Chlamydia: All You Need to Know!

Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted diseases in the western world, and has 4 million newly diagnosed cases in the US alone every year. It is caused by the bacteria "Chlamydia trachomatis" which is a unique species of bacteria transmitted through sexual intercourse.

This infection can creep up on a woman without her ever realising she's infected. This is because in many cases she doesn't present with any symptoms and the first time she realises she is infected is when she tries to get pregnant and can't because the disease has made her infertile.

The disease infects cells along the endocervix which is the centre of the passageway between the uterus and vagina though it doesn't affect the cells in the vagina itself, it also affects cells in the urethra (Which leads to the bladder), or the rectum.

Chlamydia's initial infection in the lower genital tract soon travels to the upper reproductive tract if it isn't quickly treated. It can then lead to problems which include infertility when the infection scars and blocks the woman's fallopian tubes where eggs and sperm unite. This can also lead to ectopic pregnancies or pregnancies which develop outside the uterus.

Therefore early screening and prompt treatment for both the sufferer and her partner is essential to ensure any physical damage is kept to a minimum.

Safe sex also plays an important part. It's also imperative that when medication is prescribed (Usually antibiotics) that the full course is taken. If the course of antibiotics is not taken as prescribed, then the infection will remain and continue to infect others if unprotected sex occurs. It will also cause damage to the woman's reproductive organs.

Many doctors don't automatically test for Chlamydia, so it's often up to the woman to prompt them for the test, and it's especially important to ask to be tested if you have had unprotected sex especially with one or more partners.

Sufferers shouldn't indulge in sex until at least a week after their treatment has finished, and women should never douche. Douching can push the Chlamydia infection further up the urogenital tract where it will damage the reproductive system.

Monogamy is probably the best protection there is against this disease.

More articles below on this topic

Check Up
The doctor will check for the symptoms.

Vaginal or penile discharge, abdominal pain or pain while urinating can pass up as symptoms for chlamydia. But remember that 75% of the women with chlamydia and 50% of infected men have no active symptoms....more

Explained
Even if you are fully cured, still, you are susceptible to following or subsequent infections; therefore it is very important that your mate or partner consult a doctor to also be treated. Because if not, you two may be passing or tossing the infection again and again....more

Facts and Statistics
How much do you know about Chlamydia? Here are some facts and statistics from the U.S. government that you should know....more

Genital Warts
Genital warts, which could also be called: condylomata acuminata or condyloma, are classified as a sexually transmitted disease that are often times extremely contagious. Findings have discovered that the occurrence of genital wart infections appear in more than 5 million Americans every year....more

Men and Chlamydia
Can you name the most common cause of testicular inflammation and epididymitis (swelling of the sperm conducting tube) in men under the age of 35? Hint: it’s in the title of the article. Chlamydia, the single most common treatable STD is also the most common cause of inflammation of the urogenital tract in men....more

Pregnancy and Protection
When the infection is not treated, the individual is prone to having uterine infection after the baby has been born. Babies born through the vagina have a greater chance of catching the infection; almost half of babies will have conjunctivitis or an eye infection in a few days after their birth; almost up to twenty percent catch pneumonia months after their birth....more

Prevention
• You must take into account that some methods of birth control, like birth control pills, birth control injections, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from contracting a sexually transmitted disease. If you do use any of these methods of birth control, ensure you also use a latex condom or dental dam every time you have sex....more

Should I Be Tested?
If you are worried about whether you or your partner(s) should be tested for Chlamydia or other STDs, then always play it safe and at the very least get yourself tested....more

Symptoms
You should see a doctor to check for Chlamydia if you are sexually active and experience any of the following symptoms:

- a yellowish, pussy or mucous-y vaginal discharge
- a persistent, smelly vaginal discharge
- burning with urination
- any discharge from your anus
- spotting or light vaginal bleeding, particularly immediately after intercourse
- anal bleeding
- frequent lower abdominal pain, particularly if it worsens during menstruation
- frequent lower back pain, particularly if it worsens during menstruation...more

Teens
While the national numbers are bad enough, the age breakdown is even more telling. The reported cases of Chlamydia among girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are nearly ten times the national reported rate. While the rate for teenage boys is considerably lower, the CDC estimates that that may be in part because boys are far less likely to be screened than girls....more

Treatment
Fortunately, the treatment for Chlamydia is easy. In most cases, it is cured by a course of antibiotics. There are several antibiotics that your doctor might choose to prescribe....more

What Should I Do?
 Get it treated right away. Visit a clinic or your doctor. Research suggests having a sexually transmitted disease increases your risk for getting infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS....more

What You Should Know!
For some women the damage to their reproductive system can be catastrophic. The infection can cause scarring to her fallopian tubes which can cause them to malfunction. The fallopian tubes carry her eggs to her womb, and in this scenario her tubes can become either completely blocked, or cause any pregnancy to become impaired....more

You and Chlamydia
Chlamydia is sometimes known as the silent disease because a person can have it and be unaware that they have been infected. The Chlamydia bacteria live in semen and vaginal fluid. Early symptoms can be quite mild, sometimes infected people may have an abnormal discharge, which may be in the form of mucus or pus, from the penis or vagina....more