Chlamydia Dr Rob Hicks Chlamydia is one of the most common and easily treated sexually transmitted infections, yet it often goes unnoticed until it has seriously affected a person's fertility. Here are the symptoms to watch out for and the treatments available.

In this article

What causes it? Who's affected?

What are the symptoms? What's the treatment?

Can it be prevented?

Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is easily passed between people who have unprotected sex.

Estimates vary, but it's thought that one to two per cent of people have chlamydia, many without knowing it.

Studies suggest that many women and men have chlamydia but don't experience symptoms.

When symptoms do appear, women may notice:

• Slight increase in vaginal discharge
• Pain on passing urine and the need to go more frequently
• Lower abdominal pain
• Irregular bleeding

Men with the infection are more likely to have noticeable symptoms. These include:

• White/cloudy and watery discharge from the penis
• Pain or burning when passing water
• Mild irritation at the end of the penis

Left untreated, chlamydia can cause painful inflammation of the testicles in men, which can affect fertility.

In women, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease resulting in problems with fertility. It can also lead to long-term pelvic pain.

Untreated infection during pregnancy is associated with ectopic pregnancy and premature birth. It can be passed to the baby during delivery, causing eye or lung infections.

Antibiotics will effectively treat chlamydia.

When one person is treated, it's important their partner(s) are tested to determine whether they need treatment too.

Practising safer sex by using condoms can reduce the risk of getting chlamydia.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in December 2007