Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI. It’s caused by bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis. The bacteria live in the semen and vaginal fluids of infected people. If it goes untreated and causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), it can lead to infertility.

The most common symptom is no symptom at all. This means it can be passed on without knowing. Symptoms can appear differently depending on your sex.

Female symptoms:

• Abdominal (tummy) pain
• Back pain
• Pain when urinating (weeing)
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding after sex.

Male symptoms:

• Discharge from penis
• Burning sensation when urinating (weeing)
• Swollen and sore testicles
• Itchy and burning penis.

Treatment

Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics. You will always be offered treatment if your partner tests positive for chlamydia. You can catch chlamydia more than once, even if you’ve been treated for it before.