Chlamydia is known to be a sexually transmitted infection or STI that is caused by a small bacterium whose presence can be identified by chlamydia screening. It is the most common STI in the UK and it affects both sexes, but young women are at more risk.In 2009 there have been 216,000 people infected; 130,000 of which women and 80,000 men, but it is also known that there have been many more cases.
Also the doctors are warming us that tens of thousands of other people might as well have the infection but they aren’t aware of it.Screening for chlamydia has shown that in certain parts of the UK 10-20% of the young adults have been infected by the bacteria.
The infection is relatively easy to cure, but in case there is no screening for chlamydia, it could be undetected since there are no signs or symptoms.

In case the infection isn’t treated, there could be some serious complications. According to a recent study, in case of women the untreated infection may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, also known as PID. Due to this condition the genital organs can be permanently damaged. As a result, women could become sterile and they could have long-term pain.


As it has been mentioned, usually there are no symptoms and this is why chlamydia screening is so important. Nonetheless some women may experience cystitis, mild lower abdominal pain or change in the vaginal discharge.

Remember that these are non-specific symptoms and they could be caused by other conditions as well. In case you see a doctor because of these symptoms, make sure that you will have screening for chlamydia. You also have the right to ask for chlamydia screening in case it isn’t offered to you.

In case of men, the infection could cause discharge from the penis. Also in some cases it could cause a mild irritation at the tip of the penis that soon disappears. Men usually wait for the discomfort to go away, and while it could disappear it doesn’t mean that the infection has also disappeared. In case you have any doubts, you should be screened for chlamydia. Otherwise your testicles could get inflamed and swollen and you could also pass the infection to your partner.

Recently it has been found that chlamydia could also affect the eyes. If you have conjunctivitis on one eye that just doesn’t go away despite of the treatment that you have been given by your doctor, you should get chlamydia screening to be sure.


As it has been mentioned before, if you don’t get screened for chlamydia and you have it, you could get PID. This damages the Fallopian tubes that carry the eggs from the ovaries to the womb. Because of the infection, the tubes might not work properly or they could get totally blocked.

In the same time through chlamydia screening you could avoid getting salpingitis that is a painful inflammation of the Fallopian tubes. Is this enough reason for you to get tested?