STD Information
What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a STD that can infect both men and women but presents a greater risk to a woman. Chlamydia can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system and can make it difficult or even impossible for a woman to become pregnant.
How does Chlamydia spread?
You can become infected with Chlamydia by engaging in vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who is infected with the disease. A pregnant woman with Chlamydia can pass the disease onto her baby during childbirth.
If you are pregnant, get tested for Chlamydia at your first prenatal visit and talk to your health care provider about treatment. Chlamydia can cause an eye infection or pneumonia in newborns, and also increase the likelihood of an early delivery.
How do I know if I have Chlamydia?
Most men and women who have Chlamydia experience no symptoms, or if they do, they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with an infected person. Chlamydia can still damage your reproductive system, even if you experience no symptoms.
Men may experience
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Discharge from the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles
Chlamydia can infect the rectum of both men and women. Symptoms may include
- Rectal pain
Discharge
Bleeding
Get tested to find out if you have been infected with Gonorrhea. Alternatives Pregnancy Center offers free STD testing. Call (916) 880-4040 to schedule an appointment.
Symptoms in women may include
- Abnormal or smelly vaginal discharge
- A burning sensation when urinating
- An unusual sore
- Bleeding between periods
What happens if I don’t receive treatment?
Chlamydia can lead to serious health issues and consequences if left untreated. In women, untreated chlamydia can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubs, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to pelvic pain, the inability to become pregnant and a potentially deadly ectopic pregnancy (a condition where the pregnancy occurs outside the womb).
Testing is only available for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. The STD testing is done by a simple urine test, so please come to the appointment with a full bladder. Do not have sexual intercourse 48 hours prior to the appointment. Do not douche 48 hours prior to the appointment. Do not use a tampon 48 hours prior to the appointment. Call (916) 880-4040 to schedule a free STD test.