Chlamydia in women
goodtoknow says: Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Chlamydia is caused by having unprotected sex but is easily treated. Around 1 in 20 women have chlamydia and the numbers are even higher in young women who are sexually active. Symptoms of chlamydia are vague, mainly an unusual vaginal discharge, and 70 percent of women don't have any at all which is why it's called a 'silent' infection. Left untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility, so see your GP if you're concerned. A simple test and a course of antibiotics can cure chlamydia.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of chlamydia from patient.co.uk, read on.
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. It often causes no symptoms, and can be passed on to others without you realising. However, symptoms and complications may develop if it is left untreated. A short course of an antibiotic clears the infection in most cases.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is an infection caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. In women, chlamydial infection usually affects the cervix and uterus (womb). In men, it usually affects the urethra in the penis. Chlamydia sometimes causes infection of the eye, throat, and lungs.
How do you get chlamydia and how common is it?
Most people with chlamydia got the infection by having sex with an infected person. About 1 in 20 sexually active women in the UK are infected with chlamydia. It is most common in women under 25. (About 1 in 12 women aged 20 are infected with chlamydia.) The number of cases has risen sharply in recent years. Many women are not aware that they are infected as it often causes no symptoms. You can be infected with chlamydia for months, even years, without realising it.
The risk of infection increases with the number of changes of sexual partner. Wearing a condom during sex helps to prevent chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.
Average rating:
Where to next?
-
Advice about sexual partners
-
Advice from a sexual health adviser
-
Anogenital warts (genital warts)
-
Conditions that are not STIs
-
Genital herpes
-
HIV and AIDS
-
Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs
-
Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs (cont'd)
-
Pubic lice
-
Sexually transmitted diseases
-
Some other points about trichomonas infection
Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below
eddie, 6 months
I'm not sure if this will help but I have found a site that offers a free chlamydia test for the under 25's - http://freetest.me.uk/.
Report this commentjane, 6 months
i have a discharge coming out and a unusual smell to it. i get embarresed by this what is it ??
Report this commentkaya, 7 months
hi, i just found out i have clamydia,and i am very scared,i have been in a relationship for almost three years,and split up with my boyfriend last year,he was the only one i have slept with in this whole time,i know he hasnt been cheating on me.are there any other ways to get clamydia,what about public toilets,i have heard it is possible??? i got the antibiotics,now.do i have to go and check my self again?after the treatment does it go away 100%??? i am really scared,and havent slept with many man.while i was in a relationship my boyfriend and me have tried for a baby,but didnt work,ist that why???and am i ever gonna be able to have kids???i dont know how long i have had this!!!!i am very worried???please help!!!!thank you
Report this commentruth, 10 months
I had Clamydia for a year also, and also had bacterial vaginosis that were both treated and cleared. I now always use condoms. Since then iv been getting lower abdo pain and abnormal bleeding during the month.I have been on the pill for the last 5 months. Could the bleeding be caused by this...HELP!! Does this mean I wont be able to have kids?
Report this commentjackie, 12 months
would it be possible to carry this infection for seven years without showing any symptoms until now as i have just found out i have chlamydia
Report this commentrichard, about 1 year
i have just been diagnosed with chlamydia ,i was clean before i met her as i regulary test,i have been with the same girl for 4 months, im worried she has cheated on me,she is away now abroad, i could easly forgive her if she had it and didnt know, but not if she has been playing away,she may of had it for yrs apparently a tough one...
Report this commentgemma, about 1 year
hi ive just found out ive got clamidia and if i have had it for years does that mean i cant have kids because i havent been catching at all please help me
Report this commentEmily, about 1 year
What Are The Tablets You Need To Get Rid Of It, And Can You Just Get Them Over The Counter?
Report this commentkiera, about 1 year
hi my mum has cylamiydia im scared if she dies can you email me and tell me the efects please
Report this commenterika, about 1 year
hi,i recently slept with my ex and hes now saying hes caught chlymidia off me...can you catch it from some 1 that doesnt have it??
Report this commentAaron borland, about 1 year
i have got chlamydia and i dont know what to do ... i need some help please ... my girlfreind also has it
Report this commentparis, about 1 year
i have had it a few times........ and i only hav one partner?? how is this,
Report this commentgemma, about 1 year
i had chlamydia for a year as i caught it off my first partner at 17 and at 18 i was treated for this. as i only hadit for a year is there still chances that i will be infertile?
Report this comment
Claire, 2 months
Hi, Im 21 and I have been sexualy active since I was 15. I am now with my partner of 3 years and after a year of trying for a baby we stil have had no luck. i have started to notice over the past 4 months I have a smelly discharge and have started to get slight stomach pains before sex. Could this be chlamydia?
Report this comment