Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacteria. In women, Chlamydia causes infection in the cervix, urinary tract and pelvic organs and can cause women to become infertile (unable to have a child).

What causes Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is usually passed from one person to another during sex or close contact with the genitals or rectum. When a baby is born, if the mother has a Chlamydia infection, the baby can get an eye or lung infection from the mother.

What are common symptoms of Chlamydia in a woman?

Many women do not have symptoms and do not know that they have the infection. Some women who have Chlamydia may have vaginal discharge or drainage, mild pain when urinating, abdominal pain, unusual menstrual bleeding or pain with sex.

How can Chlamydia be prevented?

• Your care provider will ask you questions about your medical and sexual history and then do a pelvic exam. Tests may be done on the urine or fluid from the cervix (the opening to the womb). You may have to wait up to a week to get your test results. Your care provider may start you on medicine before the test results come back.
  
  
• Chlamydia is cured with medicine. Take all of the medicine as written on the bottle, even if your symptoms go away.
  
  
• If you are pregnant, ask your nurse or doctor for additional information.
  
  
• If you do not take the medicine for Chlamydia, there is a chance that the bacteria may move into your uterus or other organs. This can cause you to have pelvic pain that does not go away, to become sterile (unable to have a child) or to have a tubal pregnancy.
  
  
• Tell your sexual partner(s) to go to their doctor or clinic and get treated. It is very important that any person that you have had sex with in the last 2 months take the medicine.
  
  
• Follow the instructions from your care provider if follow up visits are needed.
  
  
• Do not have sex until you and your partner(s) have taken all of the medicine and your care provider says it is safe.
  
  
• To lower your risk of getting an STD or HIV, always use latex condoms when you have sex