What is chlamydia?
- Cause
- Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria
- Symptoms
- Usually none
- Diagnosed by
- A urine test or swab
- Recommended treatment
- A short course of treatment
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through vaginal, anal and oral sex and can infect the cervix, urethra, rectum and throat.
Because it so often causes no symptoms, chlamydia is usually found through routine screening or after a partner tests positive.
Without treatment, the infection can climb into the uterus and tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease), causing scarring and long-term pain. In men it can cause painful inflammation near the testicles.
Chlamydia symptoms
Most people have no symptoms. When they do appear, they can include:
Vaginal infection
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Burning when you urinate
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Lower belly pain
Penile infection
- Clear or cloudy discharge
- Burning or itching at the tip of the penis
- Pain or swelling in a testicle (less common)
Rectal infection
- Often no symptoms
- Rectal pain, discharge or bleeding
Get seen promptly if you have
These can signal a complication that needs in-person care:
- Pelvic or lower abdominal pain with fever
- Pain during sex that's new or worsening
- Testicular pain or swelling
Who should get tested
- Sexually active women under 25
- Yearly screening is recommended, even without symptoms.
- Women 25 and older at higher risk
- Such as with a new partner, multiple partners or a partner with an STI.
- Men who have sex with men
- At least yearly testing at every site of contact.
- Anyone with symptoms
- Or whose partner has tested positive for an STI.
How chlamydia is diagnosed
Chlamydia is diagnosed with a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) on a urine sample or a swab from the vagina, cervix, rectum or throat. These tests are very accurate.
Treating chlamydia
Chlamydia is cured with a short course of treatment.
Your provider chooses treatment based on your health history and other medications.
After treatment
- Avoid sex until 7 days after finishing treatment, and until partners are treated
- Make sure partners from the past 60 days are tested and treated
- Get retested about 3 months after treatment, because reinfection is common
Is an online chlamydia visit right for you?
Online care is often a good fit if you:
- Have a positive chlamydia test
- Were told a partner tested positive
- Have mild symptoms and want guidance on testing
- Prefer a private visit from home
Get in-person care if you:
- Have pelvic pain with fever, or pain during sex
- Have testicular pain or swelling
- Have symptoms that continue after treatment
How PulseCareMD can help with chlamydia
A PulseCareMD visit is a private way to get treatment advice after a positive test or exposure. Your visit fee covers the consultation.
Share your situation
Answer private questions about test results, exposure and symptoms.
A provider reviews it
A licensed provider reviews your result or exposure and recommends the right treatment. Many visits are reviewed within 2–3 hours.
Get treatment and next steps
Your provider will explain your treatment plan, plus guidance on partner care and retesting.
Preventing chlamydia
Simple steps cut your risk significantly:
Use condoms
Every time, for vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Treat partners together
So you don't pass the infection back and forth.
Talk openly
Ask partners about recent testing before sex.
Frequently asked questions
When to get emergency care
Go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Severe pelvic or abdominal pain
- High fever with pelvic pain or vomiting
- Sudden, severe testicular pain