- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that is very common but is often not reported, as it shows no symptoms for a long time. The condition can be treated, but if it is left for too long it can cause a number of complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, and infertility. Regular screening helps catch the infection, and there are ways of preventing it’s spread.
Chlamydia is a notoriously harmful sexually transmitted disease for two reasons.
One is that very few people are aware of what it does, and another is that it can show no symptoms. The general ignorance of the public when it comes to diseases and infections can be one of the biggest killers out there. Knowledge of Chlamydia and the relatively devastating effects that it can have would almost certainly convince many people to take more preventative measures, and to get screened if they think they may have the infection.
There are some symptoms that can show themselves in people suffering from Chlamydia. Women may experience pain, vaginal discharge and in some cases cystitis. Symptoms such as these don’t necessarily indicate Chlamydia, but they are telltale signs of the infection. Anyone suffering from these symptoms should seek advice from their local GP or gynaecologist as soon as possible, and have a Chlamydia test to determine whether this is the problem or not. Men may experience penile discharge, or perhaps slight irritation of the head of the penis.
As Chlamydia can show few or no symptoms, it is important that people are educated about the infection, so they know when to get checked out. If someone is sexually active, they are at risk of catching Chlamydia. The likelihood of someone becoming infected increases dramatically if they have had unprotected sex, and if they have had many sexual partners. These people should get checked out as soon as possible, as there is a chance, however small, that they might have received the infection.
A simple urine test can determine whether someone has been infected with Chlamydia or not, and the infection can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Two specific types of antibiotics, macrolides and tetracyclines, are most effective against this sexually transmitted infection. It is also important to inform any sexual partners if someone is suffering from Chlamydia, so they can be tested themselves and prevent others from becoming infected. The use of condoms can significantly decrease the chances of becoming infected with Chlamydia.