Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK and in 2018 approximately 131, 269 cases were diagnosed in England in 18-24 year olds.1
The disease is passed on through unprotected sex and can easily be treated with antibiotics. However if left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease and even infertility.
Symptoms of Chlamydia
In approximately 50% of men and 70-80% of women symptoms do not appear which can result in the disease being undiagnosed which increases the risk of passing the disease on to others as well as serious long term health problems.
If symptoms do occur they are slightly different in men and women.
In women they include:-
- Pain when urinating
- Change in vaginal discharge
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Bleeding during or after sex
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding between periods or increase in intensity of the period
In men they include:-
- Discharge from the tip of the penis which is white, cloudy or watery
- Pain when urinating
- Pain in the testicles
Prevention of chlamydia is as per all other STI's, protecting yourself during sexual contact by using condoms.
There is a national chlamydia screening programme (NCSP) which offers testing and confidential advice. The programme is open to everyone but is free for the under 25s as they are the most at risk group. Testing can be carried out at sexual health clinics, GUM clinics, GP surgeries and even some pharmacies and colleges. Ask your pharmacist if your pharmacy is part of this programme. If not then find out where the local NCSP testing sites are.
There are also home testing kits which are available in pharmacy. Clamelle is the most common kit that can be purchased but always refer a patient asking for a kit to your pharmacist.