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How Do Doctors Test For Chlamydia In Males

What Complications Can Result From Chlamydial Infection

What tests are necessary for diagnosis of Chlamydial infection? – Dr. Teena S Thomas

The initial damage that chlamydia causes often goes unnoticed. However, chlamydial infections can lead to serious health problems with both short- and long-term consequences.

In women, untreated chlamydia can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease . Symptomatic PID occurs in about 10 to 15 percent of women with untreated chlamydia.30,31 However, chlamydia can also cause subclinical inflammation of the upper genital tract . Both acute and subclinical PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, tubal factor infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy.32,33

Some patients with chlamydial PID develop perihepatitis, or Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome, an inflammation of the liver capsule and surrounding peritoneum, which is associated with right upper quadrant pain.

In pregnant women, untreated chlamydia has been associated with pre-term delivery,34 as well as ophthalmia neonatorum and pneumonia in the newborn.

Reactive arthritis can occur in men and women following symptomatic or asymptomatic chlamydial infection, sometimes as part of a triad of symptoms formerly referred to as Reiters Syndrome.35

How Are Male Std Test Performed

Its very simple for anyone to get tested for STDs with STDcheck.com, simply:

  • Choose your preferred test or panel.
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  • Visit the selected lab to have the test performed.
  • View your results 1-2 business days after getting tested.
  • Our tests require either urine or small blood samples, but none of them use penis swabs. Some STD testing providers require men to have bacterial STDs checked by inserting a small cotton swab into the tip of the penis, but not us! So, relax, its non-invasive. You dont need to schedule an appointment with your chosen lab to have your test performed, and lab visits generally only take a few minutes.

    For Positive Male STD Test Results

    If any of your test results come back positive, we have real doctors available to talk with you about your diagnosis over the phone. Just like any other doctor youd visit, they can prescribe treatment for positive results and send it to the pharmacy of your choice. They may also refer you to a specialist, if necessary.

    Not getting tested out of fear of a positive result is one of the most common reasons people dont get tested. But ignoring an STD will only make things worse and most STDs can be treated.

    For Negative Male STD Test Results

    What About Rectal And Oral Swabs

    Rectal swabs and oral swabs may also be considered for those who have receptive anal sex or unprotected oral sex.

    While neither rectal nor oral swabs are currently approved for the detection of chlamydia, research suggests that doing these extragenital tests is important.

    For example, a 2017 study found that among men who have sex with men , 13% had a rectal chlamydia infection but only 3.4% had a positive urethral swab. In women in an urban setting in the United States, 3.7% were found to have an extragenital infection. Those under the age of 18 had the highest incidence of extragenital infection.

    Read Also: Where To Get Antibiotics For Chlamydia

    How Chlamydia Is Diagnosed

    There are a number of different, reliable tests for chlamydia. In addition to tests that a healthcare provider would use in a medical office or clinic, there are now some good test kits you can use at home. The tests rely on several different methods.

    Some older tests involve obtaining some of the chlamydia bacteria and growing them in a culture. Today, healthcare providers prefer newer DNA tests, often called NAATs .

    Some tests that work for both men and women use a urine sample. Others use secretions from the genitals or other infected areas of the body, such as the rectum. While the CDC recommends testing of genital secretions, screening a urine sample is less invasive and more practical for many primary-care physician offices.

    Women under age 25 ought to be tested every year for chlamydia whether or not they have any symptoms. In women, tests often involve the insertion of a cotton swab into the vagina to obtain secretions.

    Vaginal swab is the preferred method, says Dombrowski. You dont have to have a whole pelvic exam.

    If you are pregnant, you should be screened for chlamydia during your first prenatal visit. If you are pregnant and younger than 25, or if you are pregnant and have a new sex partner or multiple partners, you should also be screened again in your third trimester. Its important to catch and treat chlamydia in a pregnant woman to prevent transmission to the baby. In newborns, the illness can cause serious harm or death.

    Where Can I Get Tested For Chlamydia

    Nurse

    You can get tested for chlamydia and other STDs at your doctors office, a community health clinic, the health department, or your local Planned Parenthood health center. In some states, you can do an online visit and take a chlamydia test at home.

    STD testing isnt always part of your regular checkup or gynecologist exam you have to ask for it. Be open and honest with your nurse or doctor so they can help you figure out which tests you may need. Dont be embarrassed: Your doctor is there to help, not to judge.

    Also Check: I Ve Had Chlamydia For 6 Months

    It Is Easy To Get Tested For Chlamydia

    Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that can affect both men and women. While both genders can be affected, the specific effects and method of diagnosis for the bacterial infection differs between male patients and female patients. We looked at the methods used to assist in the diagnosis of chlamydia among men in this post, as well as some particular factors that are unique to a male patient with this condition.

    What Will Happen If Chlamydia Infections Is Ignored So Long

    Trachoma of the eye. Progression of trachoma. Trachoma, an infection of the eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Trachoma is a bacterial infection that affects your eyes

    If you are thinking hard to know about how is chlamydia transmitted then the only answer is via sexual contact. Unfortunately, the side effects of Chlamydia over male infertility are generally underestimated. But it is observed that this infection can damage sperm and may also lead to some serious or non curable reproductive disorder like permanent infertility.

    Males that are suffering with Chlamydia use to have DNA level 3 times higher than its normal amount in DNA. It clearly means that the genetic material is not perfectly packed inside and it is more susceptible to breakage.

    Structure of Mycoplasma cell. the bacterium is the causative agent of sexually transmitted diseases, pneumoniae, atypical pneumonia and other respiratory disorders. unaffected by many antibiotics.

    Mycoplasma is also similar kind of disease and it is also transferred with sexual contact both these diseases can have direct effect on sperm production in male body. Once a person gets infected with Chlamydia then his rate of abnormal sperm reproduction gets increased up to 80% and it has about 10% lesser mobility inside body when compared with normal peers.

    Other than this, male Chlamydia patients are observed to experience urethritis, conjunctivitis and rheumatological conditions along with reactive arthritis issues.

    Read Also: Do You Get Bumps From Chlamydia

    Are Test Results Accurate

    Although chlamydia testing is an important method of finding and treating this common STD, test results could be impacted by the following:

    • The use of antibiotics within several days before testing
    • Urinating within one hour of sample collection
    • Vaginal douching within 24 hours of testing
    • Improper sample collection
    • Contamination of rectal samples with fecal matter

    Syphilis Testing In Men

    How is Chlamydia treated? – Dr. Sudheendra Udbalker

    Unlike gonorrhea and chlamydia, syphilis is not treated with a urine test. If a male does experience symptoms in the early stage of syphilis, then a doctor will collect a body fluid sample such as discharge from the penis or open sore. This sample will then be sent to a lab to be tested for the syphilis bacteria.

    If a male does not experience symptoms in the early stage of syphilis, this does not mean he is not infected. Like many other STDs, syphilis can fly under the radar in its early stage and sneak up in later stages when the infection is more advanced and harmful. In the later stages of syphilis a doctor will collect a blood sample to check if the infection is present. If the test comes back positive, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to clear the infection.

    If syphilis remains untreated, it is possible that it will advance into the tertiary stage, where the infection can spread through the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body. This phase can lead to heart problems, neurological issues, blindness, paralysis and even death.

    If you have or think you may have syphilis, refrain from any sexual activity until you have a clean bill of health. Learn more about syphilis testing

    Also Check: Azithromycin For Chlamydia Over The Counter

    What Should I Expect During A Chlamydia Test

    Your provider gives you a clean cup and asks you to urinate in it. Follow your providers instructions carefully when collecting a urine sample. Youll need to collect the urine as soon as it starts to come out .

    Instead of a urine sample, your provider might collect a sample of secretions from your genitals or anus. They gather this sample by rubbing a cotton swab on the inside of your vagina, penis or anus. If your provider suspects that you have a chlamydia infection in your eye, they will collect a fluid sample from your eye.

    If youre using an at-home chlamydia test, you will collect the sample yourself. Be sure to follow the instructions on the test kit carefully.

    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 .

    Also Check: How Soon Can Chlamydia Be Detected

    Which Std Tests Should I Get

    If you are sexually active, getting tested for STDs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Make sure you have an open and honest conversation about your sexual history and STD testing with your doctor and ask whether you should be tested for STDs. If you are not comfortable talking with your regular health care provider about STDs, there are many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing.

    Below is a brief overview of STD testing recommendations. STD screening information for healthcare providers can be found here.

  • Anyone who has unsafe sex or shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
  • People who have had oral or anal sex should talk with their healthcare provider about throat and rectal testing options.
  • You can quickly find a place to be tested for STDs by entering your zip code in the form below.

    Find an STD testing site near you.

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    Chlamydia Symptoms In Females

    STD Swab Tests

    Chlamydia symptoms in females are rare. Roughly 7 in 10 women dont experience any symptoms. The infection may be asymptomatic, meaning that people dont know they have it.

    If signs and symptoms occur, they usually happen one to three weeks after the exposure, but could start much later. The symptoms are often mild and passing, and easy to overlook.

    Some of the potential signs and symptoms of chlamydia include:

    • lower abdominal pain

    Recommended Reading: Drugs Used To Treat Gonorrhea And Chlamydia

    How Is Chlamydia Transmitted

    Chlamydia is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact, but it can also happen when the infection enters another persons body, according to the CDC Trusted Source.

    Penetrative intercourse, whether vaginal or anal, is the most common mode of transmission. It can also be transmitted via oral sex or the sharing of sex toys. Even after receiving treatment for chlamydia, a person can develop the illness again.

    Just How Usual Is Chlamydia

    In 2017, more than 1.7 million situations of chlamydia were reported to the Centers for Illness Control as well as Avoidance . Several cases go unreported, so the real number of chlamydia infections every year may be closer to 3 million.

    Men and women can both obtain the infection, but much more instances in women are reported.

    Infection rates are highest among more youthful females, with the highest rates of infection occurring in females in between ages 15 and 24.

    The CDC recommends that all sexually active women ages 25 years as well as more youthful obtain evaluated for chlamydia each year, in addition to older ladies with threat factors like numerous or new partners.

    Statistically, an individual is more likely to obtain an STI if theyve had sex with more than a single person. Other risk factors consist of having had an STI in the past, or currently have an infection because this can lower resistance.

    Prices for chlamydia and also various other STIs have been climbing up in recent times.

    STDcheck

    Also Check: If You Take Antibiotics For Chlamydia

    How Is The Test Used

    Chlamydia testing is used to screen for and diagnose sexually transmitted infections caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

    Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae is often done at the same time since the infections caused by these two bacteria can have similar signs and symptoms. These bacteria may be acquired at the same time, and you may have infections with both. A definitive diagnosis is important since the two infections require different antibiotic treatment.

    Repeat testing is recommended to ensure that treatment has been effective. This is done about three months after you have completed treatment.

    How Common Is Chlamydia

    Symptoms of Chlamydia – Dr. Sudheendra Udbalker

    CDC estimates that there were four million chlamydial infections in 2018.3 Chlamydia is also the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States.4 However, a large number of cases are not reported because most people with chlamydia are asymptomatic and do not seek testing. Chlamydia is most common among young people. Two-thirds of new chlamydial infections occur among youth aged 15-24 years.3 It is estimated that 1 in 20 sexually active young women aged 14-24 years has chlamydia.5

    Disparities persist among racial and ethnic minority groups. In 2019, reported chlamydia rates for African Americans/Blacks were nearly six times that of Whites.4 Chlamydia is also common among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men . Among MSM screened for rectal chlamydial infection, positivity has ranged from 3.0% to 10.5%.6,7 Among MSM screened for pharyngeal chlamydial infection, positivity has ranged from 0.5% to 2.3%.7.8

    Recommended Reading: What Test Is Done For Chlamydia

    How Do Men Get Tested For Stds

    If you are a male who has recently had unprotected sex or taken part in risky sexual behavior, you may be wondering how to get tested for an STD. This is a great question and is the first step in taking control over your sexual health. Read on to find out the testing methods for the most common STDs found in men.

    Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About A Chlamydia Test

    Chlamydia testing enables diagnosis and treatment of the infection before it can cause serious health problems. If you are at risk for chlamydia due to your age and/or lifestyle, talk to your health care provider about getting tested.

    You can also take steps to prevent getting infected with chlamydia The best way to prevent chlamydia or any sexually transmitted disease is to not have vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of infection by:

    • Being in a long-term relationship with one partner who has tested negative for STDs
    • Using condoms correctly every time you have sex

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    When Is A Chlamydia Test Performed

    A chlamydia infection doesnt usually cause symptoms, so people may not know they have it. Untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health problems and infertility. Thats why providers screen for chlamydia, which means they regularly test certain people who have a higher risk of infection. You should get regular chlamydia screenings if you:

    If you previously tested positive for chlamydia and got treated for it, you should get follow-up tests. You usually need a test about a month after treatment and two months after that to make sure the treatment worked.

    If you have symptoms of chlamydia infection you may or may not have symptoms of chlamydia. If so, your provider will recommend a test. Symptoms of chlamydia include:

    • Burning sensation while urinating .
    • Discharge from your vagina, penis or anus.
    • Painful intercourse or bleeding after having sex.

    Complications Of Chlamydia In Men

    Treat STD Online by Web Doctors

    People rarely develop consequences from a chlamydia infection if they receive therapy. Chlamydia in males, on the other hand, can cause or raise the risk of:

    • The inflammation of the prostate gland is known as prostatitis.
    • Scarring of the urethra is a condition in which the urethra is scarred.
    • Infertility.
    • Epididymitis is an infection of the testicles tube.

    Chlamydia infections can potentially induce reactive arthritis, according to the American College of Rheumatology. The pain in a persons heels, toes, fingers, lower back, or joints is a symptom of reactive arthritis.

    Read Also: How Long For Chlamydia Symptoms To Show Up

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