Chlamydia
Chlamydia (pronounced kla-mid-e-uh) is one of the most common STIs in Australia, especially in people aged between 14 and 25 years.
Chlamydia affects both girls and guys.
Symptoms
- Around 70% females and 50% males with chlamydia have no symptoms, so may pass an infection on without knowing.
- Girls with chlamydia may notice cramps, pain below the tummy, changes with their periods, a change in vaginal discharge and pain when passing urine.
- Guys with chlamydia may notice a discharge from the penis, swollen/sore testes or testicles and pain when passing urine.
- If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to complications such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in women, and infertility in both men and women.
How do you get it?
It's spread through unsafe sexual contact. You can get chlamydia through vaginal, anal or oral sex.
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| Watch an animated movie on female chlamydia | Watch an animated movie on male chlamydia |
Testing for chlamydia
Testing for chlamydia is easy and may just require a urine sample.
What’s the treatment?
If you have chlamydia, it can be easily treated and cured with a single dose of antibiotics.
It is important to remember that your partners will also need testing and treatment. If your partners are not treated, re-infection is common and this will increase your risk of complications such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or infertility.
What to do
For advice, see your local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic.
More info
- Read a detailed fact sheet about chlamydia.
- Find out more about safe sex.
- Find out more about female sexual health.
- Find out more about male sexual health.