Today’s figures show that sexually transmitted infections in England are on the rise, with a 24% increase in Chalmydia reported in 2022. It is also the UK’s most diagnosed STI. Chlamydia is caused by a bacterial infection, and cause larger issues with an individuals health if left untreated, including infertility. Keep on reading to learn more about what chlamydia is, what causes it and more.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is passed through unprotected sex without a condom. It is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis and is prevalent particularly with sexually active young adults and teenagers.

Here are some common symptoms you may experience if you have chlamydia:

Everyone

• Painful sensation when urinating
• Unusual discharge from either; the vagina, penis or anus

Women

• Pain in the stomach
• Bleeding after penetrative sex
• Bleeding between periods (both light & heavy)

Men

• Pain in the testicles
• Swelling in the testicles

Here are some other ways you can get it too:

• Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex
• Genital contact
• Genital fluids
• Mother to baby (during birth)

Chlamydia will not be passed through the following:

• Hugging
• Kissing
• Toilet seats
• Sharing towels or clothing
• Swimming pools

What happens if Chlamydia is left untreated?

Chlamydia can easily be treated with a short course of antibiotics, but if you leave it untreated for long periods of time, it can lead to serious health issues. When chlamydia is left untreated however the infection will begin to spread to other areas of the body. This is what causes serious health conditions, particularly in women. These conditions are pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancies.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive system which includes the womb, fallopian tubes and the ovaries. Symptoms can vary from pain the pelvis or lower stomach, discomfort or pain during sex that is felt deep inside the pelvis. PID spreads through infections that spread from the vagina to the reproductive organs due to sexually transmitted infections or bacteria that lives in the vagina. Some people experience infertility with this condition, especially if treatment of the infections are delayed or if you have experience PID more than once.