Chlamydia Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Canada. There are particularly high rates of chlamydia in the youth population between the ages of 15 and 24, which account for over two-thirds of reported cases. What is most alarming about chlamydia, though, is the possibility of long term complications if it is not caught and treated on time. If detected early on, Chlamydia is one of the most easily curable STIs. Am I at risk for getting Chlamydia? Chlamydia can be passed from one sex partner to another through the following ways: • Performing oral sex on your partner’s vulva, penis or anus • Having vaginal sex • Having anal sex *You can only contract Chlamydia from sexual contact. It can not be passed through casual contact or through kissing, hugging or objects such as toilet seats. How can I avoid getting Chlamydia? If you are sexually active and engaging in any of the listed risk activities, you are at risk for contracting chlamydia; however, there are ways to reduce the risk. You can……. • Talk about safer sex with your sex partners • Use a condom every time you have anal or vaginal sex • Use a condom every time you perform oral sex on your partner’s penis • Use a dental dam (made out of a condom or purchased separately) every time you perform oral sex on your partner’s vulva or anus • Get tested every 3-6 months so that if you do contract chlamydia, you and your partner can be treated before any complications occur How do I know if I have Chlamydia? You cannot know for sure whether or not you have chlamydia unless you get tested for it. Approximately 70% of infected women and 50% of infected men have no detectable symptoms. Symptoms can also come and go, leading people to believe that they are cured; furthermore, people can have chlamydia for several months or years and not have any symptoms but still be passing it on to others. Chlamydia will not go away without treatment. For people who do get symptoms they may experience one or more of the following: Men: • Cloudy or milky discharge from the penis • Burning during urination • Pain or swelling in the testicles • Itching of the penis Women: • New or unusual discharge from the vagina • Pain or bleeding during or after sex • Bleeding between periods (keep in mind this is also a common side effect of hormonal birth control) • Pain during urination • Lower abdominal pain How can I get a test for Chlamydia? You can get tested for Chlamydia at your doctor’s office, walk-in clinic or sexual health centre. Keep in mind that when you have your annual pap test (swab of the cervix to check for abnormal cells) you may not be tested for chlamydia unless you specifically request it. There are sexual health clinics located throughout Canada. The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health has several members that provide both testing and treatment. The services provided are confidential and youth friendly. To find a member close to you: http://cfsh.ca/ppfc/find.asp How is the test for Chlamydia done? Testing differs for men and women. For men: • A urine test is most often used. Because men ejaculate and urinate out of the same opening, the urine will have remnants of the STI in it that can be detected. • Some doctors may still take a swab of the penis but this is not commonly done anymore. For women: • A swab of the vagina is taken and sent to a lab for testing. • If a woman is very uncomfortable with this testing method a urine test may be used. Urine tests for women are not nearly as accurate because urine and discharge come out of separate openings. How is Chlamydia Treated? Chlamydia can be treated with a single dosage of antibiotics. This requires a prescription from a doctor. Both you and your sexual partners need to be treated and abstain from having sex until the treatment is finished and the doctor says it is okay to resume sexual activity. Your partners from within the last 3 months need to be informed so that they can be treated as well. If you are uncomfortable or anxious about telling your partners a public health nurse can notify them for you. They will not use your name. What Happens if I get Chlamydia and don’t get treated? If chlamydia is not treated, it can lead to serious complications. Chlamydia will not go away on its own without treatment. For Women: • If left untreated, you can get an infection called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which affects your reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes) and can cause infertility. • You are at increased risk for an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that forms inside your fallopian tubes and is extremely painful and dangerous). • If you are pregnant, you can pass Chlamydia on to your baby during delivery, which can cause serious eye ear or lung infections to occur. For Men: • If left untreated, Chlamydia can cause your prostate gland to swell • Inflammation in the testicles or urethra (tube which expels urine and semen) • In rare cases chlamydia can lead to infertility (inability to get a woman pregnant)