Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a so-called 'STD', a sexually transmitted disease. This means that it is a contagious condition that can be passed from person to person through sex. It is the most common STD in many countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium. It occurs particularly in young people. Women in particular usually do not notice a Chlamydia infection. This means that in practice you can have it without being aware of it. Moreover, it goes without saying that you can also pass it on to others unnoticed. For women, infection with Chlamydia can have serious consequences for their fertility. It can also make them infertile.

How do I recognize Chlamydia?

The majority of people do not actually notice anything at all about being infected with Chlamydia. Do you have any symptoms? These usually become apparent between one and three weeks following the infection. The majority of women will be infected without ever knowing it. About one in four women would develop complaints. This specifically concerns:

• Pain or burning sensation during urination;
• A painful feeling in the lower abdomen;
• The appearance of more vaginal discharge than usual;
• A little blood from the vagina, even when the woman is not having her period;
• An inflammation of the uterus, ovary or fallopian tubes;

Approximately half of men will develop complaints if infected with Chlamydia. This mainly concerns pain in the scrotum and a burning sensation during urination. In addition, there may also be a yellow-green discharge coming from the penis. This mainly in the morning. It is currently suspected that male fertility is not affected by Chlamydia. However, there is no one hundred percent certainty about this yet.

Can I do something about it myself?

Safe sex is the only way to prevent Chlamydia infection. Especially when there are multiple bed partners, it is strongly recommended to always use a condom. Taking the pill by a woman protects against pregnancy, but not against sexually transmitted diseases. Do you suspect that you have been infected with Chlamydia? Then it goes without saying that safe sex is a must. Moreover, it goes without saying that you should inform potential bed partners of your infection. This way they can also be tested and treated if necessary.

Which medications are used for Chlamydia?

There are various medications that can be prescribed when there is a Chlamydia infection. It is important to take into account that not only you, but also your bed partner must take the antibiotics together with you. Otherwise, it is possible that you will re-infect each other and that obviously cannot be the intention. Can't do it at the same time for some reason? Always as quickly as possible. The medications that can be administered for Chlamydia are:

• Azithromycin;
• Doxycycline;

It is very important to keep taking the pills until they are completely gone. This also applies when the complaints you had have disappeared. Aren't you taking off the antibiotics? Then the bacteria will remain in your body, causing you to retain Chlamydia.