HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Chlamydia
KÅtureture
Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection passed on by having sex.
If you're sexually active, it's a good idea to get tested. You can get tested at your general practice, school clinic or rural clinic. You can also get tested at the Sexual Health Clinic.
You can be tested for chlamydia with a simple swab or a urine test. You may be able to take the swab yourself. Even if you feel embarrassed, it's better to get checked than to have untreated chlamydia.
Symptoms of chlamydia
Many people with chlamydia do not have any symptoms.
Women with chlamydia may have vaginal discharge, pain when peeing, pain during sex, unusual vaginal bleeding or lower abdominal pain. Men may have a discharge from their penis, pain when weeing or pain in their testicles.
Treating chlamydia
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. Your sexual partner will need to be treated at the same time.
You should avoid sex or use condoms until seven days after you and your partner have been treated.
If left untreated, chlamydia can cause more serious problems including infertility in men and women.
Using a condom every time you have sex is the best way to protect yourself from getting or passing on chlamydia.
HealthInfo recommends the following videos
- Youth Projects – Chlamydia
A quick video about chlamydia, including how it's spread and its treatment.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Just the Facts – Chlamydia
Information about chlamydia.
- Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa – Chlamydia
Information about chlamydia, how you get it, symptoms and treatment.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2022.
Sources
Review key: HISYP-53679
