🌎 Chlamydia is widespread
Many people don't realise they have an infection - but chlamydia can have serious consequences if left untreated.
🍆 Protecting helps:
Chlamydia is transmitted during anal, vaginal or oral sex - even without visible symptoms.
🔎 Symptoms often inconspicuous
Burning when urinating, discharge or itching can be indications - but many have no symptoms at all.
🧑⚕️ Early testing & treatment protects you and others
An uncomplicated test provides clarity. Chlamydia can be treated well with antibiotics.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a bacteria that is transmitted during sex - usually during anal or vaginal intercourse, but also during oral sex. The nasty thing is that many people don't realise it at first because the infection often goes unnoticed. However, if left untreated, chlamydia can have serious consequences.
Chlamydia: transmission and risk
Chlamydia is mainly transmitted through unprotected sex - i.e. without a condom or femidom. It doesn't matter whether you're having sex with your cock, arse or mouth. Sex toys that are used together can also transmit chlamydia. Important: You can also become infected if your partner has no symptoms.
What are the first signs of chlamydia?
Many people don't notice anything at first. If they do notice something, it's usually like this:
- Burning or pain when pissing
- Discharge from the penis (clear or purulent)
- Itching or pain in the urethra or at the arsehole
In men in particular, the symptoms are often mild or non-existent. That's why a regular chlamydia test is important if you have changing sexual partners.
Chlamydia: these are the most common symptoms
The most common chlamydia symptoms are
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Itching or burning in the arse (during anal intercourse)
In men, the main symptoms are discharge from the cock (sometimes only in the morning), redness or swelling of the glans and/or pain or swelling in the testicles. Important: Sometimes the symptoms only appear after a few weeks - or not at all. Nevertheless, you can still infect others.
Chlamydia test: this is how it works
Want to know if you have chlamydia? A test will provide clarity. For men, it usually works like this:
- Swab from the urethra or arse (depending on where you had sex)
- Urine sample
The test is quick and does not hurt. Many AIDS service organisations, checkpoints or surgeries offer the chlamydia test anonymously and free of charge or at low cost. You can find all information about the test here.
Treatment: What really helps with chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics. One tablet or a short course of tablets is usually enough. Important: During the treatment and for at least seven days afterwards, you should not have sex so that you don't infect anyone and the infection really heals.
Chlamydia despite having the same partner?
Yes, that can happen. Chlamydia can stay in your body for a long time without you noticing. It's enough if one of you has had the bacteria for a long time - then you can infect each other again and again. Therefore: If chlamydia is detected, all sexual partners should always be treated as well.
FAQ: Chlamydia short & sweet
The best protection against chlamydia is condoms or femidoms during sex - whether anal, vaginal or oral sex - as they significantly reduce the risk of transmission. You should also take a chlamydia test regularly, especially if you have changing sexual partners or are out and about in the community. This way, you can recognise an infection early and have it treated before it is passed on. You should also clean shared sex toys after each use or cover them with a new condom.
Yes, that is possible. If you have had chlamydia once and have been successfully treated, you are not immune afterwards. You can become infected again at any time if you come into contact with the bacteria again. That's why it's still important to protect yourself and get tested regularly - even after you've recovered from an infection.
If chlamydia is not recognised and treated, it can have serious consequences. In men, it can lead to inflammation of the urethra, testicles or prostate. Untreated chlamydia can even impair fertility. There is also a risk of unknowingly infecting other people. Therefore, it is better to get tested and treated once than to have to deal with health problems later on.
The incubation period for chlamydia - i.e. the time from infection to the first possible symptoms - is usually between 1 and 3 weeks. However, many people don't notice any symptoms even though they are infected. That's why it's important to get tested if you're at risk, even if you feel healthy.
