Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeExclusiveCan You Use A Condom If You Have Chlamydia

Can You Use A Condom If You Have Chlamydia

What About My Partner

What is a Condom and How is it Used | Planned Parenthood Video

If youre in a relationship where youve been sleeping with the same person for a period of time, its important that the other person also get tested and treated. There is a very high likelihood that theyll also have chlamydia and without treatment theyll pass it back to you once youre all clear. In these instances its important that you dont have sex until both of you have been treated for the condition.

Can You Still Get Chlamydia If You Use A Condom

Can you still get chlamydia if you use a condom? This is a very common STD-related question. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacteria known as chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. No matter what type of sexual forms you used, be it vaginal, anal, or oral sex, you may contract chlamydia if your partner is positive. So, can you still get chlamydia if you use a condom?

Condoms have a high chance of preventing chlamydia and other STDs like gonorrhea. But it may not be as effective for other STDs like herpes and syphilis. Chlamydia is a very common STD that is highly prevalent in the US. One of the reasons why it is so common is that it causes few to no symptoms. Even if symptoms do appear, it may resemble other conditions as common as the flu. So it can easily be misunderstood.

Can you still get chlamydia if you use a condom? Since chlamydia is primarily spread through sexual contact, condoms can act as a barrier to the infection from spreading.

Top three reasons to consider testing yourself for an STI

Read Also: How Do You Get Tested For Chlamydia

Letting Partners Know You Have Chlamydia

Sexual partners may be infected too. If you have chlamydia, anyone you have had sex with from the last 6 months needs to be informed, tested and treated.

If they dont know, they could reinfect you or infect someone else if they are not treated. dont receive treatment.

Most people will appreciate being told they may have an infection and it is an important step in preventing further infection in the community.

Your local GP and sexual health centre can help you inform your partners and let them know that they need a test. This process is called partner notification. It can be done anonymously, and your confidentiality is always respected.

You can also anonymously notify your sexual partners of the need to get tested and treated for chlamydia via the Let Them Know website if you feel unable to speak to them personally.

There are also nurses who can help you anonymously notify your partners. They can be contacted on .

Read Also: How To Self Treat Chlamydia

How Condoms Help Prevent Stds

Though they canât guarantee 100% protection from sexually transmitted infections, condomsâwhen used consistently and correctlyâcan dramatically reduce the risk of getting or transmitting STDs.

Hereâs how it works:

First, a condom must be used correctly to provide protection. When itâs used incorrectly, slippage or breakage can occur.

STD transmission is a risk any time you engage in sexual activityâso to offer effective protection, a condom needs to be used every time you have sex .

In laboratory settings, the latex condom has been shown to provide a nearly âimpermeable barrierâ to particles that are the size of STD-causing pathogens. This means that it prevents the infectious agent from passing through the barrier, significantly reducing the risk of contracting or transmitting an STD.

Chlamydia Cdc Fact Sheet

i.Con Condom Can Tell You If A Guy Has STDs

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease that can be easily cured. If left untreated, chlamydia can make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant.

Basic Fact Sheet | Detailed Version

Basic fact sheets are presented in plain language for individuals with general questions about sexually transmitted diseases. The content here can be syndicated .

Also Check: Signs And Symptoms Of Chlamydia In Females

Stis You Can Catch Even If You Use A Condom

While condoms do provide protection against most sexually transmitted infections , some infections can be passed through skin-on-skin contact alone. It is important to get clued up on which STIs you may be at risk of.

The primary function of a condom is to prevent the transmission of bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, and blood. In turn, this can help to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections during sexual intercourse.

Transmission of most STIs, such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea, can be prevented with a condom. When used correctly, condoms are around 98 percent effective, meaning that 2 out of 100 people will become pregnant in a year .

However, even if a condom is worn during sexual contact or intercourse, some infections can be passed by skin-to-skin contact. So, lets discuss three STIs you can catch, even if you use a condom.

Does Chlamydia Cause Cervical Cancer

No, chlamydia doesnât cause cervical cancer.

Itâs possible to get a sexually transmitted infection by having sex with someone who has an STI, even if they have no symptoms.

The following measures will help protect you from most STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV.

If you have an STI, theyâll also help prevent you from passing it on to someone:

  • Use condoms every time you have vaginal or anal sex.
  • If you have oral sex , use a condom to cover the penis, or a dam to cover the vulva or anus.
  • Avoid sharing sex toys. If you do share them, wash them or cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them.

You May Like: What Medicine Treats Gonorrhea And Chlamydia

Recommended Reading: Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Treatment Over The Counter

Will I Need To Go Back To The Clinic

If you take your antibiotics correctly, you may not need to return to the clinic.

However, you will be advised to go back for another chlamydia test if:

  • you had sex before you and your partner finished treatment
  • you forgot to take your medication or didnât take it properly
  • your symptoms donât go away
  • youâre pregnant

If youâre under 25 years of age, you should be offered a repeat test for chlamydia 3 to 6 months after finishing your treatment because youâre at a higher risk of catching it again.

Can You Get An Std With A Condom

What is a Female Condom (aka Internal Condom) and How Does it Work? | Planned Parenthood Video

Fast, Easy, Affordable. At-Home Testing

Many people assume that they will not get an STD simply because they practiced safe sex by using a condom. But this is not a safe assumption to make. Can you get an STD with a condom?The short answer is, yes, you can get an STD while wearing a condom.

There are a lot of factors that can affect the likelihood of you catching an STD while wearing a condom, including the type of condom and type of STD. In this article we will describe what STDs can be passed while wearing a condom and what steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting an STD.

Read Also: How Long Can A Person Have Chlamydia

Can You Get Pregnant If You Have Chlamydia

Sexual health plays an important role in fertility. Many STDs can cause scarring and inflammation, making it more difficult to conceive, even after the infection has been treated.

In the case of chlamydia, the infection can damage your reproductive health, if left untreated. The bacteria can cause PID which can do permanent damage to your reproductive system. PID can lead to inflammation, scarring, and blockage in your reproductive organs. In some cases, it can also cause ectopic pregnancy which can be deadly if the pregnancy isnt removed in time.

How Do You Get Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection. The bacteria are usually spread through sex or contact with infected genital fluids .

You can get chlamydia through:

  • unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
  • sharing sex toys that are not washed or covered with a new condom each time theyre used
  • your genitals coming into contact with your partners genitals this means you can get chlamydia from someone even if theres no penetration, orgasm or ejaculation
  • infected semen or vaginal fluid getting into your eye

It can also be passed by a pregnant woman to her baby.

Chlamydia cannot be passed on through casual contact, such as kissing and hugging, or from sharing baths, towels, swimming pools, toilet seats or cutlery.

Recommended Reading: Over The Counter Meds For Chlamydia

When Should You Call Your Doctor

  • Have sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts on or around the genital or anal area or on any area of the body where you think they could be caused by a sexually transmitted infection .
  • Think you have been exposed to a STI.

Do not have sexual intercourse or other sexual contact until you have been treated by a doctor. If you are diagnosed with syphilis, your sex partner will need to be treated also.

In most areas, public health clinics or health departments are able to diagnose and provide low-cost assessment and treatment of early syphilis and other STIs.

What Happens If I Get Chlamydia When Im Pregnant

How effective are condoms in preventing STDs?
  • Chlamydia during pregnancy has been associated in very rare cases with problems such as premature birth, and infection of the uterus lining after the birth.
  • It can be passed to the baby during the birth and before the baby is born. This can cause inflammation and discharge in the babys eye and/or pneumonia.
  • You may be offered a chlamydia test as part of your antenatal care.
  • Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics when youre pregnant and when youre breastfeeding. The antibiotics wont harm the baby, but do tell the doctor or nurse that youre pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Youll be advised to have another test after you complete your treatment.

Recommended Reading: Does Chlamydia Have A Cure

Who Is At Risk For Chlamydia

Any sexually active person can be infected with chlamydia. Anyone with genital symptoms such as discharge, burning during urination, unusual sores, or rash should refrain from having sex until they are able to see a health care provider about their symptoms.

Also, anyone with an oral, anal or vaginal sex partner who has been recently diagnosed with an STD should see a health care provider for evaluation.

Because chlamydia is usually asymptomatic, screening is necessary to identify most infections. Screening programs have been demonstrated to reduce rates of adverse sequelae in women. CDC recommends yearly chlamydia screening of all sexually active women age 25 or younger and older women with risk factors for chlamydial infections . Pregnant women should be screened during their first prenatal care visit. Pregnant women younger than 25 or at increased risk for chlamydia should be screened again in their third trimester. Any woman who is sexually active should discuss her risk factors with a health care provider who can then determine if more frequent screening is necessary.

Routine screening is not recommended for men. However, the screening of sexually active young men should be considered in clinical settings with a high prevalence of chlamydia when resources permit and do not hinder screening efforts in women.

What are the symptoms?

What kinds of complications can the infection cause?

How Stds Are Transmitted

To understand what condoms protect against, itâs first helpful to understand how STDs are spread. Infections like HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis are commonly spread when infected secretions of the urethra or vagina contact mucosal surfaces, which include the male urethra, the vagina, or the cervix.

Infections typically associated with genital ulcersâsuch as genital herpes, syphilis, and human papillomavirus âare often passed on through contact of oneâs skin with the mucosal surfaces or infected skin of a partner who has the infection.

You May Like: How Long Until Chlamydia Goes Away

Chances Of Getting An Std From A One

The chances of getting an STD from a one-night stand depend on whether it was protected or unprotected sex. The chances of getting an STD from one unprotected encounter with a partner who is infected with syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia are about 30 percent. Since these infections can lead to serious health concerns if not treated promptly, its important to understand the risk that unprotected sex poses. To reduce the risk of transmission, always use a reliable form of sexual protection like latex condoms.

Condom Use During The Treatment Period

STD Prevention Beyond Condoms
  • Avoid having sex without a condom during treatment because the infection can still be transmitted. Use condoms for 7 days after the start of treatment and until 7 days after all current sexual contacts have been treated.
  • If you are on a combined oral contraceptive pill, use a condom for 14 days when having sex, as antibiotics can affect the reliability of the contraceptive pill.

After completing the treatment, phone your doctor or return to the clinic for a follow-up after 3 months to check you have not been re-infected.

Read Also: How To Tell You Have Chlamydia

Do I Need To Use Condoms During My Period

Yes, if you want to avoid pregnancy and STIs. Itâs possible to get pregnant during your period, although the day-specific risk is variable and depends on your cycle, age, and health.

Clueâs 2018 study with the Kinsey Instituteâs Condom Use Research Team found that condoms are used less often during menstruation. It is important to use condoms or a barrier during period sex because many STIs can be transmitted through blood. Using a condom for period sex can prevent pregnancy and protect against STI transmission.

Condoms Offer Different Degrees Of Protection Depending On The Std

âCan you get an STD with a condom?â Itâs a key question for people who are looking to protect their sexual health while still enjoying an active sex life. Condoms provide varying amounts of protection depending on the STD under consideration. In particular, condoms are somewhat less effective at protecting against infections like herpes, HPV, and syphilis. Thatâs because these STDs can spread through skin-to-skin contact , and condoms donât always cover all areas of potentially infected skin.

For example, HPV and the herpes virus âshedâ infectious virus particles beyond the area typically covered by condoms, which means condoms donât always provide complete protection against STDs that can be transmitted in this way.

That being said, although condoms arenât totally foolproof , they remain one of the most effectiveâand convenientâways to stop the spread of STDs. And with routine STD testing in addition to consistent condom use, you can not only lower the risk of getting an STD, but also stay in the know about your statusâso if you do happen to get an infection, you can find out about it and seek treatment sooner rather than later.

Read Also: How To Get Antibiotics For Chlamydia

Can I Have Protected Sex Following Chlamydia Treatment

Even though condoms can dramatically reduce the chances of chlamydia passing from person to person they do not completely eliminate the chances of the condition spreading. For this reason its important that you completely refrain from sexual intercourse of any kind until seven days after your medication has finished even if you use a condom.

How Is It Treated

Can you get an STD even with a condom?

Antibiotics are used to treat chlamydia. Itâs important to take all of the medicine as directed. Otherwise the medicine may not work. Both sex partners need treatment to keep from passing the infection back and forth.

As soon as you find out you have chlamydia, be sure to let your sex partners know. Experts recommend that you notify everyone youâve had sex with in the past 2 months. If you have not had sex in the past 2 months, contact the last person you had sex with.

Having a chlamydia infection that was cured does not protect you from getting it again. If you are treated and your sex partner is not, you probably will get it again.

Some people who have chlamydia also have other STIs, such as gonorrhea.

Finding out that you have an STI may make you feel bad about yourself or about sex. Counseling or a support group may help you feel better.

Read Also: Does Urgent Care Test For Chlamydia

Do Only Gay Men Get Hiv

No. Human immunodeficiency virus can be transmitted in various ways, including through sex. It doesnât matter what sexual orientation or gender you areâanyone who is sexually active can be at risk of HIV. Studies show that men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by HIV, but the virus can also be passed through heterosexual sex, and through lesbian sex .

Are you tracking your sexual activity in Clue?

2M+ ratings

What Should You Do If You Receive A Positive Result

The short answer: What your doctor or healthcare professional tells you to do.

If you receive a positive result, the doctor will probs prescribe a dose of antibiotics in the case of curable STIs .

Or they might prescribe a method that can help you manage the symptoms of treatable STIs .

Your move: Take this medication.

The doctor will also tell you to abstain from all or some sex acts for a certain period of time, which you should do in order to reduce the risk of transmission.

Next, its a good move to talk with any past partners youve had that may have also been exposed.

If you have access to the people still, make the call or send the text, Duran says. If you got a gonorrhea diagnosis, for example, and had five partners since your last test, you want to check in with all of to let them know that they may have been exposed, so they can get tested as well.

How to tell a partner about possible exposure

Keep it simple and free of blame or judgment. You might say:

  • Hey! Just wanted to let you know that I got tested for . My doctor recommended that I let any recent partners know, so they can get tested, too.
  • Hi! I went in for my annual STI screening and found out I have . My doctor told me it can be spread even if a condom was used, so you might want to get tested to be safe.

Also Check: How Fast Can Chlamydia Be Treated

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular