Chlamydia

Fact sheet about chlamydia

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. People with chlamydia may not always have symptoms; however, untreated chlamydia can cause severe and permanent damage to reproductive organs, affect fertility, and increase the risk of pregnancy complications. This STI is curable with antibiotic medicine. An individual can get chlamydia more than once; however, you can reduce your risk of getting chlamydia in the future with some simple steps.

How does chlamydia spread?

• Chlamydia is spread through sexual contact. It is most commonly spread during condomless sex, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, with someone who has the infection.
• A pregnant person can pass chlamydia to their baby during childbirth.

What are the signs and symptoms of chlamydia?

Chlamydia often has no symptoms but can still cause severe health problems. If there are symptoms, they may not start until weeks after being infected.

Symptoms: 

• A burning sensation when peeing
• Bleeding between periods
• An abnormal vaginal discharge
• Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding
• A thin white or gray fluid that comes out of the penis
• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (less common)

What are my testing options?

You should see a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of chlamydia or are exposed to chlamydia. For testing options in your area, consult the integrated testing and linkage to services locator .   Laboratory tests, using urine samples and/or swabs, can confirm chlamydia. Additionally, the CDC recommends regular testing for chlamydia for everyone who is sexually active.

Chlamydia Testing Recommendations:

Individuals who are sexually active should have an open and honest conversation with their healthcare provider so that the provider can recommend appropriate and relevant STI testing.

• Sexually active women, transgender men, and gender diverse individuals with a cervix, younger than 25 years of age, should be tested every year. Consider getting tested more often if you are having sex with multiple people.
• Sexually active women, transgender men, and gender diverse individuals with a cervix, older than 25 years of age, with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has sexually transmitted infections, should consider getting tested every year.   
• Sexually active gay, queer, or bisexual men should get tested every year.
• Sexually active heterosexual or straight men should get tested every year. 

What are my treatment options?

Chlamydia is curable with the right antibiotic medicine from a healthcare provider. It is important to take all prescribed medication to cure the bacterial infection that causes chlamydia. Follow-up testing is necessary to make sure the treatment is successful. It is possible to get chlamydia multiple times, even if you have been treated before.

Additionally, retesting for chlamydia three months after treatment is recommended to check for reinfection.

What happens if chlamydia is left untreated?

Chlamydia can infect the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, leading to conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition that can cause abdominal and pelvic pain. PID can lead to long-term pelvic pain, inability to get pregnant, and potentially deadly ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).

In individuals with a penis, health problems caused by chlamydia are rare, but sometimes chlamydia can infect the testicles and cause infertility. 

Untreated chlamydia may also increase the risk of getting or transmitting HIV, which is the virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). For more information about HIV, visit the HIV page.

How can I prevent chlamydia?

There are a few steps you can take to stay safe and lower your risk of chlamydia:

• Use condoms correctly during sex and consider other barrier methods like dental dams.
• Limit your number of sexual partners with unknown STI status.
• Talk to a health care provider about Doxy PEP – medicine that can prevent syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia infections after a sexual encounter. For more information, access our Doxy PEP page.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of chlamydia. For testing options in your area, consult the integrated testing and linkage to services locator.  

Medications like doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy PEP) can help prevent bacterial STIs after exposure, while HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PrEP) can reduce your risk of acquiring HIV. Take charge of your sexual health and talk to your provider about what methods are right for you.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor, nurse, or sexual and reproductive health provider
• Your health center or family planning clinic
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of STD Prevention & HIV Surveillance, Partner Services Program at [phone].
• Doxy PEP information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
• HIV PrEP information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health