What You Should Know About Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a disease spread through sex. Chlamydia is easy to treat, but you need the right medicine. You must get treated by a healthcare provider or clinic.

Chlamydia may have no symptoms

Be aware of the following: 

• Most people have no signs early on. They don’t even know they have this disease. They may find out later when they are unable to have children.

• Some people do have signs. Signs may be discharge from the penis or vagina. There may be burning during urination or pain in the sex organs.

• For women, chlamydia can lead to bleeding between periods. It can spread infection and cause pain. It can also make a woman unable to have children.

• For men, chlamydia can make the tip of the penis burn. It can make the testicles swell.

• Usually the pain or the burning goes away in a few weeks, but the chlamydia remains and can cause long-term problems, such as infertility or spread to other partners. 

• Babies born to women with this disease can also get sick. The baby’s lungs and eyes can be damaged.

Protect yourself from chlamydia

The safest way is to not have sex. If you have sex, be sure your partner doesn’t have chlamydia. The best way to be sure is to get tested. If you’re not sure whether you or your partner has this disease, use a latex condom. Stay sober. Getting high on alcohol or drugs can make you lose control. Then you may be more likely to have sex without using a condom.

Always use a condom

Don't make any exceptions to the following: 

• Always use a new latex condom. Use one each time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

• Latex male condoms and female condoms, used correctly and consistently, can reduce the risk of transmitting a sexually transmitted disease.

• Keep latex condoms on hand. Store them in a cool place. Don’t keep them in your wallet or in your car.