Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that far too many people are too fearful or ashamed to talk about. As a result, misinformation runs rampant.
The truth is that chlamydia is one of the most commonly diagnosed STIs in the United States. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Chlamydia and How Common Is It?
Chlamydia is an STI caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis, which people primarily transmit via oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
Chlamydia contraction rates are high, with an estimated 128.5 million new infections globally in 2020 alone. In the United States, there are about 1.5 million new cases reported annually.
A Quick Overview of Chlamydia
Chlamydia symptoms can start to appear on the genitals, throat, or rectum one to three weeks after infection. However, for many people, chlamydia is asymptomatic.
Those who do encounter symptoms might experience:
- Burning sensations during urination
- Pain and discomfort
- Bleeding
Symptoms for people with vaginas might include:
- Changes in vaginal discharge
- Bleeding after sex
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Pain in lower abdomen or pelvis
Meanwhile, those with penises might experience:
- Clear or cloudy penis discharge
- Testicle pain
How Chlamydia Is Transmitted
Sexual contact is the main way that chlamydia passes from an infected person to an uninfected one. More specifically, transmission is possible when an infected person’s secretions come into contact with mucous membranes (the soft, moist skin surrounding the body’s openings).
Contrary to what you might have heard, chlamydia doesn’t spread casually. It’s pretty contagious through sex. However, the odds of transmission outside sex, like getting chlamydia from sitting on a toilet seat, are virtually zero!
Understanding the Chances of Transmission
Transmission rates of chlamydia are about 4.5 to 40% for each unprotected sexual act. However, your risks depend on many different factors.
Naturally, unprotected sex increases those risks, and the chances of getting chlamydia could increase with repeated exposure.
Can You Get Chlamydia From Being Fingered?
Fingering is considered a relatively low-risk act, but if there are any cuts or broken skin on the fingers, exercise caution. The risk of passing along chlamydia increases with these factors, though it is still low.
Clearing Up a Common Question
A partner can touch themselves before touching you, increasing potential chlamydia transmission rates. One study that involved men who have sex with men also found that saliva can be a source of infection, especially when used as a lubricant or in rimming. However, the risk is still lower and less well established than penetrative sex.
What Are the Chances of Getting Chlamydia From One Encounter?
As mentioned earlier, the average chlamydia transmission rate is up to 40% for a single unprotected sexual act. Some studies suggest that male-to-female transmissions are higher than female-to-male, but research is ongoing. Other studies indicate that the risk varies based on the type of sex you have. For example, in one study involving men only, rectal chlamydia was more common than infections in the throat or penis.
Risk Depends on Protection and Exposure
Ultimately, your risks depend heavily on whether you use protection or not. Without protection, exposure to chlamydia increases. That’s especially true if you have multiple or new partners.
How to Prevent Chlamydia
One of the best ways to prevent chlamydia is to use protection and communicate with all partners. Have those crucial discussions openly, and use protection correctly.
Safe Sex and Testing Go Hand in Hand
You should also get tested regularly. The CDC recommends that healthy adults get tested at least once annually. If you’re sexually active or you have multiple partners, consider testing more like every three to six months.
With regular testing, you can receive treatment earlier and help limit chlamydia’s spread. Pair regular testing with protected sex, and you can have all the fun you want while staying healthy.
Why Regular Testing Matters
Here’s the thing about chlamydia: Most cases don’t come with any symptoms at all. Some refer to chlamydia as the “silent infection” because many don’t even realize they’ve contracted it. Roughly half of men and up to 75% of women experience no noticeable symptoms.
Chlamydia is still transmissible without symptoms. So, you could unknowingly spread the infection to your partners.
Failing to receive treatment for chlamydia can also lead to further health concerns. These include:
- Reactive arthritis
- Urethritis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Pregnancy complications
- Testicle inflammation
- Sepsis
- Infertility
Early Detection Protects You and Your Partners
Early detection and good communication are key to protecting yourself and your partners. Ideally, you want to treat this STI as early as possible to prevent it from spreading and causing potential long-term complications. The only way to prevent it effectively is to get tested often.
Chlamydia is pretty easy to treat, with most cases resolving after a course of antibiotics. With one or two weeks of antibiotics and old-school abstinence, you’ll be as good as new.
Did you know that you can even take action to stop a chlamydia infection from taking hold at all? Doxy PEP is a course of antibiotics you can take shortly after having unprotected sex. When taken within 72 hours, it may help prevent bacterial infections, such as chlamydia, from occurring in the first place.
Please note: MISTR currently offers DoxyPEP only as a precursor to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV). It’s not available as a standalone service for STI prevention.
Talk to a Provider or Get Tested Online
If you’re worried about a potential chlamydia infection after a recent hookup, don’t fret. Stay calm, take a deep breath, and turn to MISTR.
Through MISTR’s telehealth platform, you can get all the support you need quickly and discreetly, all without judgment. Ask all your questions and get a free at-home STD testing kit delivered to your door. Mail in your sample, and receive your results online.
It’s that simple—no awkward clinic visits or difficult in-person conversations. MISTR’s providers are here to help, providing guidance and support, no matter how your test results come in.
Taking Charge of Your Sexual Health
Live your best life without compromising your sexual health. With MISTR, taking control and looking after yourself has never been easier. The MISTR platform connects you to licensed physicians from the comfort of your home. Receive judgment-free support, education, and empowerment on your terms.
Whether you’ve noticed symptoms, have been with a partner who has been diagnosed with chlamydia, or simply have questions about keeping yourself safe, there’s no replacement for speaking with a medical professional. Testing is private and confidential with MISTR. We offer at-home test kits and gonorrhea medicine, and we send them straight to your door.
With MISTR, you can explore prescription HIV prevention, STI testing, and even post-exposure treatments like DoxyPEP as part of your PrEP journey.