KissMeGoodnight eLearning Series:
Your Sexual Health

What Is Chlamydia? A Trend In Teens

Stores now sell an at-home test for chlamydia, which is good thing because a teenager is not likely to make a doctor’s visit to find out if they have this sexually transmitted disease. It is hard enough being a teenager with all they go through. Teenagers embarrass easily and the sheer thought of having possibly contracted a disease ranks right up there with everything else they will not confide in any adult. Because of the possibility of not seeing a doctor when they think they should, chlamydia will only get worse.

This disease does not announce its arrival. It sneaks in through, mimicking other symptoms that do not seem as severe, such as urinary tract infections. If the teenager or adult mistakes these symptoms and does not make a medical appointment, they may choose to purchase an over-the-counter medication. Sometimes the symptoms of chlamydia may actually subside. This gives the false sense that you have taken care of the embarrassing problem, only you have not. The symptoms will resurface and this time will be more intense than the last time. Eventually you will have to make an appointment with your doctor, so you are better off to do it at the beginning of symptoms rather than later.

Chlamydia is spread from person to person through sexual contact, either through the vaginal or anus. This infection is a bacterium. The danger you pose to other sexual partners is that you may not be aware you have this disease or have misdiagnosed the symptoms. If you have tried to treat it yourself and you have not told any of your sexual partners, you have now put them at risk of the disease. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, they will then spread the disease to whom ever they sleep with and it begins to spiral out of control.

If you think you may have chlamydia, some symptoms that you may notice include a yellowish vaginal discharge for women and a penile discharge for men. You may also experience some pelvic pain as the symptoms worsen. If you choose not to treat chlamydia and simply ignore it, women run the risk of infertility and men can experience a very comfortable infection in the testes or prostate.

Chlamydia is spread through unsafe sexual behavior with another infected person. The risk is increased through engaging in high-risk behavior with more than one partner. The chance of becoming infected with chlamydia can be reduced by avoiding risky sexual behaviors. To reduce your risk you should use latex or polyurethane condoms during sex and limit your sexual partners.

In women, symptoms of chlamydia may include a yellowish vaginal discharge, bleeding after intercourse, spot bleeding in between your cycles, and pelvic pain. Symptoms of chlamydia in men may include a yellowish discharge from the penis and when urinating, you may experience burning, and testicles are painful or swollen.

In women, untreated chlamydia can spread into the pelvic area and infect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) the symptoms of PID include abdominal pain, lower back pain, pain with intercourse, spot bleeding between your cycles, and a high temperature. In men, untreated chlamydia can affect the testicles, leading to swelling and pain along with infertility. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious disease and does require medical attention. It may cause permanent damage to a woman's reproductive organs and can lead to infertility.

What is the impact of chlamydia on pregnancy? Chlamydia can cause early labor and delivery and can be passed from mother to baby during birth. If a newborn were to be infected with chlamydia, they can develop conjunctivitis and pneumonia. If the infant does not receive treatment for this, there can be serious and permanent damage to the eyes.

The diagnosis of chlamydia is done through a laboratory with a urine sample you give to your doctor or a swab taken of the cervix. If you are a man, either a urine sample or a swab of your urethra will be taken.

Is there a treatment or cure for chlamydia? Chlamydia can be easily treated and cured with antibiotics. Often if you have chlamydia, there is a high probability that you have contracted gonorrhea also so you would be treated for both at the same time.

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KissMeGoodnight.com : 2006

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