Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) found in both men and women. Even though it’s the STI many people will have had, most people won’t know they have it. The only way to find out is to get tested.
- The good news: testing is easy and treatment is simple.
- The bad news: ignoring a chlamydia infection may lead to problems.
So, if you think you might have been exposed, have a test and get treated early.
Chlamydia Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth
Chlamydia symptoms & the potential complications of undetected or untreated infection
Because it is often a silent infection, the only way to be sure you don’t have chlamydia is to get a test. However, not all infections are silent, and even silent infections can lead to complications. Below are some of the more common symptoms and complications people may experience.
In men, chlamydia can cause:
- stinging or burning when passing urine
- discharge from the penis
- redness around the eye of the penis
- sore testicles
In women, chlamydia can cause:
- vaginal discharge that is not usual for you
- pain when passing urine
- bleeding or spotting between periods
- pain or bleeding with sex
- pelvic pain
Rectal infections are even less likely to cause symptoms, but can result in:
- Discharge from the anus
- Rectal pain
- Bleeding
It’s unusual to have any symptoms with chlamydial throat infections. Eye infections usually lead to irritation, redness and discharge.
Whether or not you have symptoms, it’s important to get tested and treated. If untreated, infections can lead to more serious complications.
Complications which can occur with a chlamydia infection:
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- chronic pelvic pain
- ectopic pregnancy
- infertility
- epididymo-orchitis, a painful infection of the testicles
- sexually acquired reactive arthritis
- Pain and inflammation around the liver in women
To prevent these problems and protect your health, get tested. Chlamydia testing is simple and easy at our sexual health clinic in Joondalup. We will make sure you get the tests you need.
STI Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth
How common is chlamydia?
STI Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth
Who should get tested for chlamydia?
Our STI clinic in Joondalup, recommends chlamydia testing for anyone:
- with symptoms of chlamydia (their partners should get tested as well)
- whose current or former partner suggests they get tested
- who has had unprotected sex with a new partner
- with a partner who has other partners
- starting a new relationship (all partners should get tested).
- three months after being treated for chlamydia
Younger people, men who have sex with men, & Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have higher rates of chlamydia and should consider whether regular chlamydia testing might be a good idea. When you come to an appointment, our team would be happy to discuss if this could be a good idea for you.
STI Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth
What does a test involve?
We offer easy and quick STI testing for chlamydia. However, the STI tests our specialists will organise depend on the types of sex you have. We will test for chlamydia from all the body sites where you have sex, this may include penile/urethral, vaginal, oral and anal samples. You may be asked to collect a urine sample, take a swab from the vagina, throat or anus. If you have no symptoms, these swabs can often be done by yourself in a toilet. For patients with symptoms, we will examine you to exclude complicated infections. Unfortunately, chlamydia cannot be detected on routine blood testing.
After a potential sexual risk exposure, how soon should I have a test?
We recommend that people should be tested whenever they feel they might have chlamydia. It is best not to put off having the test. If chlamydia is present, it can sometimes be detected soon after exposure. However, we will discuss whether it could be important to retest for chlamydia in 2 weeks, as it can take that long for the infection to be detected in your body.
STI Testing | Walk-in Sexual Health Clinic Perth
How to treat and prevent getting chlamydia again
When you have chlamydia or just want a check-up, quality sexual health care is more than just “pee in a specimen jar” and take this script on your way out the door. At Sexual Health North:
- We tailor the appropriate STI screening based on your individual needs.
- If an infection is found or suspected, we aim to provide hassle-free treatment, on location.
- We know it can be difficult to tell partners about a chlamydia infection. Our understanding STI specialists will help you with strategies to get your partners tested and treated.
- We discuss ways to avoid getting the infection back again.
- We recommend when you should have another chlamydia test and discuss whether regular STI screening is right for you.
- We also cover other important topics such as sexual health vaccinations, cervical screening, and HIV prevention strategies/PrEP.
Sexual Health Physicians for Perth metro area
Sexual health clinic Joondalup
At Sexual Health North in Joondalup, sexual health medicine is what we do. We know STIs and offer expert diagnosis and treatment. We know the latest trends and issues around the globe, around Australia, and around Perth.
Most importantly, we know how to take care of people who have STIs or who just want to look after their sexual health.
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3/5 Regent's Park Road,
Joondalup 6027
Opening hours
Monday : 8.30 am - 1.00 pm
Tuesday : Closed
Wednesday : 9.00 am - 7.00 pm
Thursday : Closed
Friday : 9.00 am - 7.00 pm
Saturday : 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Sunday : Closed