DO I HAVE CHLAMYDIA?

Think you may have contracted chlamydia or just want peace of mind? At Clearway Clinic, we can test for STD’s in our office at no cost to you with just a urine test – no needles or blood draw required. Although we are not scheduling STD testing during this time due to the COVID-19 crisis, give us a call and we can refer you to a safe space to get tested. We will be resuming testing on June 1, 2020.

Chlamydia is one of the most common forms of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States? According to the CDC, up to 1 in 20 sexually active young women ages, 14-24 get infected.

HOW DO I GET INFECTED?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through sexual contact. Many people that are infected are asymptomatic, so you might not even know you have it. Additionally, it is possible to get re-infected even if you have it once and are successfully treated. For this reason, the CDC recommends that you get tested for chlamydia at least once a year if you are sexually active and age 25 or younger.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The majority of people infected with chlamydia do not have symptoms, but there are still some warning signs to look out for. For women, these include:

• Abnormal and foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Abdominal pain
• Pain with intercourse
• Painful and frequent urination

For men, the symptoms, if any are present, are similar.

• Painful urination
• Discharge
• Testicular pain

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE CHLAMYDIA?

Symptoms are rare, you might not know if you are infected. While it might seem like not that big of a deal, if left untreated, the infection can cause problems down the line.

For women, untreated chlamydia can sometimes lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Although this condition itself can also carry no symptoms, in severe cases this can lead to a variety of issues, including infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and even increases your risk for an ectopic pregnancy.

Infertility is when you struggle with either getting or staying pregnant. It can happen if chlamydia spreads to either the uterus or fallopian tubes. This can also cause chronic pelvic pain and bleeding in between periods. If you get pregnant and it is left untreated, it can put you at higher risk for ectopic pregnancy, which is when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus – most often in the fallopian tubes. This condition can be life-threatening.

If you are currently pregnant, chlamydia can affect both you and your baby. Bacterial infections, including chlamydia, can cause premature delivery and/or low birth weight for your baby. You can also transmit the infection to your baby through delivery, which is why it is recommended that you are tested for several infections, including chlamydia, during your pregnancy.