching chlamydia.
How is chlamydia treated?
The most common treatment for chlamydia is a course of antibiotics. The two most commonly prescribed treatments are:
- azithromycin (a single dose)
- doxycycline (a longer course)
How quickly will the treatment work?
You should notice improvements quickly if you had any signs or symptoms. If the symptoms don't improve, seek advice from your GP, a sexual health clinic or pharmacy. You may have a different STI which could need further tests and different antibiotics.
If you have pelvic pain or persistent pain during sex, see your doctor or nurse. They may need to prescribe you with further treatment or investigations.
Will I need to go back to the clinic?
Not if you've taken your treatment as instructed. However, you may need to return to get tested again if:
- You think you've come into contact with chlamydia again.
- You had unprotected sex with your partner before the treatment was finished.
- You didn't complete the treatment or you didn't take it according to the instructions.
- The signs and symptoms don’t go away.
- Your test was negative, but you develop signs and symptoms of chlamydia.
When can I have sex again?
Avoid having sex until the infection has been cleared from your body. When you can have sex again depends on the treatment you have.
If you or your partner have a single-dose antibiotic (azithromycin) you need to avoid having sex until seven days afterwards.
If you or your partner take a longer course of antibiotics, don't have sex until you've finished taking the antibiotics.
Do I need to tell my sexual partner that I have chlamydia?
Yes. If you test positive for chlamydia, it's very important that your current sexual partner and any other recent partners are also tested and treated if necessary. The staff at the clinic or your GP will discuss with you which of your sexual partners may need testing.
You may be given a "contact slip" to give to your current or former partner(s). The clinic can send this for you instead (with your permission). The slip explains that they may have been exposed to an STI, and suggests that they go for a check-up.
It may or may not say what the infection is. The slip won't have your name on it, so your confidentiality is protected. This is called partner notification. You're strongly advised to tell your partner(s), but it's not compulsory.
How do I protect myself against chlamydia?
The NHS National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) says that to reduce your chances of getting chlamydia you should take the following steps:
- Use condoms every time you have sex. This can reduce your risk of getting or passing on chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
- If you have oral sex, cover the penis with a condom or the female genitals with a dam, which is a latex or polyurethane (soft plastic) square.
- If you're not sure how to use condoms correctly, there are normally instructions in the packet. Get tips on using condoms correctly.
- Each time you have a new sexual partner, both of you should have a chlamydia test.
- Have a chlamydia test every year while you're under 25.
If you have chlamydia, remember to:
- Take all the tablets that you're given.
- Tell your partner(s) and advise them to be tested and treated.
Find out about visiting an STI clinic.
In future, always use condoms to help protect yourself and other people against chlamydia. Always choose condoms that carry the European CE mark, a recognised safety standard. Don’t use novelty condoms unless they carry the European CE mark.
