Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection of the reproductive system and one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It affects both sexes and can occur at all ages.

The early symptoms of the disease are very mild. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious health problems, especially in women. It can lead to premature birth and, in pregnancy, can pose serious risks to the baby.

The most effective way to protect against chlamydia is to use appropriate protection during sexual intercourse.

Symptoms

Chlamydia often causes no symptoms; get tested without waiting for symptoms (once a year for sexually active women under 25). When the complaints become noticeable, they can be confused with other diseases.

It is therefore important that everyone who has had unprotected and risky sexual intercourse is aware of sexually transmitted infections and sees a doctor as soon as they notice symptoms.

The Symptoms Seen in Women Are as Follows

1. Vaginal discharge
2. Burning and pain when urinating
3. Pain during sexual intercourse
4. Bleeding outside the menstrual period
5. Pain in the lower abdomen
6. Pain or discharge in the rectal area

Symptoms That May Be Seen in Men

1. Discharge from the penis
2. Burning and pain when urinating
3. Pain in the testicles
4. Pain in the lower abdomen
5. Pain or discharge in the rectal area

In addition, if the bacteria come into contact with the eye, they can cause eye diseases called chlamydial conjunctivitis or trachoma.

Diagnostic Methods

Your physician will first listen to your medical history and complaints and then perform a physical examination. If chlamydia is suspected based on the findings obtained during the examination, they will request a number of tests to confirm the diagnosis.

For the diagnosis of chlamydia, the most suitable sample is first-catch urine in men and a vaginal swab in women; if there has been anal/oral sex, rectal and throat swabs are also taken. You can look at the STI PCR test (CYBH) performed in our laboratory. 

Treatment Methods

Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. The medications must be prescribed by your doctor and must not be stopped before the recommended period.

Your doctor may request a repeat test to determine whether the infection has cleared. In addition, partners must also be tested for chlamydia and treated if necessary.

Treatment of chlamydia does not provide protection against the disease; therefore, it can be transmitted again through sexual contact with an infected person.

When chlamydia is not treated it can lead to the following problems:

1. Pelvic inflammatory disease - PID (infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries)
2. Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy (a risky pregnancy that develops in the fallopian tubes, also called an extrauterine pregnancy)
3. Epididymitis (inflammation of the tube that carries sperm)
4. Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland)
5. Infertility
6. Reiter’s syndrome (reactive arthritis, a type of joint disease)
7. Premature birth
8. Pneumonia and eye infections in newborns

Ways of Prevention

If you are going to have sexual intercourse, you must use protection.

1. Use a condom before every type of sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral and anal). Make sure the condom does not tear and is used correctly.
2. Talk to your partner about sexually transmitted infections.
3. Mutual monogamy reduces the risk.
4. If your partner has symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (pain when urinating, redness or warts in the genital area), avoid sexual intercourse until they have been treated.
5. Get tested for sexually transmitted infections when planning a pregnancy and during pregnancy.