1. For females who are infected with Chlamydia, does it affect their periods in any way?

Chlamydial infection can cause a woman to have irregular bleeding from her vagina. This can range from a bit of spotting on underwear to a brownish discharge, or heavier, more painful periods, while other women notice no changes at all.

2. Can you have Chlamydia without having sex?

Whether or not you or your partner have Chlamydia before having sex depends on your definition of being a virgin...For some people this means only not having penis in vagina sex, whereas for me, as a Sexual Health Nurse, it really means having ANY form of sexual contact- (penis in anus/ penis in vagina/ oral to penis/oral to vagina). If BOTH you and your partner are virgins (that is NO sexual contact with other people- (no oral, vaginal or anal sex of any kind), then, NO, neither of you can have Chlamydia. Chlamydia is passed from an infected person to another person during unprotected sex where the genitals (or throat) come into contact with the bacteria, and then infect the new person's penis/anus/vagina/throat.

3. What is GLBTI?

GLBTI stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex. These are words that help to describe a range of sexualities that many people (young or old) in the community will identify with. They relate to a person’s sexual identity or to their gender identity, or both. Someone who identifies as ‘gay’, for example, is likely to be a man who is sexually attracted to other men and who sees themselves as gay. (There are also men who have sex with men, or who are sexually or romantically attracted to men who don’t identify as gay). A woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to women might identify as ‘lesbian’. Someone who identifies as bisexual is likely to be sexually attracted to men and women. Someone who identifies as transgender might feel as though they are neither male, nor female, or might feel that the ‘sex’ they are born into (male or female) isn’t how they see themselves. ‘Intersex’ refers to a situation where a person’s chromosomes (male or female) or their secondary sexual characteristics (genitals, pubic hair, breast development) are not exclusively male or female.

4. I am a GLBTI, could I also have Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a bacteria that is transmitted through sexual contact (usually intercourse – penis/vagina or anal). This little germ doesn’t discriminate between the sexual or gender identity of the people having sex – so if you have had unprotected sex (penis/vagina; anal sex; penetration with sex toys) with someone who has Chlamydia then you could also be at risk for Chlamydia. The testing and the treatment are the same whoever you are, so for more info go to the Getting Help section of this website.

5. Can you die from it?

No, you can not die from having Chlamydia.

Unfortunately, sometimes babies born to mums who have Chlamydia can become very sick. If the mum has Chlamydia, the baby's eyes and mouth can become infected with the bacteria when it is being born through the vagina. This can lead to conjuntivitis (sticky, sore, red eyes) or pneumonia, which can be life threatening to the baby if not treated in time.

6. How can you be tested for Chlamydia?

Testing for Chlamydia is really simple! Your GP or Sexual Health doctor/nurse will ask you for a urine specimen (you wee into a small container). It is best done when you haven't wee'd for at least 2 hours before hand. The specimen will be sent to a laboratory for testing, and the results will be back, usually within 1 week.

You can not be tested for Chlamydia with a blood test.

Depending on your sexual history, or if you have any other concerns, the doctor/nurse may ask if they can examine your genital area to look for other STIs (such as pubic lice, genital warts or herpes) and to take swabs (like a cotton bud) from your genitals (cervix, anus, penis) to test for STIs such as gonorrhoea. They will not do this without your permission, and it will not cause any pain.

7. I am a GLBTI and I don’t want to see a doctor but I’m worried about Chlamydia, what can I do?

It’s well known that all young people (regardless of their sexuality) experience many barriers to seeking health care, including fears about confidentiality, lack of trust in the doctor or nurse, embarrassment about discussing personal issues, cost and transport. For a young person who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, these barriers can be even more difficult to cross. GLBTI have often experienced discrimination, harassment or bullying – at home, school or in the workplace. There is good news though: firstly, health professionals must legally maintain confidentiality for all clients they see (unless there is a serious safety concern such as suicide risk or child abuse). It’s also OK to ask for a Chlamydia test without disclosing personal information that you’re not comfortable about – you will need to trust the health professional you see before you’re willing to tell them more about yourself. There are also great websites and telephone advice lines that GLBTI young people can access to share their experiences and get more advice. Try the Gay and Lesbian Victoria clearinghouse for a huge number of resources and links: http://www.glhv.org.au/?q=clearinghouse

8. What are the main symptoms for men with Chlamydia?

Many men are asymptomatic when infected with Chlamydia (they do not notice any unusual changes/problems in their genitals). The changes men do notice include a watery or pus-like discharge from the penis, usually 1-3 weeks after infection. If infected in the rectum (bum) most men are asymptomatic, although sometimes they may notice an anal discharge or feel pain when defaecating (when doing a poo). Nearly all throat Chlamydial infections are asymptomatic.

9. What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is usually asymptomatic, that is people do not usually notice there is a problem with their genitals, or if they do, it is often put down to something else. These unrecognised symptoms in women include: irregular periods, pelvic discomfort, pain with penetrative sexual intercourse, bleeding after sexual intercourse, vaginal bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle, and unfortunately, difficulty becoming pregnant.

Symptoms in men, go to Question 4. .

10. What are the complications of Chlamydia?

If Chlamydia is not properly treated it can cause serious complications. In women these include:

• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is when the reproductive organs that are found in the pelvis become inflamed;
• pelvic adhesions and chronic (ongoing) pelvic pain;
• infertility due to damage to the fallopian tubes (by scar tissue)
• ectopic pregnancy (when the pregnancy develops in the fallopian tubes instead of in the uterus).

In men complications include:

• ongoing inflammation and scarring in the urethra or epididymis that can lead to infertility

In women and men complications include:

• arthritis
• conjunctivitis and uveitis (eye inflammation)
• proctitis (inflammation of the rectum).

11. Do women catch this STI more often than men?

We know that more women than men get diagnosed with Chlamydia. There could be a few reasons for this. One is that women are more likely to visit the doctor for other things such as contraception and Pap smears, and so they might get tested for Chlamydia more often. There could be a lot of young men out there with Chlamydia who have not been tested! But another reason is that young women are more vulnerable to Chlamydia - the bacteria can penetrate the cells on a young woman's cervix more easily compared to an older woman. So it's possible that women are more likely to catch Chlamydia. A third reason for the higher rates in women is that most women don't get symptoms, and don't know that they have the infection. Because they don't get symptoms they might not think about asking for a Chlamydia test, which means they carry it around, and possibly give it to their sexual partners without realising it. Men who get Chlamydia are more likely to get a painful discharge from the penis, and so might take themselves to a doctor more quickly, get treatment early and be cured.

12. What is the best protection from contracting an STI or Chlamydia?

The best protection against getting an STI (including Chlamydia) is to use condoms every time you have sex with your partner. This will protect both of you from most STIs. Some STIs, such as genital warts and herpes, can still be passed on with skin contact, not just in body fluids. Condoms will still provide you with good protection against these STIs.

Some people choose to stop using condoms after they have been in a steady relationship for a while. If this sounds like something you would like to do, it is a good idea for both people to have a check-up for STIs from their GP or Sexual Health Dr/nurse, and think about using another form of contraception.

13. How often should you be tested for Chlamydia?

Good question! This depends on your lifestyle. If you have been having sex for a while, and not using condoms, it would be a good idea to have one soon. If you feel like there is something not-quite-right with your genitals, it would also be a good idea to have a check-up sooner rather than later.

Having a check-up after a relationship ends means you will know that you are healthy before starting another sexual relationship. It is now recommended that young people have a test for Chlamydia each year if they are sexually active. If you are changing partners fairly frequently, say every few weeks or months, you probably should get checked more often.

14. Is it serious?

Chlamydia won't kill you, but it can have a very large impact on your life. Unfortunately some people will have ongoing problems from their Chlamydia, (see complications). Other people may have their Chlamydia treated successfully and experience no physical or relationship difficulties as a result of their Chlamydia.

It is best to be checked every year if you are sexually active and under 25 years of age.

15. What support services are there?

People react differently to the diagnosis of Chlamydia or another STI. An STI diagnosis can impact a person physically, emotionally and mess with their relationships. Some people deal with the situation in a matter-of-fact manner, requiring accurate information, and to know their condition is curable and not life-threatening.

Other people are able to deal with their diagnosis by talking to a trusted friend or family member- mum, dad, brother etc.

Yet others feel immense anger, guilt or embarrassment with the diagnosis, and may need to talk to a counsellor at a Sexual Health Clinic about their diagnosis, to discuss how it has impacted their life, and how to deal with the situation, and any stigma they may be feeling.

16. How do I tell my partner/s?

This is a really important question. It's important for people who test positive for Chlamydia to inform their sexual partners so they can attend their doctor or clinic for testing and treatment, too. This can be done in a couple of ways. If you are able to talk to your partner about tricky issues and trust they won't be nasty about your news, then a heart-to-heart discussion would be the way to go. It can be really difficult to know where the infection came from anyway, and so it's important not to blame each other.

If you don't see your partner any more, or are unsure of how they might react, you could ask your doctor or nurse to do the contacting for you. This is called contact tracing, and is done in a confidential manner. The partner is called or sent a letter where they are told they may have come into contact with a sexually transmitted disease, and should see their GP or clinic for further testing/treatment. No name is provided to tell them who "gave" them the infection, or when it may have occurred.

17. Should I be ashamed of asking my GP that I want to get tested?

No, there is no need to be ashamed! Sexuality is a wonderful part of life. Asking for STI testing shows you are taking care and responsibility for your health, and that of your partner/s. If you feel uncomfortable asking your GP for testing, maybe you can look on the links for other services in your area that may be able to provide you with Chlamydia testing. All testing by GPs and Sexual Health clinics are confidential.

18. Is it curable?

Yes! Chlamydia is easily treated with a single dose of a specific antibiotic. You need to make sure your current sexual partner/s is/are also treated at the same time, to prevent reinfection. It's also a good idea to go back to your doctor/clinic 3 months after the treatment to have another check-up to make sure there are no complications.

19. What happens if I am reinfected?

Re-infection can be a big problem. The human body's immune system will try to fight the Chlamydia bacteria. The first time the body fights Chlamydia, it makes "memory cells". These memory cells are stored so that if Chlamydia attacks the body again later, it's ready to fight against this germ faster and stronger. The downside of this is that this stronger immune reaction can lead to damage of the delicate tubes of the genital system in both men and women. The damage tends to be worse in women. This may lead to problems with fertility, or the ability to become pregnant.

It is very important for young people to have a check-up 3 months after any treatment for Chlamydia to make sure they have not been reinfected..

20. Is it guaranteed that I will get Chlamydia if my sexual partner has it?

If your partner has tested positive to Chlamydia, and you have not been using condoms, there is a very good chance that you will catch the infection. There is no real way to know until you have testing done. Do not assume that you don't have Chlamydia if you haven't noticed any symptoms- most Chlamydia infections are silent. Even if you have been using condoms 100%, it is still recommended that you see your GP or clinic for testing and have the treatment for Chlamydia infection anyway.

21. How accurate is the Chlamydia test? Is there a chance it could get the diagnosis wrong?

Today we have very sophisticated ways of checking for Chlamydia using a simple urine test. When a person collects urine in a sample jar to be sent for testing, some of the genetic material of the chlamydia bacteria will fall into the jar. The “Chlamydia PCR (polymerase chain reaction)” test will detect even the tiniest amount of genetic material of chlamydia in the urine. Large scientific studies show that this test is 99.7% accurate in diagnosing Chlamydia infection. This means that there is almost no chance that the diagnosis will be wrong - the results are extremely accurate.

22. What happens if chlamydia is not treated properly – is there a chance it can just clear up in its own?

There is a small chance it will clear up on its own, but once someone is infected, it’s a mystery as to how the disease will progress. There is no way of being sure you’ll be in that minority group. If Chlamydia is not treated properly, even if you have no symptoms it can still lead to serious consequences for both men and women. An important example is the possibility of becoming infertile, which means they won’t be able to have kids. So even if there is a possibility the infection will get better on its own, it is extremely important that Chlamydia is treated properly to stop these complications from happening.

23. I have only ever had one partner who swears he has never had chlamydia. Does this mean I have no chance of having it myself?

There is still a chance you may have Chlamydia and this is because it is usually asymptomatic – this means that even if someone is infected, they usually do not notice there is a problem with their genitals. So if he has been infected and doesn’t know it, there is a chance it will be passed on to you if you have sexual contact with him. The only real way of knowing whether you have Chlamydia is if you are tested yourself.

24. If I’ve been treated for Chlamydia before, does this mean that I am protected from getting it again in the future?

Just because you have been successfully treated in the past does not mean that you are protected from becoming infected with Chlamydia again in the future. With some infections, our body develops a strong immunity if we’ve been exposed to a particular germ and we don’t get it a second time (chicken pox is a good example). However this does not seem to happen with an infection like chlamydia and people can keep getting it over and over if they have unprotected sex with another infected person. If you have previously been treated for it, it is a good idea to see your GP for a 3-month check up just to make sure you have not been re-infected. But whether you’ve had it before or not, if you are sexually active and under 25, it’s still best to get checked every year and even more often if you are regularly changing partners.