Chlamydia Screening & Treatment

Women’s Chlamydia Treatment and Screening Clinic in Singapore.

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis.

How do you get chlamydia?

You can catch chlamydia if:

• You have unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who already has the infection.
• You are giving or receiving oral sex with someone who has chlamydia.
• You come into contact with the semen (cum or pre-cum) or vaginal fluids of someone who has chlamydia.
• You are sharing sex toys that aren’t washed or covered with a new condom each time they’re used

Even if you have had chlamydia before, you can still catch it again

You can’t get gonorrhoea from kissing, hugging, sharing baths or towels, swimming pools, toilet seats or from sharing cups, plates or cutlery.

It is possible for the bacteria to spread in the vaginal secretions, to the rectum. You don’t need to have anal sex for this to happen.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

Majority of who have chlamydia do not have any genital symptoms when they are infected.

Signs and symptoms can show up 1–3 weeks after coming into contact with chlamydia, many months later, or not until the infection spreads to other parts of your body.

The most common symptoms in women are:

• A change in the colour or smell or amount of discharge from the vagina
• pain when passing urine
• lower abdominal pain
• Bleeding between periods or heavier periods
• Pain or Bleeding after sex

There are rarely any symptoms if the infection is in the rectum (back passage) but it may cause discomfort and discharge.

Infection in the eyes can cause pain, swelling, irritation and/or discharge. Infection in the throat is uncommon and usually has no symptoms

Learn more about symptoms of other Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

Do I need any tests?

Yes, a sample from the genital area is needed to make the diagnosis.

Firstly, Your doctor will do an internal examination of your vagina and cervix (entrance to the womb ).

Subsequently ,Your doctor will take a swab from the vagina or cervix (neck of the womb) and send it to a laboratory where it will be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis.

Urine test may also be used

If you have had oral or anal sex, the doctor may also take swabs from your throat and anus.

If you have chlamydia, you should also be tested for other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, syphilis, herpes, trichomoniasis, hepatitis B and gonorrhoea, as you can have more than one infection at the same time.

What is the treatment for chlamydia?

Treatment for chlamydia is simple

If there’s a high chance you have the infection, treatment may be started before the results of the test are back.

You’ll always be given treatment if a sexual partner is found to have chlamydia.

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotic tablets.

Do tell the doctor or nurse if you’re pregnant, or think you might be, or you’re breastfeeding.

This may affect the type of antibiotic that you’re given.

 

Should I have sex if I have chlamydia?

You should avoid any sex, even with a condom, until after both you and your partner have finished all your treatment and you are reviewed by your doctor .

What are the possible complications of chlamydia?

Chlamydia is unlikely to lead to any long-term problems if it is treated quickly. However, without treatment chlamydia can cause serious problems.

Women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

This can cause abdominal and pelvic pain.

It can also lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).

Do I need to tell my partner?

If you do have chlamydia, it is essential that your current sexual partner, and any other sexual partner you have had over the last two months, is tested and treated.

This is to stop you getting the infection again, and also so your partners do not develop complications.

(This article “Chlamydia Screening & Treatment” is written by Our Guest writer Dr Mastura Shahrum)

Take care gals!

Dr. Mastura Shahrum

Need a Female Doctor?

Having Women’s Health concerns? Please visit or contact our partner clinics at their GP Plus Clinics in Singapore. They are open on weekends too.

For more information, please visit DTAP Clinic website, www.dtapclinic.com or email them at hello@dtapclinic.com.sg