What Does Chlamydia Look Like On A Female

Can I Compare Pictures Of Chlamydia With My Own Body

This isnt a good way to tell if you have chlamydia although it may be tempting to look at pictures of chlamydia on the internet and compare this to any symptoms you are suffering or clinical signs you may have, this is not recommended because:

• Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms or signs

• There are a variety of symptoms of signs that may well not be due to chlamydia

• If you guess you have chlamydia, and get it wrong, you may well be missing another serious infection or medical condition

• The internet does not always give accurate information

• You cannot visualise your own genitalia properly

What if I compare pictures and I think they match? if you have any concerns you may have chlamydia you are strongly advised to have a chlamydia test. Remember even if you compare yourself with pictures and dont see matching symptoms, you could still have chlamydia without visible symptoms. This is very common.

What if I dont want to get tested? there is no good alternative. Chlamydia is a common infection, and it is easy to have a test and be treated if it is positive. Doctors and nurses are trained to deal with these issues, and they will do their best to put you at ease.

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Trichomoniasis And Vaginal Discharges

If youâve recently been infected with trichomoniasis, then your discharge might be yellow-greenish in colorâor, perhaps, just yellow. Your discharge could be frothyâor filled with tiny bubblesâand may have a distinct odor as well . Additionally, you may experience a heavier discharge than normalâparticularly as you near your menstrual cycle.

This picture changes a bit if youâre experiencing a chronic, long-term trich infectionâin which case, you might see mucus mixed in with your discharge.

According to the CDC, approximately 70% of people infected with trichomoniasis do not show any symptoms. So you can still have trich even if you donât have any abnormal discharges! Further, itâs impossible to diagnose trichomoniasis solely on the basis of external symptoms. Thus, if you suspect you have a trich infection, itâs a good idea to take a trichomoniasis test or get tested for STDsâsomething you can now do with a convenient, at-home female STD test kit.

What Are Oral Chlamydia Symptoms

Like most STDs, partners exposed to chlamydia may exhibit no symptoms. Similarly, in oral chlamydia, most people have no symptoms. When symptoms arise, some experience a sore throat. While others, may experience redness of the throat. In any situation, if you or a partner have been exposed to someone who has chlamydia, it is best to get treated as soon as possible to avoid complications.

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How Can You Tell The Difference Between A Uti And Chlamydia

The symptoms

The main symptom that chlamydia does not share with UTIs is penile or vaginal discharge. A chlamydial infection can cause a yellowish, strong-smelling vaginal discharge or a watery, milky penile discharge. Urinary tract infections are not known to cause any sort of abnormal genital discharge.

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Discharge With A Strong Odor

Most people associate a strong-smelling discharge as one of the more common symptoms of chlamydia. But what does chlamydia smell like? In some cases, it does not have any particular strong smell.

The discharge caused by chlamydia is usually yellowish or even brownish in color and can have a very strong or even a foul smell in some women. Its different from the smell of bacterial vaginosis which has a fishy odor. But either way, if you notice a strong odor and an abnormal discharge, you should definitely go to your doctor.

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What Are The Symptoms

Chlamydia symptoms vary, but in most cases, any symptoms are likely to show up around 1-3 weeks after having sexual contact with an infected individual. People with periods tend to experience:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge/discharge with an unpleasant odour
• Painful periods and bleeding between periods
• Abdominal pain accompanied by a fever
• Pain when having sex or when urinating

Whats The Worst That Could Happen

For women, a chlamydia infection can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease , an infection of parts of the reproductive system like the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. That means if you have chlamydia and you dont get it treated, you might not be able to have babies if and when you want to. PID can also lead to problems like chronic pelvic pain or ectopic pregnancy.

In men, untreated chlamydia may spread to the testicles, causing pain, and in rare cases, infertility.

Chlamydia infection also increases your likelihood of getting HIV. Pregnant women who have chlamydia can pass it on to their babies during birth, which could cause blindness or lung damage.

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When To Seek Medical Advice

If you have any symptoms of chlamydia, visit your GP, community contraceptive service or local genitourinary medicine clinic as soon as possible.

Find a sexual health clinic.

You should also get tested if you don’t have any symptoms but are concerned you could have a sexually transmitted infection .

If you’re a woman, sexually active and under 25 in England, it’s recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year, and when you have sex with new or casual partners.

If you’re a man, sexually active and under 25 in England, it’s recommended that you have a chlamydia test once a year if you are not using condoms with new or casual partners.

Read more about chlamydia diagnosis.

Page last reviewed: 01 September 2021 Next review due: 01 September 2024

Can You Get Rid Of Chlamydia

Chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. The best way to cure chlamydia and keep from infecting your partners, is to avoid sex for seven days, until the antibiotics have done their job. If you do end up having sex while the antibiotics are still working it is really important to use a condom or else it is likely the medicine you took wont work. If you got medication to take at home make sure you take all of the pills, even if you start to feel better otherwise the infection might not go away completely.

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Chlamydia Symptoms In Women:

• testicular pain and/or swelling

Depending on the localization of the infection, women, men and children may experience inflamed rectum, urethra or eyelids. The symptoms of mouth and throat infections are rare although a person can suffer a sore throat. Eyes infected with chlamydia can be itchy, swelled, cause painful sensations or produce discharge similar to conjunctivitis. Infection in the rectum results in bleeding, chlamydia discharge and pain.

Deterrence And Patient Education

Asymptomatic infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is very common, whereas the consequences of undiagnosed or untreated infection can be far-reaching. It is for these reasons that screening is recommended. All pregnant women are recommended to be screened for C. trachomatis. All sexually active females younger than 25 should be screened annually. Women older than 25 should be screened if they have risk factors for sexually transmitted infections. Risk factors include sexual partners with multiple concurrent partners, new or multiple sexual partners, inconsistent use of condoms if the relationship is not monogamous, exchanging sex for money or drugs, or previous/coexisting STI. Men who have sex with men should also be screened for chlamydial infection. In individuals with HIV, screening should be done at the initial presentation and annually. For individuals entering a correctional facility, it is recommended to screen for chlamydia in women 35 years old or younger and men thirty years old or younger.

In the United States, C. trachomatis is considered a notifiable infection. Local and state laws regarding disease reporting apply. Sexual partners should be notified, examined, and treated if an STI is found in the index patient. Expedited partner therapy may also be available in certain settings. Expedited partner therapy allows providers to prescribe antibiotics to sexual contacts without establishing a physician-patient relationship.

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How Do You Know If You Have An Std

There is only one way to be sure: You must be tested as soon as possible. While home testing kits for certain STDs, such as HIV, are available, it is crucial for the patient to see a qualified physician. A doctor can identify specific infections and can prescribe appropriate treatment. Patients can also receive counseling regarding effective ways to prevent future infections.There are presently many STDs circulating. Some are relatively new, emergent diseases. Others, such as syphilis, have plagued humankind for many centuries. Modern antibiotics and other drugs have vastly improved our ability to vanquish these dangerous diseases, but early diagnosis and treatment remain crucial.

How Is Chlamydia Screening Done

A person can test for chlamydia at home or in the lab. They can take either a urine sample or a swab.

• Females can take a swab, place it in a container, and send it to a laboratory.
• Males will usually use a urine test.

A doctor can advise individuals on the best option. They may also recommend rectal or throat testing, especially for people who are living with HIV.

Home screening tests are available, but it is not always easy to do them correctly at home. A healthcare provider will usually recommend following up on any home tests by visiting a doctors office.

The person will likely need to provide a urine sample for a test to confirm a diagnosis. After treatment, they will need to retake the test to ensure that the treatment has worked.

If anyone wishes to try home testing, chlamydia screening test kits are available for purchase online.

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Utis And Other Urinary Issues

Vaginal odour: ammonia

If you experience an ammonia-like vaginal odour, urine might be involved. This can happen if you have a urinary tract infection . This is more likely if a UTI is left untreated and you might be leaking, explains Dr Rosén. An infection thats left untreated will also cause a fever, and the smell will be quite distinct and sickly.

Occasionally, an ammonia-like smell can be a sign of an existing incontinence issue that youre unaware of, says Dr Rosén. These issues are very common. A doctor or gynaecologist can advise on treatment options.

Early Signs Among Women

• May vary in consistency, or color

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How Can You Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections

Here are some ways to help prevent STIs.

• Limit your sex partners. Sex with one partner who has sex only with you can reduce your risk of getting an STI.
• Talk with your partner or partners about STIs before you have sex. Find out if they are at risk for an STI. Remember that it’s possible to have an STI and not know it.
• Wait to have sex with new partners until you’ve each been tested.
• Don’t have sex if you have symptoms of an infection or if you are being treated for an STI.
• Use a condom every time you have sex. Condoms are the only form of birth control that also helps prevent STIs.
• Don’t share sex toys. But if you do share them, use a condom and clean the sex toys between each use.

Vaccines are available for some STIs, such as HPV. Ask your doctor for more information.

When To See Your Obgyn

Ultimately, you cant know for sure if you have a yeast infection or an STD unless you get tested by a doctor. Youll want to set up an appointment as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Vaginal or vulvar itching, soreness, and irritation
• A burning feeling during sex or urination
• Think, white discharge
• Any discharge that has an unusual odor or color
• Redness and swelling around your vulva or genital area
• Unusual skin conditions on your vulva such as blisters, cracking, or scaly white patches
• Bleeding after sex or between menstrual periods
• Lower abdominal pain
• Bleeding during or after a bowel movement

All of these symptoms can be indicators of a yeast infection, STDs, or other medical conditions that need to be addressed by a medical professional.

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What Can Happen If Chlamydia Isnt Treated

Untreated chlamydia can put your health at risk. Make an appointment with your provider immediately if you notice any symptoms of chlamydia, and get regular STI screenings to avoid complications later.

Complications of chlamydia for people with vaginas

Untreated chlamydia can cause:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease . PID is a serious condition that requires hospitalization. It can occur when an untreated STI, like chlamydia, damages your reproductive organs. PID can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain. It can also cause an ectopic pregnancy,which is life-threatening for the fetus and potentially deadly for the mother or gestational parent, too.
• Pregnancy complications. An untreated infection can lead to pre-term delivery. Also, if youre pregnant and have chlamydia, you can pass the infection on to your newborn. Babies born with chlamydia may have pneumonia or conjunctivitis that could lead to blindness if not treated.

Complications of chlamydia for people with penises

Untreated chlamydia can cause:

• Epididymitis. Infection can spread to the testicles and the tube that carries sperm to your testicles , causing symptoms like pain, swelling and tenderness in your testicles.
• Reduced fertility. Chlamydia can harm your sperm, negatively impacting your ability to conceive.

Complications of chlamydia that can affect all genders

Untreated chlamydia can:

What Are Chlamydia Symptoms

Chlamydia in women and people with female reproductive organs is often asymptomatic. This means that people often do not experience any discomfort or notice any changes while infected.

Without any symptoms, people may be infected and not know it. Some people may have very mild or vague symptoms after they are infected, which can be confused with a urinary tract infection or vaginal infection .

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Chlamydia Trachomatis And Co

C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae are the two most common bacterial causes of lower genital tract infection. Clinical findings need to be corroborated with the laboratory investigations as the signs and symptoms of both are indistinguishable. Therefore, in the syndromic approach used in resource-limited settings, urethral discharge is simultaneously treated for both. C. trachomatis is recovered more often from women who acquire gonorrhoea than from similarly exposed women who do not acquire gonorrhoea. In individuals with gonorrhoea, there exists a 15-40 per cent higher risk of acquiring Chlamydia. Further, individuals infected with both C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae shed larger number of C. trachomatis than those infected with C. trachomatis alone. These data suggest that acquisition of a gonococcal infection either reactivates a persistent chlamydial infection or increases the susceptibility of the host to Chlamydia. Post-gonococcal urethritis is often due to C. trachomatis infection which is not cured by conventional therapy against gonorrhoea. Co-infection of C. trachomatis with N. gonorrheae has been reported to range between 1.1 to 67 per cent,,,,.

How Is It Treated

Chlamydia is usually easily treated with antibiotics, and sometimes can disappear in just a week. You will be asked to avoid sex until you and your partner are finished treatment, and to contact any other recent sexual partners to give them a heads up â it can be awkward, but its the right thing to do to help them treat the condition early. Your local GUM clinic can help you do this anonymously. If you have tested positive and are under 25, you have a higher risk of catching it again in future, so youll be offered a follow-up test.

Worried you may have chlamydia? Or have you tested positive? Dont be afraid to reach out to your GP to get tested or treated. Chlamydia is a very common STI, and luckily it can be easily treated when caught early, so dont put this off.

If you have questions, we are happy to answer! Glide into our Instagram DMs at and lets talk chlamydia, or reach out to our private FB group where no topic is off-limits. Donât forget that our personalised menstrual care subscription can get organic tampons, PMS supplements and much more delivered easily and regularly through your letterbox. Thatâs one less thing to worry about each month.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Chlamydia In Men

Most cases of chlamydia in men have no symptoms. Current estimates indicate that only 10% of men develop symptoms of chlamydiathese symptoms do not show up immediately when they do occur. It usually takes around 510 days after exposure to chlamydia for symptoms to begin. When symptoms or other health problems develop, chlamydia is referred to as a sexually transmitted disease .

The symptoms discussed here refer to those that cis-gendered men may experience. If you are a transgender man, depending on your anatomy, the symptoms related to you may be described here or in our related article on women and chlamydia. The body parts discussed here are the urethra, epididymis, prostate, lymph nodes, rectum, and throat.

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