Chlamydia infection is a dangerous sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Although dangerous, these infections are common and can be cured. Unfortunately, 75% of women infected with Chlamydia do not show any symptoms until complications occur. Therefore, in order to be treated immediately before it is too late, women should know and be able to recognize the various symptoms of Chlamydia infection.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of Chlamydia Infection in the Genital Area
Step 1. Pay attention to vaginal discharge
Unusual vaginal discharge may indicate a Chlamydia infection or another STI.
- Signs of abnormal vaginal discharge include an unpleasant or abnormal smell, darker color, or an unusual texture.
- If you suspect that your vaginal discharge is abnormal, consult your doctor, gynecologist, or other medical professional for examination and treatment.
- Blood in vaginal discharge when you are not menstruating can also indicate a Chlamydia infection.
Step 2. Watch for pain
Pain when urinating and/or having sex can be a symptom of Chlamydia infection.
- If pain occurs, do not have sex until you have consulted a doctor. In some cases, Chlamydia infection can cause pain during sexual intercourse.
- A burning sensation when urinating can occur in many types of infections, from yeast infections to STIs. Immediately consult a doctor.
Step 3. Watch out for bleeding after sexual intercourse
Some women experience light bleeding after sexual intercourse. Sometimes, the bleeding is a symptom of Chlamydia infection in women.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about bleeding, discharge, or pain in the rectum
Bleeding, pain, and/or discharge from the rectum are symptoms of Chlamydia infection. Chlamydia infection in the vagina can spread to the anus. If caused by anal sex, Chlamydia infection can occur in the rectum.
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Other Symptoms of Chlamydia Infection
Step 1. Watch for mild pain in the lower back, abdomen, and pelvis that gets worse over time
Women with Chlamydia infection may also experience back pain in the same area as if they have kidney disease. The pain may indicate the Chlamydia infection has spread from the cervix to the fallopian tubes.
If the Chlamydia infection gets worse, the lower abdomen will hurt when lightly pressed
Step 2. Consult a doctor if your throat hurts
If you have a sore throat and have recently had oral sex, you may have contracted Chlamydia from your partner, even if your partner doesn't have any symptoms.
Penis contact with the mouth is one of the possible transmission of Chlamydia infection
Step 3. Watch for nausea and fever
Women with Chlamydia infection often experience fever and nausea, especially if the infection has reached the fallopian tubes.
The body that has a fever has a temperature of more than 37 degrees Celsius
Method 3 of 3: Understanding Chlamydia Infection
Step 1. Understand the risk factors for Chlamydia infection
If you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex, have multiple sexual partners, and/or have sex without the use of protective equipment, you are at risk for chlamydia infection. Chlamydia infection is transmitted when the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria come into contact with mucous membranes. Sexually active people should have screenings to detect various types of STIs, including Chlamydia infection, every year. Examination should also be done after each get a new sexual partner.
- The risk of Chlamydia infection is higher if you have sexual intercourse without using protective equipment because your partner may have a Chlamydia infection or another STI. Various types of STIs, including Chlamydia infection, can be prevented by using latex condoms and dental dams.
- The risk of Chlamydia infection is also higher if you are diagnosed with another STI.
- Younger people are at higher risk for Chlamydia infection.
- Since men who have sex with men are at a higher risk of getting Chlamydia infection, talk to your partner and make sure he or she has not had sexual relations with anyone other than you.
- Transmission from the mouth to the vagina and mouth to the anus usually does not occur. Transmission from mouth to penis and penis to mouth can certainly occur although the possibility of transmission through oral sex is less than through vaginal or anal sex.
Step 2. Run a Chlamydia infection detection test before symptoms appear
75% of women infected with Chlamydia do not experience any symptoms. Chlamydia infection destroys the body, even if no symptoms appear. Untreated Chlamydia infection causes pelvic inflammatory disease, which can result in scar tissue formation and infertility.
- If they do occur, symptoms usually appear 1-3 weeks after being infected with the Chlamydia bacteria.
- Immediately consult a doctor if your partner is diagnosed with Chlamydia infection.
Step 3. Run one of two types of tests
Samples were taken by the swab method from the infected genital area, then examined. In female patients, samples are taken from the cervical, vaginal, or rectal areas. In male patients, samples are taken from the urethra or rectum. In addition, a urine test can also be done.
Consult a doctor or come to the nearest clinic or other place that provides STI testing. In many places, the test is free
Step 4. Get treatment right away
If a Chlamydia infection is diagnosed, oral antibiotics, particularly azithromycin and doxycycline, are usually prescribed. If antibiotics are consumed until they run out according to the doctor's instructions, Chlamydia infection can heal within 1-2 weeks. However, in more severe cases, intravenous antibiotics may be necessary.
- If you are infected with Chlamydia, it's a good idea for your partner to also undergo examination and treatment so that you both don't infect each other with this disease again. Don't have sex until you're both completely healed.
- There are many patients with Chlamydia infection who also have gonorrhea. So, the doctor may also prescribe medication to treat gonorrhea. Gonorrhea treatment costs less than the detection test. So, treatment may be carried out without undergoing tests first.
Tips
- Since symptoms of Chlamydia infection only appear in about 30% of women infected with this bacterium, get a Chlamydia detection test if you have an active sex life. If not detected, Chlamydia infection can cause women to experience life-threatening reproductive complications, which can be easily prevented through the use of antibiotics and the use of protective equipment.
- Don't jump to conclusions on your own if you're in a long-term monogamous relationship. Chlamydia is often asymptomatic and can go undetected for months or even years. The only way to know for sure is to have an examination. In addition, false positive results, although rare, are still possible.
