Chlamydia is one of the most commonly spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK. Caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis, it’s spread through sexual contact and activity. Left untreated, it can cause serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disorder, testicular swelling, and infertility. Catching the infection early is key to preventing more serious symptoms developing. Luckily, chlamydia can be easily and successfully treated. Many of these treatments are available to buy online in the UK from us. If you are worried about chlamydia, you should make an appointment with your GP or local sexual health clinic for STI testing. Until your appointment, we have compiled all the information you need to know about chlamydia treatment, symptoms, and its prevention.

Chlamydia Symptoms

It’s very common to have chlamydia without realising it. Chlamydia is called the ‘silent STI’ because most people who contract it experience no noticeable symptoms. This means that the disease can easily be spread by infected persons without them realising they have chlamydia.If infection does become symptomatic, you may experience: 

• A burning sensation when urinating
• Pain in the genitals
• Unusual discharge from the vagina or penis

Men and women can sometimes experience differing symptoms if they become infected with chlamydia. Men are also more likely to not experience any symptoms at all. 

In women:

• Cervical inflammation
• Pain during sex
• Spotting between periods

In men:

• Pain in the lower stomach
• Testicular pain
• Yellowish or greenish discharge from the penis 

Chlamydia in the Anus, Throat and Eyes

While more common in the penis and vagina, chlamydia can also occur in other parts of the body like the eyes, throat, and scrotum. Women are less likely to experience symptoms of rectal chlamydia. Men and women who have symptoms of rectal chlamydia may experience rectal pain, bleeding, or discharge. Oral sex can spread chlamydia to the throat and cause coughing, sore throats, and a fever. 

During the covid-19 pandemic, we all learned how important is it to limit how often you touch your face. Even if you frequently wash your hands, any bacteria on them can easily be spread to the mouth, nose, and eyes if you touch your face. Touching your face after coming into contact with chlamydia bacteria can lead to it infected the eye. Known as chlamydial conjunctivitis, it causes swelling, redness, discharge, and light sensitivity in the affected eye(s). Blindness can occur if it’s left untreated. 

How to Treat Chlamydia 

Since it’s a bacterial infection, chlamydia is treatable with antibiotics. To successfully clear the infection and prevent reoccurrence, you need to take the entire course of antibiotics as directed even if you start to feel better. You should avoid sexual activity while you’re taking the antibiotics as you can still spread chlamydia. Sex should be safe once you finish your course of treatment. 

Two commonly prescribed antibiotics for chlamydia are doxycycline capsules and azithromycin tablets.

• Doxycycline Capsules: An antibiotic that belongs to the tetracycline group of medications. It stops infections by preventing bacteria from being able to reproduce.
• Azithromycin Tablets: A broad spectrum antibiotics that can be used to treat several different types of bacterial infections including chlamydia. Azithromycin works by preventing bacteria from producing the proteins they need to reproduce and grow.

Complications of Chlamydia

Chlamydia should be treated as soon as possible to avoid any potential complications. Some women with untreated chlamydia go onto develop a very painful condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disorder (PID). PID causes damage to the female sex organs like the uterus, cervix, and ovaries. It’s not uncommon for women suffering from PID to need treatment in a hospital. 

There’s also a possibility of untreated chlamydia leading to infertility. This is because the infection can cause permanent scarring to the fallopian tubes. If you do become pregnant, there’s a chance the infection can be spread to the baby, leading to newborn eye infections and respiratory difficulties. In men, untreated chlamydia can spread to the prostate gland which leads to fever, painful sex, and lower back pain. Another potential complication in males is male chlamydial urethritis and epididymitis. Chlamydial urethritis is a bacterial infection that occurs in the tube that carries urine from the bladder, the urethra. Symptoms include painful ejaculation, penile itching, painful urination, and pain in the penis. Epididymitis is an inflammation at the back of the testicle where sperm is stored. Common symptoms of epididymitis are testicular pain, frequent and painful urination, blood in the semen, and a swollen or warm scrotum. 

Risk Factors for Chlamydia 

Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of STI’s, including chlamydia. People who have sex with multiple partners without protection are at a higher risk. It’s also thought that having a history with STI’s can make you more likely to get another one. While both men and women can contract chlamydia, it tends to be diagnosed more often in sexually active young women aged 25 and younger.

Chlamydia Prevention

The only 100% effective way of preventing chlamydia is to abstain from sex. Since this isn’t practical advice for most of us, there are ways you can minimise your risk. Practicing safe sex with barrier methods like condoms can protect you against chlamydia, although the disease can be spread without penetrative sex occurring. Limiting the amount of partners you have will also reduce the likelihood of getting sexually transmitted diseases. It’s important to be honest with your partners about each other’s sexual history. Getting regular STI screenings and encouraging your partners to do the same is advisable. These tests can give you peace of mind and catch any diseases early. Since STI causing bacteria can stay active on sex toys, ensure you always clean them after use and avoid sharing them.

Buy Chlamydia Treatment Online in the UK

Effective chlamydia treatment is available to buy online in the UK through us. Simply fill out an online assessment for our prescribers to review. If you’ve been diagnosed with chlamydia, browse our website to get antibiotics like doxycycline and azithromycin delivered to your letterbox.