Why is it Important to be Tested for Chlamydia?

STI testing is an important part of positive sexual health.  Whilst positive sexual health encompasses a number of points of health including good communication, freedom from coercion and abuse, and the ability to assert boundaries, STI testing is an important part of maintaining your sexual health.  Having or passing on STI's can result in destroying trust in your relationships as well as causing unnecessary health issues in yourself and others.  Some STI’s may not have immediate or obvious symptoms, so regular STI testing is something you absolutely need to engage in, especially if you are sexually active.  Chlamydia is one of the most prevalent STI’s in the UK and is often undetectable.  Pearl chemist group has sexual health services in Wandsworth

What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a very common bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.  C. trachomatis is found in the cervix, rectum, or throat for women and in the urethra (inside the penis), rectum, and throat for men.

How is Chlamydia transmitted?
Chlamydia is transmitted during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with a person who is infected with the bacteria.  Biological females can also pass chlamydia to their babies during childbirth.

What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?
Chlamydia doesn’t generally have any symptoms, so it is very difficult to know whether you have it or not.  Even if you do not show any symptoms, you can still pass chlamydia to other people if you engage sexually with them.

Symptoms for women can include:

  • Pain during sex
  • Burning during urination
  • Unusual vaginal discharge, which may have a strong/foul smell
  • If severe, or infection spreads, symptoms can include abdominal pain, nausea, and fever

Symptoms for men can include:

  • Pain/swelling in one or both testicles (rare)
  • Itching/burning around the opening of the penis 
  • Burning during urination
  • Discharge from penis

What happens if Chlamydia goes untreated?
Untreated chlamydia can cause serious health problems.  In women, an untreated infection can spread throughout the reproductive system to fallopian tubes, causing the pelvic inflammatory disease which can in turn cause long-term pain, infertility and increases your chances of ectopic pregnancies.  For men, on rare occasions, it can cause an infection in the tubes that carry sperm and in very rare cases, infertility.  For both men and women, untreated chlamydia infections can also increase your chances of contracting an HIV infection.  It can also lead to reactive arthritis in both men and women.

You can book STI testing at Pearl Chemist Group sexual health services in Wandsworth by visiting us online and booking today.