Why Does It Burn When I Pee? Well, About the Other Night…

<p>Of all the reasons you’re likely to get a callback from the sexual health clinic, chlamydia is up there with the most common. This virus is one of the most “popular” byproducts of risky sexual interactions, and although we can be comforted by the fact that it is highly treatable (thank you, antibiotics), it can do real damage if left unchecked.</p> <p>Let’s learn more about chlamydia.</p> <h2>Chlamydia is a “silent” infection</h2> <p>Young adults are the biggest carriers of <em>Chlamydia trachomatis,</em> the virus behind the infection, and it can be found all over the world. It’s an unwanted guest at many a party, nightclub, and Tinder date, and in fairness to the infected, they may have no idea they’re carrying it because chlamydia often shows no symptoms.</p> <h3>Statistics on chlamydia</h3> <ul> <li>Chlamydia is one of the most commonly reported STIs worldwide. The WHO reports that around 127 million new cases occur each year.</li> <li>According to the CDC, there were 1.8 million cases of chlamydia in 2019.</li> <li>Young people between 15 and 24 are disproportionately higher carriers of the infection. In the US, around two-thirds of cases occur in this age bracket.</li> <li>Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics. More than 95% of patients will be cured of the infection if they take their antibiotics as directed.</li> </ul> <figure><img alt="Chlamydia in the U.S. | Source: CDC" class="img-responsive" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/WdxbOXceA2/thumbnail.jpg" /> <figcaption>Chlamydia in the U.S. <em>Source: CDC</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>Path to infection</h3> <p>Unprotected sexual contact with an infected individual is the main way chlamydia spreads. Transmission can happen through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The infection can also pass from mother to child during childbirth.</p> <h3>Most cases are symptomless</h3> <p>A frustrating fact of chlamydia is its symptomless manifestation, particularly early in the infection. As a result, infected people can unwittingly pass on the infection to their sexual partners. European estimates suggest that at least 70% of chlamydia infections in women and 50% in men are symptomless at the time of diagnosis.</p> <p>When symptoms do show up, it’s usually one to three weeks after exposure. Common symptoms in women include:</p> <ul> <li>Abnormal vaginal discharge (may be yellow or green in color and have a strong odor)</li> <li>Painful urination</li> <li>Pelvic or abdominal pain</li> <li>Pain during sex</li> <li>Bleeding between periods</li> </ul> <p>For men, the signs may include:</p> <ul> <li>Penile discharge</li> <li>A burning sensation during urination</li> <li>Pain and swelling in the testicles (although this is rare)</li> </ul> <h3>Risks of letting chlamydia hang around </h3> <p>Left untreated, chlamydia can do serious damage. In women, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a condition that features complications like chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. </p> <p>In men, it can lead to epididymitis, an inflammation of the tube that carries sperm from the testicles, which may cause infertility.</p> <h2>Cleaning out chlamydia</h2> <h3>Diagnosis</h3> <p>A positive with chlamydia is that testing for it is relatively simple and a mainstay of general STI screenings. A urine test or swab of the infected area (e.g., cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat) can elucidate its presence.</p> <p>Chlamydia’s numbers and ease of transmission make it essential to get tested regularly, particularly if you’re sexually active or have multiple partners. </p> <figure><img alt="The Value of Chlamydia Screening | Source: CDC" class="img-responsive" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/PqE660F1A2/thumbnail.gif" /> <figcaption>The Value of Chlamydia Screening. <em>Source: CDC</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>Treatment</h3> <p>The best thing about chlamydia is that it can be reliably zapped with a round of antibiotics, like azithromycin or doxycycline. Just make sure to complete the full round of what the doctor prescribes; don’t give up halfway through the course even if symptoms disappear, as it doesn’t mean the infection is fully gone yet.</p> <p>Quickly treating chlamydia helps to prevent the spread of the infection and reduce the risk of complications.</p> <h2>Prevention </h2> <h3>Condoms are a must</h3> <p>Chlamydia mainly gets around because some of us are lax on latex. Condoms provide somewhere between 50% and 90% protection against this infection.</p> <p>Rubber up if you’re going to have sex, and ensure condoms are applied correctly. That goes for vaginal and anal as well as oral sex.</p> <h3>Do your due diligence with partners</h3> <p>Because condoms do not provide 100% protection, your next best bet is to limit the number of sexual partners you engage with. Make sure that you also choose these people wisely, i.e., ask them if they get tested regularly themselves and whether they engage in safe sex practices. </p> <h2>Vaccination for HPV</h2> <p>As an aside, remember that you can also get vaccinated against other STIs, including the highly common HPV, strains of which can lead to delightful complications like genital warts and cervical cancer.</p> <h2>More on Chlamydia</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/oja823xu4w-chlamydia-infections" target="_blank">Chlamydia Infections: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/pwgrrxo14j-sexually-transmitted-diseases" target="_blank">Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Types, Symptoms, Treatment</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/5mre6zvczw-safer-sex" target="_blank">Safer Sex: Reduce Your Risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)</a></li></ul>