Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with as many as 1 in 12 people being infected.
- It is most seen in young people aged under 25
- Chlamydia is spread through vaginal fluid and semen, and can be passed from person to person through:
- Unprotected (condomless) sex (anal, oral and vaginal)
- Unwashed sex toys
- Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics
- Testing for Chlamydia is easy – including online options
- Using Condoms can help protect against Chlamydia
- If left untreated, Chlamydia can cause long-term conditions, including Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and infertility.
Around 75% of women and 50% of men may not show any symptoms of Chlamydia. If you do have symptoms they may take time to appear and can include:
- Unusual discharge from your penis or vagina
- Pain when peeing
- Pain or bleeding after sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Pelvic pain
- Burning and itching in the genital area (men)
Testing for Chlamydia is widely available. Testing is done with either a urine sample or swab and free NHS testing is available from:
- GPs
- Sexual health clinics
- Some pharmacies (for under 25s only)
- Online at-home testing kits via your personal health record
- It is also possible to buy at-home tests online
You can find your nearest GP, pharmacy or sexual health clinic using our find a service tool.
Treatment for Chlamydia is with a course of antibiotics. If you have had any symptoms, you should notice improvements quite quickly.
It’s important not to have sex until you have completed treatment to prevent you passing on the infection. This includes having no oral sex and no sex with condoms.
Partner notification. If you test positive for Chlamydia, it is important to tell your partners so they can get tested and treated too. It also helps to prevent the spread of the infection. Sexual health clinics may be able to provide more advice on partner notification
