Chlamydia Symptoms In Men

Chlamydia Symptoms In Men

What Are The Signs Of Chlamydia In Men?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by chlamydia trachomatis, which is a microscopic bacterium. Many people who are infected with the disease have little to no symptoms, which is why it is sometimes known as the silent disease. It is estimated that up to half of men with chlamydia have no idea that they are carrying it.

Typical Symptoms

As mentioned, a lot of men with chlamydia do not experience symptoms. For those that do, however, the symptoms can be intermittent. When the symptoms seemingly go away on their own, many men believe that they no longer have any kind of infection that they need to worry about.

The most common symptoms include an abnormal discharge from the penis. This discharge can be watery, white or cloudy. Another common symptom is a burning sensation during urination. In fact, any sort of pain during urination is a sign of chlamydia. The third most common symptom of chlamydia is pain in the testicles, especially tenderness.

These symptoms will typically show up within three weeks of exposure to chlamydia. Chlamydia symptoms in men are not strictly in the genital area, though, because chlamydia also occurs in the throat, rectum and eyes, depending on how it was transmitted.

Other chlamydia symptoms include rectal discharge, rectal pain and even bleeding. Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is also a symptom. Throat infections are also a sign that you may have chlamydia.

Diagnosis

The easiest way to determine whether or not you have a infection is to get a chlamydia test at any std testing center. Chlamydia is the most common STD in the United States, so it is a good idea to get tested regularly if you are sexually active. As was mentioned earlier, it is possible to be infected with chlamydia without realizing it. This is true of as many as half of the men who carry the disease. Any time you have a new sexual partner or participate in any kind of activity that could expose you to a chlamydia infection, getting tested quickly is the best course of action.

Effects Of the Disease

Chlamydia can cause infertility if it is not treated. It damages sperm and scars the reproductive tract. It also damages your sperm in ways that can make birth defects prevalent.

Chlamydia can also affect you in non-sexual ways. You can get recurring pink eye, reactive arthritis and rheumatological conditions.

Chlamydia Treatment In Men

Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotic that you will be prescribed will depend on your personal history, but doctors will be able to find something that will work for you. The most common antibiotic that is used is called azithromycin.