chlamydia treatment

The sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia has no symptoms and can infect both genders. It may also lead to more serious health problems, such as permanent damage to the female reproductive system. It can make it difficult to get pregnant and may also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy.¹

For your convenience, we accept most major insurance. To verify that your insurance is in-network, visit the Plan Your Visit page. We also offer a discount to those patients who choose to pay in full for their visit at the time of service. Self-pay services are $199.

What are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?

Some people may have no symptoms of chlamydia while others may not see any symptoms until several weeks after they have been infected by having sex with a partner who has this STI. Symptoms may include:^1,2

Men

• Burning sensation during urination
• Pain and swelling in one or both testicles (not very common)
• Yellow or green discharge from the penis

Women

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Bleeding and spotting between periods
• Burning sensation during urination
• Fishy smell or vaginal odor
• Inflamed cervix
• Lower abdomen pain
• Pain during intercourse

Infection rates are highest among women between the ages of 15 and 24. Additionally, women are infected with this STI twice as often as men. Beyond safe sex practices and regular testing, being properly educated as a young adult about common college health concerns can help protect yourself and others.

Chlamydia may spread to the fallopian tube and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The symptoms are:

• Abnormal and heavy vaginal bleeding between periods
• Fever
• Nausea
• Severe pelvic pain

PID is a medical emergency, and you should seek medical attention immediately.

Rectum (Both Men and Women)

Chlamydia can also infect the rectum. This infection happens when you have anal sex an infected person. It can also be transferred from the vagina to the rectum. This version of chlamydia happens more often in men than women. Symptoms include:

• Bleeding
• Discharge
• Rectal pain

Throat (Both Men and Women)

This STI can also be contracted through oral sex. The throat, mouth, lips and tongue may all be infected. If you have any symptoms, they will be:

• Coughing
• Dry or sore throat
• Fever

In more rare cases, both men and women may develop redness of the eyes and Reiter syndrome with arthritis.⁴

Treatment for Chlamydia

The good news is that chlamydia can be cured. Your provider will conduct a laboratory test to diagnose you. You may be asked to provide a urine sample or they may do a swab test to get a vaginal sample.¹

As this STI is bacterial, antibiotics such as azithromycin and doxycycline are used to treat it. Medication will stop the infection. However, it will not undo any permanent damage caused by the disease. Even if you’ve been treated for a previous infection, you can still contract this STI again.²

How soon can you have sex after treating chlamydia? You should wait until your treatment is complete and your provider checks you to determine if you are no longer infected. Follow all of the medication directions and take the entire dose to ensure that your infection fully goes away.²

How long does it take for chlamydia symptoms to go away after treatment? While every case is different, most symptoms stop within one to three weeks.⁵

Repeat infection from this STI is common. You and any infected partner(s) should be tested again around three months after your treatment.

What Causes Chlamydia?

Bacteria known as chlamydia trachomatis causes chlamydia. It can be transmitted through unprotected genital contact or oral, vaginal or anal contact without protection.²

You are at a higher risk of getting the infection if you:²

• Have a history of chlamydia or other STIs.
• Have a non-monogamous relationship with a sexual partner.
• Have unprotected sex with multiple new sex partners.

How to Prevent Chlamydia

Use condoms, limit sexual partners, get regular screenings, and communicate with partners about your sexual health.

Managing the Symptoms of Chlamydia

While the following tips don’t replace the need to see your provider and receive an antibiotic, they may help manage your symptoms:

• Get plenty of rest to support your body’s immune system.
• If you have any lower abdomen pain, use a warm compress.
• Stay properly hydrated to prevent dehydration and help your body flush out bacteria.
• To avoid irritation, women should avoid douching.
• To support healing and reduce irritation, keep your genital area clean and dry.
• You can manage the symptoms of chlamydia by pain relievers such as ibuprofen.

What is It Important to Treat Chlamydia?

To reduce your rate of infection and to minimize the chance of spreading this STI, quick treatment is important. It can also prevent further complications:²

Men

• Infection may spread to the prostate, causing lower back pain, a fever and pain during sex.
• Inflamed epididymis
• Male chlamydial urethritis

Women

• During pregnancy, your infection may be passed along to your child, which can cause pneumonia and eye infections. In fact, around half of all babies delivered vaginally to infected mothers will be infected.⁴
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• The fallopian tubes may become scarred, causing infertility.

Remember – getting the answers to your STD questions doesn’t have to be awkward. MedExpress provides convenient and confidential treatment and testing for several sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You can schedule your visit online or just walk in any day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

REFERENCES:

1. CDC. About Chlamydia. Last updated February 24, 2024. Accessed May 29, 2024.

2. Healthline. Everything You Need to Know About Chlamydia Infection. Last updated May 19, 2023. Accessed May 24, 2024.

3. National Library of Medicine/National Center for Biotechnology Information. Chlamydia. Last updated August 8, 2023. Accessed May 24, 2024.

4. Healthy Children. Chlamydia. Last updated November 21, 2015. Accessed May 24, 2024.

5. CDC. Chlamydial Infections. Last updated July 22, 2021. Accessed May 24, 2024.