Symptoms of Chlamydia

Signs & Symptoms

Chlamydia symptoms range in severity but many people who have chlamydia often do not exhibit symptoms and may not know they have it at all (Health Bridge Limited, 2015). An estimated 70-75% of females experience no symptoms while 90% of males are unlikely to show symptoms (Planned Parenthood, 2014). If symptoms do present, they usually start to affect the person about one to three weeks after the exposure. It is important to get regular STI screenings because even if a person is not exhibiting symptoms or feeling the effects of chlamydia, they can still pass the infection to others as well as suffer the long term effects of untreated chlamydia.

Chlamydia can be passed to someone's eyes, throat, and anal region. It can make eyes itchy, red, sensitive to light, and sometimes the eyes will have a pus or watery discharge (Summit Medical Group, 2015). Chlamydia may also cause the eyelid to swell or crust to form on the eyelashes (St. John, 2015). If the chlamydia virus affects the throat, it can cause a sore throat that lasts for several days (Nelson, 2015).

Chlamydia can also be passed through unprotected anal sex and affect the rectal region. Symptoms can include pain while defecating, a mucus-like discharge, rectal bleeding and itching, as well as general rectal pain (MediResource Inc., 2015).

Common Chlamydia Symptoms for Females

Symptoms that are specific to females can include:

• Bleeding or spotting in between periods (WebMD, 2015)
• A burning sensation during urination (CDC, 2014)
• A more frequent urge to urinate (Planned Parenthood, 2014)
• Sexual intercourse may be painful (also known as dyspareunia)
• Vaginal bleeding after, or while, engaging in intercourse (Planned Parenthood, 2014)
• Lower back or abdominal pain or a heavy feeling in the hips (Health Bridge Limited, 2015)
• Heavier period symptoms and bleeding than normal (NHS, 2015)
• A low fever (Planned Parenthood, 2014)
• A yellow or green vaginal discharge (Healthline Editorial Team, 2015)

Common Chlamydia Symptoms for Males

Symptoms that specifically affect males can include:

• A yellow or green discharge from the penis (Planned Parenthood, 2014)
• Swelling or pain in one or both of the testicles (CDC, 2014)
• Itching or burning sensation around the head of the penis (WebMD, 2015)
• Painful urination (Health Bridge Limited, 2015)

Keeping Your Body & Your Partners Safe

It is incredibly important practice safe sex as well as get regular testing for sexually transmitted infections. Some types of BDSM and other types of sexual activity can expose you to risk that can impact your long term health. Keep your partners safe along with protecting yourself from any of the long term effects of chlamydia or any other STI.