Chlamydia Facts
in Men & Women

Chlamydia is known as a 'silent' disease because often times, an infected individual will exhibit very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. It is very common for a person to be infected and have no idea. This is why getting checked regularly is so important. Not only can untreated chlamydia cause complications, but having an undetected infection makes it more likely that a person will unknowingly spread the disease to others. The only reliable way to accurately determine whether or not you have a chlamydia infection is to undergo an easy STD screening for the disease. When the symptoms of chlamydia do present themselves, they can vary between men and women. Some common symptoms that manifest in women can often include pain while urinating, unusual vaginal discharge, stomach pain, or bleeding between periods. Symptoms in men can include pain while urinating, discharge from the penis, and an itching or burning sensation around the penis.

When left untreated, chlamydia infections can lead to very severe problems in both men and women. Some untreated, chronic infections in women can lead to pelvic pain and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Additionally, women have experienced infertility and tubal pregnancies, which are potentially very dangerous, from complications related to a chlamydia infection. Prenatal problems relating to the disease have also been documented in unborn babies, including pneumonia (fluid in the lungs). Women that have a chlamydia infection are also at a higher risk for contracting HIV during an exposure. In men, an untreated chlamydia infection can spread to other parts of the genitals, including the penis, prostate and testicles. This can cause serious pain and inflammation. In severe cases, untreated chlamydia infections have also been known to cause sterility in men. With all of the risks involved with an undetected infection, it is very important to be sure you know your status. Don't take a chance with your health, get checked today with us.

Getting checked for chlamydia is a very easy process. Our chlamydia screening involves no uncomfortable swabbing or undressing. Simply place your order and bring a copy to one of our certified lab centers. No preparation is needed so you there is no need to fast or do anything beforehand. When getting checked for chlamydia, you will only need to submit a urine sample. We will use your sample to complete an FDA-approved Nucleic Acid Amplification test (NAAT), which is the most reliable and most widely used diagnostic method for this common STD. This test will look for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in your urine, giving us either a positive or negative result. Your results will be available to you in as little as three days. If your results are positive, you will have a consultation with a member of our clinical team to plan your next course of action and, if appropriate, treatment will be prescribed.

Treating chlamydia is generally a very fast and easy process. Once the infection has been identified, one of our physicians or a referred specialist in your area will prescribe you a dose of antibiotics. It is very important that you follow all the specific medical instructions and finish the dosage of antibiotics that is prescribed to you. Be sure that not only you are receiving the appropriate treatment but that any infected sexual partners are additionally being treated for the disease as well. While undergoing this treatment, be sure to abstain from any sexual activity for approximately 7-10 days to prevent transmitting the disease to a partner before you are cured and to avoid becoming re-infected with the bacteria. It is also highly recommended that you and your sexual partner undergo a subsequent chlamydia screening approximately two weeks after your course of treatment. This ensures that all parties involved are free of the bacteria and can prevent a re-infection from going undetected, potentially causing long term complications for you or your partner's sexual health.

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases so it is very important to educate yourself on the facts about chlamydia, how to prevent infection and how to identify possible symptoms. If you are facing a positive result for chlamydia, know that you are not alone. Over 2.8 million people contract this disease every single year according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), making chlamydia the most common bacterial STD out there. While a positive result may seem scary and embarrassing, treatment for chlamydia is very easy. Our clinical staff can assist you in planning your next move and may be able to prescribe treatment directly or refer you to a physician in your area who will do so. As easy as chlamydia is to treat, it is even easier to prevent. Abstaining from sexual activity is the number one way to prevent contracting a sexually transmitted disease. If you choose not to abstain, however, using safe sex methods is very effective in preventing an infection. Condoms and dental dams are effective means of preventing an infection from being transmitted from partner to partner. Additionally, it is important to know the status of your sexual partners. Engaging in monogamous sexual relationships with uninfected partners is an effective preventative measure. Talk openly with your partner(s) about their sexual health and yours and consider undergoing regular STD testing together as a way to prevent the spread of infections.

Men are just as susceptible to chlamydia infections as women. Approximately 50% of infected men do not display any signs or symptoms of the infection, though. This is why it is just as important for men to undergo regular STD screenings as it is for women. With silent diseases like chlamydia, testing is the only way to know for certain whether or not you are infected. When chlamydia does cause symptoms to be expressed in men, some of the more common symptoms can include:
» Discharge from the penis that may be thick yellow, watery, or milky
» Pain while urinating
» Pain in the rectum, rectal discharge, or rectal bleeding
» Inflammation of the eye
Less common symptoms that men display may be:
» An itching or burning sensation around the urethra (opening of the penis)
» Pain or edema (swelling) of the testicles
» Sore throat In men, an untreated chlamydia infection can spread to other parts of the genitals, including the penis, prostate and testicles. This can cause serious pain and inflammation. In severe cases, untreated chlamydia infections have also been known to cause sterility in men.