Symptoms of chlamydia

Most people who have chlamydia don't notice any symptoms.

If you do get symptoms, theseusually appear between oneand three weeks after having unprotected sex with an infected person. For some peoplethey don't develop untilmany months later.

Sometimes the symptoms can disappear after a few days. Even if the symptoms disappear youmay still have the infection and be able to pass it on.

Symptoms in women

At least 70% of women with chlamydia don't notice any symptoms. If they do get symptoms, the most commoninclude:

  • pain when urinating
  • unusual Vaginal discharge
  • pain in the tummy or pelvis
  • pain or bleeding during sex
  • bleeding after sex
  • bleeding between periods
  • heavier periods than usual

If chlamydia is left untreated, it can spread to the womb and cause a serious condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) .This is a major cause of ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women.

Ifthey do get symptoms, the most common include:

  • pain when urinating
  • white, cloudy or waterydischarge from the tip of the penis
  • burning or itching in the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body)
  • pain in the testicles

If chlamydia is left untreated, the infection can causeswelling in the epididymis (the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles) andthe testicles. This could affect your fertility.

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You should also get tested if you don't have any symptoms but are concerned you could have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) .

If you're sexually active and under 25 years old, youshould get tested for chlamydia every year or every time you have a new partner.You can get tested in places such as pharmacies, colleges and youth centres.

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Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 5 Jan 2017