Signs Of Chlamydia In Males

What Are The Long Term Complications In Men

Although very rare, chlamydia can affect male fertility. This happens if chlamydia causes the tubes that carry the male sperm to become inflamed.

Although the condition, also known as epididymitis, is treatable with antibiotics it can cause irreversible scarring to the tubes which restricts the flow of sperm. Luckily long term damage like this is rare, but its just another reason to get tested for chlamydia regularly.

How Do I Test For Chlamydia

You can get tested for chlamydia even if you dont have any symptoms.

Getting tested for chlamydia is easy and doesnt hurt. A healthcare professional will ask for a urine sample and/or take a swab from the area that might be infected. This is usually the lower part of the womb or the vagina for women, and the tip of the penis for men. If youve had anal or oral sex, you may have a swab taken from your anus or throat.

In some countries you can get a self-testing kit to do at home.

If you test positive for chlamydia, its important to tell any recent sexual partner/s so they can also get tested, and treated if necessary. If you need advice about how to do this, speak to your healthcare professional. You should also test for other STIs.

Chlamydia Can Lead To Infertility

A lot of us don’t realize that some sexually transmitted diseases can cause no symptoms, meaning you could have an STD and not know it. And some STDs can silently lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain.

Chlamydia is one of those diseases. CDC estimates that more than 2.8 million people are infected each year.

Chlamydia is most common in sexually active young adults. More than half of all infections involve people ages 18 to 24. You can get chlamydia during oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact with an infected partner. The disease can cause penile discharge in men and infertility in women. It can also cause serious health problems in newborn babies of infected mothers.

Many women, and some men, are infected with chlamydia but don’t know it. Even without symptoms, the disease can cause complications, particularly infertility. The longer the infection is untreated, the more damage that can be done.

If symptoms do show up, they usually occur within weeks of exposure. Men and women may face painful urination, an abnormal discharge from the urethra, or both. Women also may have abdominal pain, bleeding, and an abnormal discharge from the vagina. Symptoms usually appear within one to three weeks after being infected and may be very mild.

In pregnant women, chlamydia can cause premature delivery, the CDC says. A child born to an infected woman can develop an infection in their eyes and respiratory tracts.

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How Can You Prevent Chlamydia

Whether or not youâve had chlamydia before, you can take simple actions to protect your sexual health going forward.

• Unprotected sex is one of the main ways this STD is transmitted, so use protection every time you have sex.
• Routinely screen for STDs like chlamydia .
• If you have a new sex partner, consider talking with them about both of you getting tested so you can enjoy physical intimacy with greater peace of mind.
• Speak with your healthcare providerâand consider getting testedâif youâre experiencing symptoms of this or any other STD.

To easily test for chlamydia from the privacy of home, take the Everlywell at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test. You can also check for 6 common sexually transmitted infections with the Everlywell at-home STD Test for men or women.

How Often Should I Get Checked For Chlamydia

Sexual health check-ups are recommended for anyone who is sexually active. Frequency of testing also depends on your STI risk:

• An annual sexual health check-up is highly recommended if you are sexually active especially if you are under 25.
• Get checked more often during the year if you frequently change sexual partners.
• Remember, you are at greater risk if you have sex without a condom with 1 or multiple sexual partners.

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What Are The Prominent Chlamydia Symptoms In Men

Actually, no one can easily ensure that his body has some trouble due to the silent infection because its symptoms are rarely reflected. But once if they start occurring then they can be easily noticed even within few weeks. Medical doctors say that symptoms of Chlamydia in men can be random and infrequent so most of the time patients are not able to know if they are in contact with the infection.

Some of the most common signs of Chlamydia in men include:

• Very small cloudy or clear Chlamydia discharge in men from penis tip.
• It can cause painful urination.
• Leads to itching and burning sensation around penis openings.
• Swelling and pain in the area surrounding testicles.

Major symptoms of Chlamydia are observed for genitals but in few cases it can affect rectum, eyes and throat. Note that, the actual effect varies with type of transmission. Few uncommon symptoms of chlamydia in men can include:

• Throat infections.
• Rectal bleeding, discharge or pain.

Chlamydia In Men: Pictures Treatment Causes Symptoms Signs Discharge Cure

While chlamydia in men is a common STI, it does not have symptoms most times.

A sexually transmitted infection is a condition passed during sexual contact. You can get an STI during unprotected anal or vaginal sex. Having oral sex with a person that has an STI puts you at risk. The bacteria responsible for the infection is Chlamydia trachomatis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 1.7 million cases of chlamydia infection in 2017. Anyone can have a chlamydia infection without knowing. Routine screening can detect the disease early. It is necessary for men that have sex with men to screen themselves every 3-6 months.

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The United States Preventive Services Task Force neither supports/ rejects screening. It believes there isnât much evidence to reject or support the screening of other sexually active men. If you would like to have a screening, discuss it with your healthcare provider.

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How Do I Know If I Have Chlamydia

Most people who have chlamydia have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may not appear until several weeks after you have sex with an infected partner. Even when chlamydia causes no symptoms, it can damage your reproductive system.

Women with symptoms may notice

• An abnormal vaginal discharge
• A burning sensation when urinating.

Symptoms in men can include

• A discharge from their penis
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles .

Men and women can also get infected with chlamydia in their rectum. This happens either by having receptive anal sex, or by spread from another infected site . While these infections often cause no symptoms, they can cause

• Rectal pain
• Discharge
• Bleeding.

You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD. STD symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.

How Does Chlamydia Spread

Chlamydia is spread when a person has unprotected sex with an infected person.

Because chlamydial infection often has no symptoms, many people do not realise they have the infection.

Even if you know a person well, you may not be able to tell they have an STI, because people can look healthy and still have chlamydia.

Remember, you can get chlamydia and other STIs from a new sexual partner who has in the past had sex with someone who is infected.

It can also be spread from a long-term partner who has had sex with other people.

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Can Chlamydia Be Prevented

The only sure way to prevent chlamydia is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading chlamydia. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Burning And Irritation Of The Urethra

Unlike some other STIs, the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis can spread to the urethra and cause significant discomfort. The urethra is the duct that connects the bladder with the tip of the penis or front hole. If you have Chlamydia, you may experience pain, tingling, itching, burning or redness along the urethra.

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Signs You Might Have Chlamydia

• 01 May 2019

In Australia, there are approximately 260,000 Australians currently living with Chlamydia . And with condom use with sexual partners on the decline, many more are at risk of the sexually transmitted disease dubbed the ‘silent infection’. Unfortunately, around 50 percent of men and 80 percent of women are diagnosed without symptoms, leaving them at risk of permanent damage.

With many cases of the sexually transmitted infection resulting in no symptoms, untreated chlamydia can put men at risk of pain and swelling in one or both testicles or more seriously, infertility.

Unlike some sexually transmitted infections, Chlamydia doesn’t discriminate. Men can catch chlamydia from having vaginal sex, anal sex and also through oral sex – basically, all means of sexual contact.

While condoms are not 100 per cent effective and don’t guarantee keeping away sexually transmitted infections, using protection greatly lowers your risk.

These are the most common symptoms of a chlamydia infection to look out for. However given that it’s common for symptoms not to show, its important to get regular screenings, practice safe sex and maintain good sexual health.

• discharge coming from penis
• discomfort during urination
• swollen and sore testicles.

If you are under the age of 25 and sexually active, it’s important that you have routine chlamydia check-ups. If it’s detected early enough, the good news is chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics.

Chlamydia Symptoms In Men

If there are signs of Chlamydia in men, symptoms can include:

• Pain or burning sensations when urinating
• Watery, cloudy or white discharge from penis
• Pain in the testicles

Signs of Chlamydia in women can consist of:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina
• Pain when urinating
• Nausea
• Fever

Chlamydia can also affect your rectum or throat as a result of unprotected anal or oral sex. You may experience discomfort or discharge from your rectum, or a sore throat. If you come into contact with infected semen or vaginal fluid in your eyes, this can also result in a Chlamydia infection. If this happens, you might experience from eye redness or conjunctivitis.

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How Common Is Chlamydia

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

Can Men Catch Chlamydia Through Oral Sex

Whether performing oral sex on a man or a woman, chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex. In these instances chlamydia will usually cause an infection of the throat. This may cause symptoms including a sore throat, fever or a cold. Its also possible that someone can be infected within the throat without noticing any symptoms at all.

Although less common, you can also catch chlamydia if you receive oral sex from an infected individual. The symptoms in these instances would be exactly the same as if you caught it through vaginal sex.

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If You Have Further Questions Contact Your Ob

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Copyright 2021 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information.

This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women’s health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOGs complete disclaimer.

What Is The Prognosis For A Female With Chlamydia

As discussed previously, chlamydia infection can progress to pelvic inflammatory disease if untreated, which can have serious consequences. Complications include permanent damage to the reproductive organs, including infertility and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia infection in pregnancy can also lead to low birth weight and premature delivery as well as pneumonia and eye damage in the newborn.

Having an untreated chlamydia infection can also increase a person’s risk for acquiring HIV infection. It can also increase the risk that a person with HIV infection will transmit the infection to others during sexual intercourse.

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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 .

What Happens If Chlamydia Remains Untreated

If the Chlamydia infection remains untreated then it potentiates the risk of transmitting/ acquiring HIV. HIV is the virus which causes AIDS. In men, untreated Chlamydia may consequently lead to epididymitis, a condition characterized by the inflamed tubes within the testicles. It may cause swelling, fever and pain. If epididymitis also remains untreated it may produce long lasting adverse effects even on fertility. Rarely, untreated Chlamydia infection also causes reactive arthritis.

In women, untreated Chlamydia causes more damage than in men. It leads to pelvic inflammatory disease which may cause permanent infertility. Women may also experience long lasting pelvic pain. If the infection remains untreated during pregnancy, the risk of premature delivery and ectopic pregnancy increases significantly.

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Can You Recognise Chlamydia From Pictures

Can you tell you if have chlamydia by comparing your visible symptoms with pictures?

No. You cannot tell if you have chlamydia just from the appearance. While you might notice some irritation of the genital area, swelling or discharge, these symptoms can also be caused by other infections. The only way to know that an infection is caused by chlamydia is to have a test.

Could a doctor tell you have chlamydia by looking at visible symptoms?

No. The only way to find out if you have chlamydia is to get tested. After a physical examination your GP may suspect you have chlamydia, but they wont be able to confirm a diagnosis without proper testing.

Could the visible symptoms of chlamydia be mistaken for something else?

Yes, but in many cases chlamydia is symptomless. Symptoms may not occur until 1-3 weeks after you have been infected. The symptoms can also be random and infrequent which can lead individuals to overlook that an infection may be causing the symptoms. It could be that your visible symptoms are a result of a different infection.

What Can Happen If Chlamydia Is Not Treated

In women

Chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease . PID is a serious infection of the reproductive organs. PID can cause:

• Infertility.
• Tubal pregnancies, which can lead to death of the mother and unborn child.
• Inflammation surrounding the liver.

A mother also can pass the infection to her child during birth. Infection in newborns can lead to:

• Eye infections .

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Chlamydia

Not all women and men will show symptoms of the disease. About 70 percent of women and 50 percent of men will not show symptoms of chlamydia. Therefore, if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse then its important to get tested. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in infected women to prevent complications.

Chlamydia In Men Treatment: How Is Chlamydia Treated In Men

Antibiotics are paramount in the treatment of chlamydia in men. If you are having symptoms or a positive partner, presumptive treatment will commence before the test result comes back.

The best medication for the treatment of chlamydia in men is a single dose of azithromycin. If the doctor suspects a gonorrhea co-infection, he/she will add ceftriaxone to your treatment. This is usually the case when the treatment is presumptive.

A 7-day course of doxycycline can serve as an alternative. It substitutes the single dose of azithromycin. In cases of epididymitis, a 10-day doxycycline treatment is appropriate. In cases of LGV, a 21-day doxycycline treatment is necessary. Your doctor will decide the treatment option you need.

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